Out in the middle of Africa with only two friends, looking to find his father, he sits among endless hills. One would think that the war was over but in fact it is not. While the government has taken hostages and has gained control; people can't enter the main city, as it is on watch. Knowing that your father has been executed or is in a dungeon, you are full of fear. This could be what is going through Paul's head in the book AK by Peter Dickinson. Reading this book it is easy to sense that the ending will be bad, as it appears to be a tragedy when looking at the symbols and plot.
On Page 94, Paul is walking at night due to the day's scorching sun. similar to bad weather, night is also a sign of tragedy. There is also a sign of death because one of Paul's friends; left their family so now a relationship has died. Death is also a sign of tragedy. One more example of death in the story is that Paul doesn’t know if his dad is even alive. In the book what seems good isn't at all what they think. One example is the war was over but that was just to bring people to peace and stop the fighting, so that they could take control.
After looking at the symbols the book clearly appears to be a tragedy, but it needs to fit the plot as well. This book follows the plot line of a tragedy starting out with nothing. Next the rise to power when the war was over. After the agreement the other side wanted more power and that was the tragic flaw. When the other side took over it acts as the tragic fall. So to predict that Paul or his dad will die is not a stretch.
Now Paul sits all alone and in distress because everyone he ever loved is gone. He sits once again among the endless hills trying to forget what has happened and find a better place. Once someone reaches about half way through the book one can sense that it is a tragedy. The end for Paul will not be great, but there is no way to stop this horrid end.
