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Vasantha's Moral Dilemma in "Fluke"

In 'Fluke' by Romesh Gunesekera, set in post-war Sri Lanka, Vasantha, a small business owner, attends a marketing conference where he grapples with a moral dilemma after snooping on Mr. Weerakoon, a presenter. The story focuses on Vasantha's internal conflict between offering advice based on unethical knowledge and the fear of exposure. The ending remains ambiguous, highlighting the complexities of his situation and the ethical implications of his actions.

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Larry Lambertoo
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367 views2 pages

Vasantha's Moral Dilemma in "Fluke"

In 'Fluke' by Romesh Gunesekera, set in post-war Sri Lanka, Vasantha, a small business owner, attends a marketing conference where he grapples with a moral dilemma after snooping on Mr. Weerakoon, a presenter. The story focuses on Vasantha's internal conflict between offering advice based on unethical knowledge and the fear of exposure. The ending remains ambiguous, highlighting the complexities of his situation and the ethical implications of his actions.

Uploaded by

Larry Lambertoo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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"Fluke" by Romesh Gunesekera is set in post-war Sri Lanka, a nation rebuilding

and focusing on economic growth. This backdrop is important, as it subtly


underscores the themes of opportunity and prosperity that are woven into
Vasantha's personal narrative. The specific setting is a marketing conference, likely
in a modern hotel or business center, symbolizing the shift towards a more
business-oriented society. The conference itself becomes a microcosm of this new
Sri Lanka, where individuals like Vasantha are striving for success.

The story centers around Vasantha, a small business owner who has achieved a
measure of success. He attends the marketing conference, where he observes a
presentation by Mr. Weerakoon. Weerakoon's presentation is described as being
full of jargon and buzzwords, but lacking in substance. Vasantha, confident in his
own business acumen, feels that Weerakoon's strategies are weak and outdated. He
believes he could offer Weerakoon some valuable advice. This forms the initial
plot point: Vasantha's growing confidence and his perceived ability to help
Weerakoon.

However, a crucial event has occurred prior to the conference. Vasantha, driven by
curiosity or perhaps a sense of entitlement, had snooped through Weerakoon's
phone. He now possesses private information about Weerakoon, knowledge that he
acquired unethically. This act of intrusion becomes the pivotal point of the story,
introducing a significant moral dilemma.

The plot then focuses on Vasantha's internal struggle. He is torn between his desire
to share his expertise and help Weerakoon, and the fear of revealing his
transgression. If he offers advice, Weerakoon might deduce that Vasantha knows
more about him than he should, leading to embarrassment, anger, or a breakdown
in their professional relationship. Conversely, if Vasantha remains silent, he risks
feeling guilty for withholding potentially useful information and for the underlying
violation of privacy.

The story doesn't progress through a series of external events. Instead, the plot is
driven by Vasantha's internal conflict. The tension builds as he weighs his options,
considering the potential consequences of each choice. The narrative focuses on
his thoughts and feelings, revealing his discomfort and the ethical dimensions of
his actions. The conference itself serves as a stage for this internal drama, with
Weerakoon's presentation acting as a catalyst for Vasantha's reflections.

The ending of "Fluke" is open. Vasantha is left on the cusp of making a decision.
The reader doesn't know whether he will offer his advice and risk exposing his
snooping, or whether he will remain silent and keep his secret. This ambiguity is
intentional, forcing the reader to consider the complexities of the situation and the
weight of Vasantha's moral dilemma. The story's resolution lies not in a concrete
outcome, but in the exploration of Vasantha's internal struggle and the ethical
questions it raises.

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