1. “My mother is my father’s first wife, and she lives in the family compound with other five wives, with whom she is friendly, even sisterly. Page 34
This quote occurs, when Deng, the protagonist begins to describe his perfect day, and how he goes home after a short day of school to one of his many mothers. Through this quote it is evident that the society in Sudan is open towards Polygamy, this social attitude towards women is further progressed throughout the novel as there are many cases of the abuse of woman littered throughout the novel. The society in this community is so comfortable with Polygamy, that even the children are happy to have multiple mothers living together with them. By this quote, we can determine that Deng is also a boy that wishes to have multiple wives in the future. This one of a few quotes, that is supposed to show the social norms in Sudan and to display the large gap in society between the richer, advanced, western countries, to the poorer, African country of Sudan.
2. “ – He was caught stealing. He was punished.
– It’s an outrage! This is not Sudanese justice.
– It is now. That’s the point. This is sharia. ”
This quote occurs as the civil war is about to start, as Sharia law is spreading throughout Sudan, when a man has his hand cut off for the reason that he has stolen a brick from his employer.
Sharia law is very much a set of rules set on people; these laws dictate how people live their lives. To this day, Sharia law exists throughout the Middle East and is especially existent in the poorer countries throughout Africa. Sharia law heavily favours men’s rights and infringe women’s rights. It is a primitive set of laws that is criticized throughout the world. Despite, the fact that the Sudanese justice system was already skewed before Sharia Law; people in Sudan are still terrified by the idea of Sharia law in Sudan. After this part in novel, the fear in Sudan of the upcoming Civil war is set in motion, where people in the village start escaping and fear the Islamists attacking their village. The fear of the civil war is also clearly evident in the eyes of Deng, as he develops a demonized view of Sharia law, and Islam in general. He shares these opinions when he talks to his friends about how the Arabs leach on the Dinka society for supplies.
Object 1: Television
The television is a fairly new object in the life of Deng, and it symbolizes the vast difference in cultures between Sudan and United States. Deng describes himself as ‘exhilarated, disheartened, and thoroughly confused.” by the vast entertainment given to him. Despite the activity watching TV being a social norm for people in western society, Deng has had little to no experience with such entertainment. Underlying the difference in the social practices of the West from the practices in Sudan.
Object 2: Bicycle
The bicycle relates to the story when someone in Deng’s village buys a new bicycle. The village and Deng are extremely impressed by this bicycle and Deng describes the bike with “Pedals that are the silver of stars, its handlebars exquisitely shaped.” This bicycle represents the aspirations that Deng has to own such a bicycle in the future. He describes how when he grows rich to own multiple stores, he will buy a brand new bike. The value of a bicycle is profound in a landscape like Sudan, and due to its expensive nature, it is seen as a luxury item in this part of the world.
Object 3: The horse
When an Arab fellow by the name of Sadiq visits Deng’s village, he brings with him a horse, a common animal owned by Arabs in the region. Deng gets onto the horse, but his hastily removed from it by his father. Despite the Arab man letting Deng sit on the horse for pleasure, the father dislikes this act. This object is seen as an enemy by the father as it shows the conflicts that the Dinga tribe have with Arabs in Sudan.
Object 4: Bag of sugar
This object is brought up in the story, when government troops ask to take bags of sugar from Deng's father free of charge.
The bag of sugar sets off fear of civil war in Deng’s village. This bag of sugar is significant in that it alerts people in the village of tensions occurring in the capital of Khartoum. With food scarce, this bag of sugar gives us clues that show people in the village, use food diligently and efficiently, and how it is frowned upon to steal food.
This quote occurs, when Deng, the protagonist begins to describe his perfect day, and how he goes home after a short day of school to one of his many mothers. Through this quote it is evident that the society in Sudan is open towards Polygamy, this social attitude towards women is further progressed throughout the novel as there are many cases of the abuse of woman littered throughout the novel. The society in this community is so comfortable with Polygamy, that even the children are happy to have multiple mothers living together with them. By this quote, we can determine that Deng is also a boy that wishes to have multiple wives in the future. This one of a few quotes, that is supposed to show the social norms in Sudan and to display the large gap in society between the richer, advanced, western countries, to the poorer, African country of Sudan.
2. “ – He was caught stealing. He was punished.
– It’s an outrage! This is not Sudanese justice.
– It is now. That’s the point. This is sharia. ”
This quote occurs as the civil war is about to start, as Sharia law is spreading throughout Sudan, when a man has his hand cut off for the reason that he has stolen a brick from his employer.
Sharia law is very much a set of rules set on people; these laws dictate how people live their lives. To this day, Sharia law exists throughout the Middle East and is especially existent in the poorer countries throughout Africa. Sharia law heavily favours men’s rights and infringe women’s rights. It is a primitive set of laws that is criticized throughout the world. Despite, the fact that the Sudanese justice system was already skewed before Sharia Law; people in Sudan are still terrified by the idea of Sharia law in Sudan. After this part in novel, the fear in Sudan of the upcoming Civil war is set in motion, where people in the village start escaping and fear the Islamists attacking their village. The fear of the civil war is also clearly evident in the eyes of Deng, as he develops a demonized view of Sharia law, and Islam in general. He shares these opinions when he talks to his friends about how the Arabs leach on the Dinka society for supplies.
Object 1: Television
The television is a fairly new object in the life of Deng, and it symbolizes the vast difference in cultures between Sudan and United States. Deng describes himself as ‘exhilarated, disheartened, and thoroughly confused.” by the vast entertainment given to him. Despite the activity watching TV being a social norm for people in western society, Deng has had little to no experience with such entertainment. Underlying the difference in the social practices of the West from the practices in Sudan.
Object 2: Bicycle
The bicycle relates to the story when someone in Deng’s village buys a new bicycle. The village and Deng are extremely impressed by this bicycle and Deng describes the bike with “Pedals that are the silver of stars, its handlebars exquisitely shaped.” This bicycle represents the aspirations that Deng has to own such a bicycle in the future. He describes how when he grows rich to own multiple stores, he will buy a brand new bike. The value of a bicycle is profound in a landscape like Sudan, and due to its expensive nature, it is seen as a luxury item in this part of the world.
Object 3: The horse
When an Arab fellow by the name of Sadiq visits Deng’s village, he brings with him a horse, a common animal owned by Arabs in the region. Deng gets onto the horse, but his hastily removed from it by his father. Despite the Arab man letting Deng sit on the horse for pleasure, the father dislikes this act. This object is seen as an enemy by the father as it shows the conflicts that the Dinga tribe have with Arabs in Sudan.
Object 4: Bag of sugar
This object is brought up in the story, when government troops ask to take bags of sugar from Deng's father free of charge.
The bag of sugar sets off fear of civil war in Deng’s village. This bag of sugar is significant in that it alerts people in the village of tensions occurring in the capital of Khartoum. With food scarce, this bag of sugar gives us clues that show people in the village, use food diligently and efficiently, and how it is frowned upon to steal food.
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