“In the Red Room” is a short narrative by Paul Bowles that involves a man escorting his elderly parents around Sri Lanka. His mother meets a young man who later invites them to his villa. Nonetheless, they have no idea about the young adult’s intention. They even spent some tense moments alone in a peculiar red room before leaving. Surprisingly, the narrator finds out that their host was a deranged person who shot his young bride in the red room and enjoys reliving the scene.
Bowles has used the story to educate people about issues experienced in the community. The theme of trust is a major concept in the tale since the narrator and his parents agree to follow the young man to his villa without knowing his intention. However, the killing of his young bride shows that the characterizes them for other reasons. Additionally, Hannah, the narrator’s mother, states that “that room had a particular meaning for him. It was like a sort of shrine” (Bowles 10). Therefore, readers can learn that they should avoid trusting all people since some individuals may have wicked objectives. Bowles organizes the information to ensure that the audience understands the message being conveyed. For instance, the introduction is well structured, whereby readers familiarize themselves with the characters.
The concept of caring for the family is also depicted in the story. In this case, the man cares for his elderly parents and escorts them around Sri Lanka, which shows his attention. The parents also demonstrate affection for their son since they had traveled to Sri Lanka to see him. Therefore, Bowels has used the story to show the importance of a family. Therefore, the key idea of the story can appeal to most readers.
Reference
Bowles, Paul. In the Red Room. Sylvester & Orphanos, 1981.