Passivity

The theme of passivity is central to the novel, influencing key characters and shaping their arcs as they navigate the world of crime, deceit, and manipulation. Passivity, in the context of the novel, manifests as an inability or unwillingness to take control of one’s circumstances, often leading to moral compromise and further entrapment in destructive patterns. This theme is explored primarily through the contrasting experiences of Nicky and Dev, both of whom struggle with their own forms of passivity.

Nicky’s passivity is explored primarily through her romantic relationship with Doll as well as her interactions with the wider English family. At the outset, she is a teenager with little experience in the dangerous criminal underworld that surrounds her. Initially, she is drawn into the web of crime through her relationship with Doll, who himself is ensnared in the manipulations of the Ferdia brothers, Gabe...