Animal Imagery: In this chapter, animal imagery isn’t as prevalent as it is in the previous chapters. Unlike the animal imagery utilized in the previous chapters, the animal imagery used in this chapter is quite positive. While waiting for Nur to arrive, Said thinks that he’d “be better off like a bat” (p.213). Said implies that he’s been waiting in the darkness for so long that he has grown accustomed to the darkness, similar to how a bat spends the majority of its life waiting in the darkness. Towards the end of the chapter, Nur tells Said that she knows that “the guards at the zoo won’t let visitors tease the lion.” (p.216) By saying this, Nur compliments Said by connecting him to something strong and mighty, in the process, showing him how she views him and ergo, how much he means to her. The use of animal imagery in this chapter has been positive, more so the imagery related to the lion. But, why was there a sudden shift in the use of animal imagery from negative to positive?
Love: The other type of imagery prevalent in this chapter is related to love. Halfway through the chapter, Said tells himself that Nur will soon discover that “a locked heart becomes increasingly difficult to unlock.” (p.215) By doing so, Said ensures that he doesn’t get hurt by the next person who will try to ‘unlock’ his heart, since the last person who had ‘unlocked’ his heart hurt him emotionally. So, will Nur be the next woman who manages to ‘unlock’ Said’s heart? And if so, will she eventually hurt him emotionally?
Nur symbolizing Safety & Security in Said’s life
· “Stay here all your life, if you like.” (p.215)
· “Don’t worry; I’ll keep you hidden all right.” (p.216)
Tags: Animal Imagery, Love, Nur, Said, Security & Safety, Symbolism
March 3, 2009 at 2:32 pm
As stated, Nur symbolizes Safety and security, a source of love and care, “thats why I came to you instead of anybody else” (p216) Said had said to Nur, showing how she is some sort of importance to him.
The cemetery at the end of the chapter possibly suggests foreshadow, as it symbolizes death, Said being near by and looking over it suggests the direction in which his life may go in, and where it may end. “It looks over the cemetery, too” (p217)
Women in the novel seem to symbolize evil and hate or frustration because of the way Said speaks of them, even in this chapter “How sly she is!” (p216)