Khamba (Symbol)
Khamba, William's dog, is a symbol of his desire for independence and autonomy. Throughout the book, William often wants to be alone, separate from the many girls that occupy his house alongside him. When his uncle Socrates comes with yet more women, the one thing that comforts him slightly is the dog. Khamba neither speaks nor can tell William what to do, and so his silent company allows William more power and agency over another being than he previously had. However, when Khamba dies during the famine, William realizes that Khamba was more conscious and alive than he had previously thought. Although he thought himself independent and alone with his thoughts, Khamba's support and loyalty meant much more to him than either of them knew, and when William abandons him in the forest, Khamba loses his will to live. The famine shows William that he must rely on his community and support system more than ever before, despite his desires to do otherwise.
Gaga (Symbol)
Eating gaga is a symbol of the poor conditions of Malawi during the famine. As the processing byproduct of milling maize, gaga is rarely eaten by humans and usually thrown out or given to animals. However, during the famine of 2002, many resort to eating gaga, which demonstrates the desperation of the people and their hunger. William even witnesses the gaga supply running out, as so many people are so hungry that even animal feed is good enough to eat. When gaga is once again thrown out, the conditions of Malawi will have improved.
The Deadly Defeat of Nawambe (Allegory)
The story that William's father tells of the deadly defeat of Nawambe, a chief that tried to invade a hill occupied by a magical leader, is one that warns against betraying allies and underestimating magic. Chief Mwase, the leader of the hill, was first given the land because he magically killed the rhino that was terrorizing the town nearby. He did this by turning invisible, and striking when the rhino did not expect. When Chief Nawambe backstabbed Chief Mwase, who had always assisted their army, Chief Mwase struck back with magic and force, sneaking up on the Ngoni that Chief Nawambe led and thoroughly killing his army. The fact that the hill is now named "The Deadly Defeat of Nawambe" indicates that the people in the area still think of the morals of that story constantly.
Chief Wimbe (Symbol)
Chief Wimbe is a symbol of his people, and his virtue and honesty reflects well in that respect. He is the figure that everyone looks to in their time of need, and is an example of a leader who honestly cares for his people. Chief Wimbe is an example of what good government looks like, such as when he offers up the sheets from his own bed or the space of his own home to the people in order to help them survive. As a symbol, it is useful to look at Chief Wimbe in comparison to a leader like President Muluzi, who only cares about power and not about effecting actual change and improvements for his people.
Dynamo (Motif)
The dynamo is introduced throughout multiple parts of the story as an integral part of William's windmill. It is the device that first gives him the idea of converting mechanical energy into electricity, and one that he was not able to afford for the longest time. The dynamo is a motif representing the unattainable ideal of science and technology, a simple device that opens up many pathways for those who have the money to first afford it.
