War and Weather
As you read through “Paranoia” by SaId Sayrafiezadeh one of the things that you notice throughout the story is the weather. The weather in Paranoia is an interesting detail that really adds to the tone of the story and adds another dimension to the writing. When we are first introduced to the characters in April the narrator tells us how it was starting to get warm and the war would soon come. As you read the story you notice the connection between the temperature and building of anticipation for war.
The story begins in April and the narrator recounts that “everyone said the war would happen soon” and that war would be unavoidable. Then the temperature began to rise, and May is described as “hot” but does not mention war until later. Rather we focus on the broken nose of the narrator’s friend Roberto.As the narrator is riding the bus to meet Roberto in the hospital despite the air condition and open windows does little he describe the terrible heat on the bus and sweating he is going through. Not only does Sayrafiezadeh describe the sweat, but also Sayrafiezadeh compares the torment of sitting in an incredibly hot bus to the anticipation of war experienced by soldiers preparing for transport into battle. This comparison is very interesting considering that we know the United States is preparing for war. How is sitting in a hot bus comparable to entering a war? The raising temperature is compared to the raising tensions as the country is preparing for war. As the story continues both the temperature and tension of war rise. The characters in the story also notice the rise of the temperature and constantly predict the upcoming temperature. “It’s going to be 100 degrees in August”.The predictions of the upcoming temperature are often accompanied with predictions of the war, and perhaps the possibility of an upcoming draft. When the narrator finally enters the hospital to meet Roberto, the air condition caught him by surprise and “froze” his sweat. In addition to the air condition, the hustle and bustle of the hospital remind the narrator of what a soldier probably feels like returning from a war. Again a change in temperature is connected to the idea of war, that once the heat stops so does the tension and preparation for war. The culmination of the rising happens when Roberto and the narrator attend a military parade on the Fourth of July. This does not seem like a coincidence that one of the hottest days described is also on Independence Day. During the parade the narrator and Robetero watch as soldiers both new and old pass by the crowd.
Finally in August which had been foreshadowed as the hottest month, did the mood change. Rather than continuing to warm up as it did i past months the temperature drastically changes and dropped three degrees each day. In addition to the drop of temperature the anticipation for war also dropped. Th war was in motion and was expected to move quickly “blink and you might miss this war.” In addition to the hospital scene it seemed that once the temperature changed so did the tensions. One thing that sticks in the minds of readers is the last scene where the narrator watches missiles move West and South. Perhaps the temperature wasn’t correct and the war would continue.
