Christian Carter LBST 2102 Mr.

Robert Arnold 13 September 2011 Microtheme 2 Camara Laye uses different forms of repetition to express his journey to manhood in his memoir entitled The Dark Child. One element that Laye continues to repeat throughout his novel is different types of trees. In my opinion the trees are a representation of Layes physical and mental changes that he endures to become a man. The first tree that he mentions is the orange tree that was close to his fathers workshop. Laye briefly describes the structure of the tree and how the fragrance from the tree would fill the concession. Towards the middle of the novel, Laye mentions guava trees. During his younger days as a school boy, Laye tells how one of his punishments was to clean up the debris that would fall from the guava trees. He later encounters a bombax tree and a mango tree. I think that Layes perceived the trees as a figure for his own growth and change. Trees grow with the nourishment from the sun and water, Laye was able grow into his manhood from the teachings of his father, uncle and mother. Laye had appreciation for the industrial talents of his culture, but he wanted to branch out and leave his own mark through his success in academics. His reason for repeating the trees was to prove that its not what you look like on the outside that makes you a man, but rather your determination to emerge from the traditions of your culture and form you own destiny.