Literary Analysis- “Say You’re One of Them”
Karisa Levasseur 10/1/2011
Professor Asmus

My Parents Bedroom
In the short story, “My Parents’ Bedroom,’ written by Uwem Akpan, the most defining role of literacy that sticks out is symbolism. The images that are engraved into readers brains are ones that have deeper meanings than what we initially see on the surface. The story is told through the eyes of a little girl named, Monique, who is only nine years old. It is told in first person point of view so that the reader feels as if he/she is actually experiencing the situations first hand. The symbolism in the story, “My Parents; Bedroom,” illustrates the day to day struggle of living in Africa during the genocide. Symbolism is
Most thought it was strange but he knew that he wanted her to have it. “Our parlor is never totally dark, because of the crucifix in the corner, which glows yellow green.”(327) When the Wizard breaks the crucifix into pieces, Monique does her best to save it because she knows in her head that is her way of saving her family. At the end of the story, after Maman is dead and Papa fled all Monique and Jean had left to their family was the crucifix. The idea of hope that Papa would come back and put back the pieces of their family that so quickly fell apart. “Everywhere is dark, and the wind spreads black clouds like blankets across the sky. My brother is playing with the glow of the crucifix, babbling Maman’s name.”(354) The crucifix ultimately symbolizes Maman, she is always there with the kids in spirit. Their days are never dark because they have the glow of the crucifix to get them through the tough times. In the end, readers eyes are opened up to the severity of the situation of what is going on in Africa. The idea that children as young as nine are forced to take care of their families and witness horrific crimes is sad. Here in America, we look at children as prized innocent possessions. For Akpan, using symbolism in his story, helped get his point across by showing that there is always deeper meaning in what we first see on the surface of the story. It overall helped me to understand the story