Why Is Ravi Unwilling to Join the Funeral Game in “Games at Twilight?”

Answer

Why is Ravi unwilling to join the funeral game in “Games at Twilight?”

Or what do You know about the funeral game in “Games at Twilight.”

or Comment on the funeral game in “Games at Twilight.”

In Anita Desai’s (1937-present) short story “Games at Twilight” (1978), Ravi wins the game of hide and seek, only to realize that the other children had forgotten he was still hiding. Ravi is unwilling to join the funeral game because he feels deeply hurt and insignificant after being forgotten by the other children.

Forgotten: Throughout the game of hide and seek, Ravi had dreamed of winning and earning glory. He hid in the dark, frightening shed for hours. He thought winning would make him special, describing “that would be thrilling beyond imagination.”

However, when he finally ran to the veranda, crying, “I won, I won,” he discovered that the other children had switched to the “funeral game” and completely forgotten about him. This crushed Ravi’s hopes and left him feeling insignificant.

Sense of Insignificance: When the children invited him to join the funeral game, Ravi felt it was meaningless to him. He wanted victory, but instead, he was forgotten by others. As a part of the funeral game, the children chant:

Will you remember me when I’m dead?

The song is ironic because Ravi was not remembered when he was hiding. Ravi lay face down on the grass. He is overwhelmed by “a terrible sense of his insignificance.”

In short, Ravi had wanted to feel proud and celebrated, but instead, he was left with the painful understanding that he could be forgotten easily, both in the game and in life.