Light and Darkness (symbol)
Light and darkness are used symbolically to represent various contrasts. For instance, life and death, youth and age, past and present, and the differences between Da-duh and her granddaughter. As Da-duh approaches the disembarkation shed, she is described as "caught between the sunlight at her end of the building and the darkness inside." This embodies both light and dark within herself. This duality suggests that Da-duh represents a bridge between these opposing forces. Her white dress and the light at her back suggest a connection to life, purity, and a bygone era still alive in the present. Yet, the darkness in her face and black shoes hints at mortality and the passage of time. This contrast mirrors the narrator's experience as a young girl from New York navigating the unfamiliar world of Barbados, which is both enticing (light) and intimidating (dark).
The Cane Fields (symbol)
The cane fields symbolize the beauty and harsh reality of Barbados, as well as the economic and social history of the island. The cane fields represent Da-duh's pride in her land yet they also carry a darker connotation of colonial exploitation. When Da-duh takes the narrator to see the cane fields, she proudly declares, “Yes, but wait till you see the canes we grow in St. Thomas.” The cane fields are an embodiment of the island's natural wealth. However, the narrator perceives them as "giant weeds" that have "overrun the island." This difference in perspective highlights the generational and cultural divide between them. For Da-duh, the cane fields are a symbol of self-sufficiency and resilience, but for the narrator, they symbolize entrapment, danger, and an unfamiliar world.
The Lorry Ride (symbol)
The lorry ride symbolizes the journey from the familiar to the unfamiliar. It serves as a symbol of the cultural and emotional journey that the narrator and her family are undergoing. The lorry moves through Bridgetown’s streets like a “funeral procession.” This description implies a sense of transition as if they are moving toward an unknown fate. It symbolizes the complex nature of the family's reunion and the uncomfortable merging of two different worlds. As Da-duh clutches the narrator's hand, the roles between them subtly shift. The narrator becomes the anchor symbolizing the underlying tensions that exist between the old and the new.
Cultural and Generational Conflict (motif)
This story examines the tension between different cultures and generations, particularly between the narrator and Da-duh. The cultural and generational conflict is evident in the differences in perspective between the narrator and Da-duh. The grandmother is both fascinated and threatened by the modern life that her granddaughter represents. For example, Da-duh is proud of her land and its natural beauty by saying, "I know you don’t have anything this nice where you come from." The narrator, however, perceives Barbados with a mixture of alienation and curiosity as she finds the island both enchanting and overwhelming. The generational divide is further highlighted in Da-duh’s reaction to the narrator’s appearance, where she sees something “disturbing, threatening” in the child’s fierce look. This suggests a clash not just of cultures but also of different worldviews and experiences.
Time and Mortality (motif)
The narrative captures the fleeting nature of life and the desire for continuity across generations. This theme is most clearly expressed through the character of Da-duh. There are frequent references to her age and the signs of her physical decline, such as her struggle to keep her back straight. Yet, Da-duh’s inquisitive eyes suggest a resistance to her mortality with an unwillingness to let go of life. This story juxtaposes her determination to maintain her relevance against the inevitable decline of age, which symbolizes the broader struggle against the passing of time. The older generation faces the end of its journey and the younger generation continues forward. Thus, the passage conveys a sense of mortality interwoven with a longing for continuity and legacy.
