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Abstract: The
author has used plants (cabbages, koso tree), parasites (bed-bugs, fleas,
worms), objects (pistol, the cross), the elements (thunderstorm, flood,
wildfire), animals (jackals, dogs, mules, horses, vultures,hawks,marabous),diseases
(mental and physical), rot(decaying wood, mud, stagnant water,offal),hell
scenes (devils and torments), and phrases ("beautiful Ethiopia",
"sacrificial sheep", "begging manna") to create the main
motifs. The symbols have been constructed using mostly human action
(pilgrimage, rape of Woynitu, Fitawrary's bath in filth and blood, offer of the
cross to Woynitu, offer of pocket watch to Goytom). Some characters( Woynitu,
Fitawrary,Goytom, the peasant) have also been assigned a symbolic role. Some of
the motifs (cabbages, parasites, the cross, hell scenes), too, have a symbolic
function while others (pistol, jackal) also have a plot-centred anticipatory
function. A few motifs such as the mules are multi functional in that they serve
as both foreshadowing and satirical devices. A number of the symbols (the cross,
sacrificial sheep) are conventional while others (rape of Woynitu, Fitawrary's bath)
are quite original and even subversive.  In spite of its innovative methods, The
Thirteenth Sun has a didactic tendency to explicate the political meaning of
the portrayal, especially through the narratorial commentaries and mental
excursions of the two protagonists,Woynitu and Goytom. Such redundant discourse
has the effect of undermining the subtlety of the motifs and symbols. |
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Taye Assefa - Institute of Ethiopian Studies |