Passion

Dahl explores passion for art and passion between people through the dialogue, symbolism, and narration in this story, and he does this in order to explore the difference between desire and necessity. In short, these characters have faults and desires, and they make decisions contrary to what is best for them, because these decisions are justified through their desires.

Drioli’s introductory scene in the story introduces Drioli’s passion for art. Drioli walks through the street, looking at the different shops, on page 517. Drioli’s reactions to each of these shops reveals information about Drioli’s life and personality. For example, when he smells the chicken, he feels “yearning” (517), showing that Drioli is starving. When Drioli ignores shops full of luxuries like antiques and silk shirts, the reader learns that Drioli does not care for luxuries or that Drioli cannot afford luxuries. However, when Drioli...