Fear, Guilt, and Survival: A Socio-Psychological Analysis of Danny’s Dilemma in Aravind Adiga’s Amnesty

Abstract

Aravind Adiga’s Amnesty is a gripping socio-psychological investigation of the immigrant experience told via the story of Danny, an undocumented Sri Lankan residing in Sydney, Australia. The present research paper deals with the aspect of how the novel delves into the psychological difficulties of persons who live in legal and social limbo, always negotiating dread, guilt, and moral uncertainty, and it will also study how Danny’s identity and actions are shaped by dread of deportation, the burden of ethical quandaries, and the desire for survival, all of which are intertwined with his complicated psychological quandary. The paper also highlights how his fear is exacerbated by his awareness that his silence could have negative effects, demonstrating how cognitive dissonance and moral obligation interact to cause psychological strain in people facing such problems. The novel emphasizes the universal human need for security and belonging, as well as how these needs shape, and are affected by the hostile circumstances in which they exist. This paper will also analyze how the novel depicts the human cost of living in the shadows, emphasizing the severe emotional and psychological toll of continually balancing survival and morality.