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Symbolism In Under The Persimmon Tree

Decent Essays

Introduction
(AGG) Many authors use symbolism to show the development of a character, like the author of Under The Persimmon Tree does. (BS-1) In the beginning of the novel, Najmah changes from a childlike girl to an adult-like woman and the author uses the bukri, or baby goat, to symbolize this change. (BS-2) When Mada-Jan and Habib die, Shaheed is born and Golestan Najmah dies and the author uses Najmah’s first haircut to give a deeper meaning to this change. (BS-3) After Najmah meets Nusrat, she develops into another version of herself and the author uses another haircut to add another level beneath this literal change. (TS) The author uses symbolism to show Najmah’s development throughout the novel.

(MIP-1) Najmah goes from an innocent child in the family to an adult in the family and the author uses the bukri to show this change. (SIP-A) The author shows that Najmah grows up to be an adult after her father and brother were taken away. (STEWE-1) After Najmah’s brother and father are taken away, her mother goes into depression and just silently sits. This is like a role reversal between Najmah and her mother. Before, Najmah used to need to be told to do the work because she was much like a child. Now, it is the other way around. Najmah knows she has to have the maturity of an adult in order to survive, so she does. This is why she tells her mother, “‘You may choose not to live, but the baby and I need you. And the flock needs food. I don't want to die”’(38). Right after

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