The African Queen Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

The African Queen Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Steam Whistle

The first time we hear Charlie's whistle it is a symbol of disruption during the Sunday service. We see Samuel and Rose attempting to lead the villagers in worship and his horn cuts through their singing and catches the attention of the people causing them to leave the service.

Trash/Treau

We see Charlie toss his cigar on the ground in the village because he's through with it. But a group of villagers scatter on to it, fighting for the butt of his stogie. We see that this is a symbol that what is Charlie's trash is now treasure for the people of the village who do not see cigars in their lives.

Gin

Charlie begins to drink the gin on his boat and offers some to Rose who refuses. The gin is a symbol of Charlie not being able to control his urges and instead giving into them with drinking, believing that it will ease his worries in hard times.

Two-Faced

We see Charlie shaving in the reflection of a pipe on his ship. It's a symbol of his duality after Rose dumps all of his booze into the river. And his angry side comes out shortly after because he hasn't had a drink all day after being drunk the night before.

Breakfast in Bed

After they kiss, Rose makes tea for Charlie the morning after. He's still sleeping and she wakes him up to what she's prepared for breakfast. It is a symbol of the closeness they have created on the river that has lead them to kissing and now beginning to love one another.

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