Dark child Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dark child - Essay Example Two of the major characters in the book are his parents. His father is the village goldsmith, whose spirit dwells in a snake; â€Å"No one was to kill him because he was my fathers guiding spirit!†(Laye 22). He is described as an â€Å"open handed, lavish giver† albeit â€Å"temperate†(Laye 20- 21). Laye portrays him as a great man, the man in whose footsteps he could have followed to attain a similar greatness, but for the fact that he opts for Western education instead. It is his father whom Laye turns to for guidance when he must choose whether or not to attend school in Conkary; â€Å"What must I do if I am to do the right thing?† (Laye 29). His father tells him â€Å"There is a certain form of behavior to observe, and certain ways of acting in order that the guiding spirit of our race may approach you also†¦..I fear, I very much fear little one that you are not enough in my company. You are all day at school.† (Laye 27). Laye’s ance stral heritage is replete with mysticism, charms and spirits, his father’s spirit is a snake, his mother’s a crocodile – each has an individual totem with which identification is complete. But young Laye is unable to find his own totem; â€Å"yes the world rolls on†¦.and the proof of it is that my own totem†¦.is still unknown to me.† (Laye 75). Laye’s grandmother is portrayed as the typical Universal grandmother, who loves him without question or reason, examining him every time he visits her and moaning about how thin he is. His mother is the strongest influence in his life – Laye shares a special relationship with her, awe struck by her supernatural powers. She is portrayed as a strong influence in the home; â€Å"everything was done according to her own rules and those rules were strict† (Laye 68). She was authoritarian, unlike other African women who played a more submissive role and Laye states; â€Å"It was due to the strange powers she possessed.† (Laye 69).