The Drowned World

by J. G. Ballard

The Drowned World: Unreliable Narrator 1 key example

13. Too Soon, Too Late
Explanation and Analysis—Lenient Riggs:

There is a compelling example of situational irony in Chapter 13, which brings up the possibility that Kerans's perspective makes for an unreliable narrator. After Riggs rescues Kerans and Beatrice from Strangman, Kerans is confused about why Riggs is not punishing Strangman for killing Bodkin and attempting to kill Kerans and Beatrice:

‘Why don’t you arrest Strangman?’ he asked.

Riggs laughed shortly. ‘Because there’s absolutely nothing I can hold him on. Legally, as he full well knows, he was absolutely entitled to defend himself against Bodkin, kill him if necessary.’ When Kerans looked round over his shoulder in surprise he continued: ‘Don’t you remember the Reclaimed Lands Act and the Dykes Maintenance Regulations? They’re still very much in force. I know Strangman’s a nasty piece of work—with that white skin and his alligators—but strictly speaking he deserves a medal for pumping out the lagoon....'