Beka's Evolution Anonymous 11th Grade

In the novel ‘Beka Lamb’ written by Zee Edgell, we see that the character Beka Lamb, a young Belizean girl through various flashbacks, has been through many eye opening experiences, which allows her to cope and experience meaningful change, which accurately contributes to the her new found maturity. Edgell is able to portray the various changes of the protagonist by conveying messages through deep figurative language, implementing ironic twists, and using crystal clear examples of visual imagery. Three events in which we see that Beka is changing are: the cutting down of the bougainvillea, the death of Great Gran Straker, and Beka’s change in views of her education and marital preferences.

The first event in which we see that Beka is changing is the cutting down of the bougainvillea plant. This is seen where Chuku, Beka’s brother mentions their down “cutting down (her) tree”. It is to be mentioned that the bougainvillea plant is symbolic to Beka. The verb ‘cutting’ symbolizes the removal of superficiality and the false sense of identity that Beka once exuded, like the “lush red” plant, and the lessening of the burden her actions had placed on her family. Also, the noun ‘tree’ is symbolic of life and development. Moreover, we...