Symbol: The captain and the ship
The captain and the ship symbolize the sacrifice the king's horseman will make for his people.
Motif: Dancing
Dancing permeates the text. It is part of the ritual, and is directly connected to Elesin's suicide. Elesin, the women, and the praise-singer dance to enact the ritual. However, Pilkings and Jane also dance, but their dance is awkward and representative of their outsider status.
Symbol: the egungun costumes
These costumes symbolize traditional Nigerian culture, and are improperly worn by Pilkings and Jane.
Symbol: Elesin
Elesin is a symbol for Nigeria in all of its vibrant culture, vitality, and humbling at the hand of Europeans.
Symbol: Joseph
Joseph symbolizes a Westernized Nigerian, one who has assumed elements of Christianity and Western values but retains some of his own culture. This gives him a sort of 'double consciousness'.
