Mama Africa (metaphor)
The narrator uses the metaphor of "Mama Africa" to refer to the origin of many Jamaican people's ancestry. It is used in the context of the protagonist's inquiry into the cultural identity of his contemporaries and how it relates to their African roots. The phrase underlines the importance of understanding the history of the African diaspora and its influence on contemporary Jamaican culture. It describes the ancestral roots of the protagonist's family and the reverence that many have for the motherland, regardless of their current location. Therefore, the significance of preserving one's culture and identity, even when living in another country. The narrator highlights the strength and resilience of African culture and how it has been passed down through generations. Thus, the metaphor of Mama Africa sustains that despite the distance and the time that has passed, African culture and identity remain strong and are the foundation of contemporary Jamaican culture.
Rebuilding (metaphor)
The term "rebuilding" is utilized to describe the action of repairing the house as well as the action of constructing manhood. This concept of rebuilding acknowledges that there is something to be restored, something that was previously broken or destroyed. In this case, the house has been damaged by a storm, and the metaphor indicates that the father and son are working to restore the house to its original condition. The metaphor signifies that the father is helping the son to build his own identity, with the implication that he has been broken in some way, whether by his actions or those of others. In working together to rebuild the house, the father is helping to construct the son’s manhood. This process of rebuilding is not easy but is a rewarding task.
Bad Dream (metaphor)
The phrase "bad dream" refers to the notion of America being forgotten by the narrator's family in the future. This metaphor illustrates the narrator's desire to reconnect with his Jamaican roots and to forget his American past. Through the description of America as a "bad dream," the narrator views his American identity as something undesirable and unworthy of remembrance. Thus, he is seeking to replace his American identity with a Jamaican one, and he sees his Jamaican heritage as something much more desirable and valuable than his American one. This metaphor accentuates the narrator's longing for a connection to his roots, as well as his desire to reconnect with his past and create a new identity for himself.
Campbell's Soup Can (simile)
The narrator asserts that the hurricane is "peeling [the roof] back like the lid of a Campbell's soup can". This comparison describes the violent tearing away of the roof from the protagonist's house by the hurricane. The soup can lid is easily peeled off, often with minimal effort. This reflects how the hurricane, with its powerful winds and rain, was able to quickly and easily strip away the roof of the house. Hence, the comparison to Campbell's soup indicates a sudden force that is capable of ripping open something that is tightly sealed. The use of this simile also accentuates the destructive force of disasters, which render strong structures into something as frail as a Campbell's soup can.
Spiny Lobster (simile)
"Like a bug. Like a prehistoric palmetto with a fantail and extra legs." This simile compares the spiny lobster that Ox has caught. The lobster is compared to a bug, signifying its small size and segmented body. It is also compared to a prehistoric palmetto, which is a type of palm tree. This comparison shows the lobster's shape and color, which is described as having "hints of yellow and tan but was otherwise cockroach-colored". The addition of the "fantail and extra legs" indicate the lobster's tail and its multiple pairs of legs. The simile draws attention to the uniqueness and strangeness of the spiny lobster, highlighting its alien-like features. It also highlights the unfamiliarity of the lobster for Cukie, who is not used to seeing such a creature.
