Comedy vs. Tragedy

Comedy and tragedy are repeating concepts through every chapter of this novel. Through Emilio Sandoz and this varied group of people selected for the Rakhat mission, the novel presents comedy and tragedy congruently. One does not exist without the other, either serving as catalyst or outcome. The main character, Emilio Sandoz is known in his early life for his sense of humor. It is this that makes everyone gravitate to him, thus sparking the friendships that lead to the Rakhat mission. Before Sandoz meets most of the main characters in the novel, he has been placed in yet another job that unrelated to his gift as a linguist.

It is here that the reader is introduced to comedy within tragedy in Sandoz' world. "Sandoz was asked to report to John Carroll University...not to take up a post as a professor of linguistics, but to cooperate...