Images and symbols in nuruddin Farah's novels

Abstract

This thesis entitled "IMAGES AND SYMBOLS IN NURUDDIN FAHAH'S NOVELS," examines the following five titles: From a Crooked Hib, A Naked Needle, Sweet and Sour Milk,Sardines and Close Sesame. The last three are a trilogy collectively known as Variations on the Theme of an Africap Dictatorship. We believe this thesis may be the first detailed study of Nuruddin Farah's works of fiction. To achieve its objective, the study adopts an approach that gears towards an appreciation of each text and a demonstration of how images and symbols effectively express ideas, hence the content of each text. The approach also demonstrates how the author uses images and symbols to relate characters and conflicts so as to make the meaning of each text as clear as possible. In so doing, the sturly demonstrates the crucial role of how images and symbols bring out the totality of a work of· art , Nuruddin Farah's artistic work can be seen as an examination of the conflicts within an individual in a callous society. 'I'h e individual works towards self-discovery and towards understanding the society he lives in. But the callousness of the society he seeks to understand always supresses him through brutal force, intimidation and murder. - ix - Forces of oppression and repression which dwarf man's attempts towards individual and collective liberty and fulfilment include male chauvinism, dependence, clannish prejudices leading to nepotism, political dictatorship and ensuing brutality and terrorism, both physical and psychol?gical. Most significantly in Farah's writing,the family is used as a symbol of the state while cosmic images of the sun and the moon signify conflicts between· patriarchy and matriarchy. The latter symbolise the imposition of dictatorship of the ruling oligarchy and the apparent submission of the subdued masses respectively. In this process of imposition and submission underlies the realisation that dictatorial r, regimes will put to use, without discrimination, various means to destroy whatever form of opposition, real or imag;ined. 'I'he author, through the exploration of common images and symbols, saves us from a pessimistic withdrawal by entrusting the future struggle for human dignity ..to the younc; men and women born durinf, the chaos of the regime they so much despise and hate