The Burden of Friendship (metaphor)
In the novel, the protagonist reflects on the friendship between him, Mustafa, and Hosam: "Our friendship…was marked by great affection and loyalty but also absence and suspicion, by a powerful and natural connection and yet an unfathomable silence that had always seemed…not altogether bridgeable." This metaphorical "unfathomable silence" symbolizes the complex and intangible nature of deep relationships, especially in the context of their political and personal differences. It encapsulates how even in close friendships there are unspoken doubts and unbridgeable gaps in understanding, which are beyond the reach of language. The metaphor emphasizes the emotional and psychological barriers that exist between people bound by shared history and affection.
City of Shadows (metaphor)
Matar writes, "London is a city of shadows, a city made for shadows, for people like me who can be here a lifetime yet remain as invisible as ghosts." In this metaphor, London becomes a city of disconnection and invisibility. The "shadows" represent those who, like the narrator, feel displaced or alienated despite living in the heart of the city. This metaphor captures the theme of exile and isolation, which reflects how the protagonist feels detached from his homeland and the world around him. It portrays the city as a place where people can live unnoticed and unfulfilled, blending into the background like shadows in the light.
The Mule on the Ledge (metaphor)
The protagonist describes watching a mule carrying a child along a narrow ledge. He asserts, "It was trapped, unable to turn or proceed in any other direction except forward." This metaphor of the mule's burden reflects the sense of entrapment and inevitability in the characters' lives. The mule's inability to turn back mirrors how the characters, like Mustafa and Hosam, are trapped by their personal histories, political commitments, and choices. It also symbolizes the precariousness of life where every step forward is fraught with danger and uncertainty. This powerful image evokes themes of responsibility and fate suggesting that some paths in life offer no retreat.
Bridging Distance through Language (simile)
Matar describes the process of translating words between languages as an intimate act: "Peeling a word into the other tongue, and every time it was like a distance was being bridged, a fracture mended." This simile illustrates the connection that language can foster between individuals. The image of "peeling" a word suggests delicacy and care, as though each word has layers. Furthermore, the comparison to "a distance being bridged" emphasizes how language can close emotional or cultural gaps. This simile speaks to the idea of language as a tool for reconnection with one's identity and heritage.
The Weight of Reality (simile)
In one of the novel’s key moments, Khaled reflects on his sense of powerlessness. He states, "I moved helplessly beside him. The ground now was as hard as a solid fact." This simile draws a direct parallel between the unyielding nature of the ground and the unchangeable realities of Khaled’s life. The "solid fact" represents harsh truths—his inability to change the course of events or to escape the consequences of his choices. Matar uses the simile to highlight Khaled’s internal struggle with fate and his role in the political upheaval surrounding him. Just as the ground is firm and unchangeable, so too are the facts of Khaled’s life.
