The Dark Child (The African Child) Lesson Plan

How does Laye establish the setting in the memoir, and what does it accomplish?

Laye includes many specific physical descriptions of place, including his family’s concession, his father’s workshop, and his “domains” where he hangs out. He also provides vivid imagery about the weather, indicating that it’s quite hot. He describes lots of items in his home, which establish the spiritual world of Laye and his community. They believe in the supernatural powers of many natural and material things, such as the pots with plant extracts that hung over the bed, which Laye says are the most important thing in the house, as they are magic charms that ward off evil spirits. Laye’s...