The Wasp Factory

Introduction:
Murder and torture and two themes that are largely present in The Wasp Factory by Ian Banks. Both murder and torture are very dark and disturbing subjects. In society, an individual who carries out either of these acts is looked down upon and considered a criminal. One can never imagine themselves committing such an act or even forgiving somebody who has tortured or murdered someone. In The Wasp Factory, the main character Frank Cauldhame carries out the torture and killing of animals in many gruesome ways; not only that, but he has also killed three children, one of which was his brother. Despite these unforgivable acts that Frank has carried out, the reader finds themselves supporting and sympathizing with Frank. Frank's entire

Not having a healthy relationship with parents usually reflects in one's behaviour. In this novel, Ian Banks uses first person narrative to show Frank's unstable relationship with his parents, and is able to evoke sympathy from the reader. Sympathy is evoked in two ways; firstly, an unstable relationship with parents is bound to create sympathy due the universally accepted significance of parents in one's life. Furthermore, the topic of parents is very relatable, and pity is more likely to be felt when the reader can relate to the situation. After a conversation between Frank's father and Frank himself, the audience hears Frank's opinion on what his father said to him, "my father seemed to be trying to hurt me" (13). In general, when a character is hurt or verbally attacked, the reader will feel a sense of empathy towards the character as the reader is able to relate. One of the most important factors that affect a reader's ability to feel sympathy for a character is how well the reader is able to connect with this character. Being hurt by a father is not something everyone has necessarily experienced, but is definitely something everyone can imagine. The author again shows the state of Frank's relationship with his father when Frank says, "I wasn't going to ask him where he was going because he'd only lie" (26). Being lied to is something that obviously hurts. Being lied to hurts even more when it's from somebody an individual is close with especially a parent. This again has a sympathetic effect in the reader's mind. Yet again, the author uses first person narrative to show the bad relationship Frank has with his father when Franks tells this reader, "one of the few real presents he has ever given me" (51). Receiving gifts from loved ones is something people tend to look forward to; so here, when Frank narrates the fact that he rarely received gifts from his father, the audience will feel