The Translator Literary Elements

Memoir

The memoir is set in 2003 in Sudan in the context of the Darfur Conflict.

First-person narrative

Solemn, depressing, terrifying

Daoud Hari is the narrator and protagonist of the story. The Sudanese government is the antagonist.

The major conflict occurred when the gunmen descended on Hari’s village, torching houses, killing innocent people and raping young girls and women. In the conflict, Hari’s parents and siblings were all killed.

The climax is attained when Hari is released from prison and given refugee status in the United States of America.

Sending Daoud Hari to an English school foreshadowed his significant role in Darfur as a translator.

Hari’s connection to wealthy Americans is understated. For instance, the wealthy American friends distanced themselves from Hari because they did want to be associated with Hari’s illegal journalism reporting in Darfur during the conflict.

The story alludes to the humanitarian crisis during the Darfur conflict. For instance, thousands of people were killed, thousands were left homeless and injured, and several properties and villages were destroyed.

The vivid images of the hot African desert described in the memoir depict sight imagery. Similarly, the noise and sounds from gunfire depict hearing imagery.

The main paradox is that the rebels are killing their fellow villagers as revenge for the hunt down by the government.

The author’s experience parallels the atrocities of the Sudanese government on the people of Darfur.

N/A

The pastoral lands in Africa are personified as hiding wealth underneath while exposing people to poverty above them.