The Ark (Symbol)
Dumas focuses on black heritage and the history of slavery in America in the titular short story. The vessel the main characters encounter in their escapade resembles the slave ships during the Middle Passage. In fact, it has lower chambers with human bones alluding to the African captives that died on board. As Headeye is initiated, the old man asserts that the ark is a house of generations thereby it symbolizes the history and heritage of black people.
Dry Bones (Allegory)
The dry bones that the crew collect into the vessel are handled with care which is of course is allegorical. The act signifies the worth placed on the bones akin to the Biblical story of resurrection in the valley of bone. The idea of black resurrection is the essence of the story with the dry bones symbolizing the black communities in America. The resurrection is the attainment of black freedom and repossession of black heritage and identity.
Racial Oppression (Motif)
The short stories have a common motif and that is racial oppression that manifested during slavery into the present systemic racism. Dumas focuses on the black experience in America and the racial dynamics that foster the oppression. The titular narrative is set in the Deep South during the Jim Crow Era as the protagonist highlights the lynching of a black man. Therefore showcases the racial injustices before the rise of the civil rights movements that advocated for racial equality.
Ezekiel’s Vision (Allegory)
In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet has a vision of a valley of dry bones that are resurrected into living human figures. Headeye quotes this verse that signifies the resurrection of Jewish tradition that will soon come to pass. It’s thus why he uses the biblical metaphor to allude to the notion of black resurrection. The vision acts as an allegory for the looming fight for civil rights that will restore the dignity and heritage of black people.
