Racism Is Context
The very same construction of a sentence into a metaphor can be interpreted as profoundly and disturbingly racist or absolutely devoid of racist intent depending upon where it appears. In this conceptual arena, racism requires context. Taken out of context, this metaphor seems to clearly be from the mind of a someone with serious problems. Within the context of this work by this author, however, any such concerns fade away:
“Two men, about as black as anybody black wants to be, was steady strokin with paddles.”
The Ark
The titular ark refers to Noah’s Ark, of course, but in this case the Noah is not from the Bible but more like akin to a symbol. The ark is a real rowboat, but it exists more authentically within the world of metaphor. As such, the language describing it is heavily symbolic:
“Son, you are in the house of generations. Every African who lives in America has a part of his soul in this ark. God has called you, and I shall anoint you.”
“Echo Tree”
This a story in the collection that is particularly dense with metaphorical language. In fact, the whole point of the story seems to be the language and the imagery it is capable of creating in the mind of the reader. The choice to italicize certain passages is an indication from the author that the reader should being paying special attention and read the sections with a more intense scrutiny:
“The sound pierces the wind. It rides down into the valley, rolls up Laelaelaeeeooo! toward the sun. It resounds like notes of thunder made by children instead of gods.”
Setting
Not all the metaphorical imagery is so philosophical and abstract. Occasionally—it is not a technique which is relied upon with a vengeance—a simple little simile is introduced to enhance the tangibility of the surroundings:
“Sixteen-year-old Layton went out into the bare yard where the chinaberry tree stood. The hot afternoon dust leaped up between his toes like fire.”
Allusion
One particularly effective type of comparison through simile is the historical allusion. Of course, its power derives from familiarity. If one is unfamiliar with the historical event, however, the whole thing collapses. In this case, the horrific story of Emmitt Till is a grisly reality of African American history with which the book’s intended readership is likely quite familiar.
“Me and your ole nappy headed brother gonna throw you in the water like they did Emmett Till.”
