Governmental Oppression

The theme of oppression is most present in the stories “Fast Forward,” “Mad Country,” and “America the Great Equalizer.” The first two stories take place in Nepal, the third in America, demonstrating that systemic oppression is just as prevalent in supposed first world, democratic countries. In “Fast Forward,” a journalist employed by the protagonist Shalini Malla is kidnapped (and likely murdered) after writing an article about the unlawful imprisonment and execution of a man by government forces. The government demands a retraction of the article, and Shalini refuses, resulting in the subsequent disappearance of the journalist. When discussing the article with a government official, Shalini points out that “Freedom of the press is essential in the smooth functioning of a democracy” (1), but this particular government is clearly not interested in a smooth functioning democracy. When Shalini returns to the official's office to demand information about...