Paranoia: Creator of Mental Instability and Isolation :: essays research papers

When Daru, a French schoolteacher, is forced to take in an Arab accused of murder, his mind suffers from paranoiac delusions. Darus doubts about the mental soundness of the Arab leave him feeling abnormally marooned and persecuted by unknown enemies. In The Teacher by Arnold Shiller, paranoia forms a self-imposed isolation and creates mental instability.Living in an isolated region of a French colony, perhaps Algeria, Daru does not feel alone. As a schoolteacher, his authorized state of solitude is created by a snowstorm, a force of genius he cannot control. Daru is aware of the people suffering from the snowstorm, such as his students, and unendingly mulls over their situation to entertain himself. though Daru lives in a outside schoolhouse, this harsh region is home to him because Everywhere else, he felt exiled (54). Though physically removed from people, Daru is mentally close and awaiting their return after the snowstorm ends. He cannot be isolated because humanity still envelops his home.Darus paranoia emerges when his adorer Balducci brings an Arab accused of murder to his schoolhouse. Daru immediately notices the unpleasant aspects of the Arab, such as his coarse lips, feverish eyes, and rebellious look, but he still unties the hands of the Arab with some compassion. When Balducci announces that Daru must deliver the Arab to Tinguit, Daru is surprised and reluctant to do so because it violates his principles. and Balduccis paranoia begins to infect Daru, and when Daru asks Is he against us?, Balducci replies with I dont think so. But you can never be sure (56). Daru curtly feels wrathful towards the Arab and all men for their spite, hates, and lusts, isolating himself from others through this new hatred. Thus, Daru silently accepts the pistol that Balducci hands over to him, realizing that it could be of use in the future, possibly for murder. Darus flash of wrath passes quickly, though, and he stands fast on his blockage not to hand over the Arab, preferring to insult Balducci rather than violate his beliefs. at a time Balducci leaves, Daru feels isolated, though the Arab sits on the floor, because he is afraid of the Arab who, without stirring, never took his eyes forth him (58). This paranoiac isolation makes Daru stick the revolver in his pocket as a confirmation of his fear, similar to Oedipa Maas useless search for human company as a confirmation of her isolation.