Theme Of Memory In The Shadow Of Imana

The Metaphoric Significance of Memory on Karl’s Family In Veronique Tadjo’s novel, The Shadow of Imana: Travels in the Heart of Rwanda, a metaphor of memory is: “Memory is like a sword dipped in steel, like rain in the heart of drought. A tiara placed on the head of a tearful princess, finery over the shoulders of a mother bruised by sorrow, a garment of light to drape over a man broken by the immensity of absence and make him beautiful (45).”

The metaphor of memory pertains to many people in the novel. It is especially relevant to Karl and Annonciata’s family during the Rwandan genocide. As the Rwandan genocide progresses, Karl is away from Rwanda and his family. Therefore, Karl and his family experience trauma in differing ways through

Since Karl is not directly forced to cope with the genocide as he is away from Rwanda, he does not experience trauma in the exact form that Annonciata does. However, Karl is reminded of the genocide as pictures of dead bodies and weeping children and mothers are broadcast (72) “Memory is like a sword dipped in steel, like rain in the heart of drought(45).” Karl’s memory can be related to a steel dipped sword because Karl is watching from afar, viewing the intensifying situation in which his family is endangered. Karl is distraught, feeling brittle, and he can easily be broken up by the situation in which he is indirectly submerged in through his family in Rwanda. “The tone was hardening. The radio was broadcasting hate slogans. Everyone knew that something terrible was in the air, that new waves of anti-Tutsi persecution (72).” “Memory is like rain in the heart of draught(45).” Rain is a symbol of relief, rebirth, and revival. After Karl is reunited with his family, there are hopes that Karl’s children will free him from his agony and allow for life to move forward (75). This pertains to the symbol of rain as rain is the sustainer of life, Karl’s children are the symbol of rain in which they will allow for life to move forwards, past the genocide, to move on with reconciliation of the past.

“A garment of light to drape over a man broken by the immensity of absence and make him beautiful(45).” The garment of light is represented by Karl’s children who can either choose to live past the genocide or continue it; their hatred or unity will fuel the outcome of Rwanda’s future. Karl’s children are the ‘garment of light that make him beautiful’ because Karl puts effort and hope into his children being the ones to “succeed in freeing him of his pain…to see life go on…break the chains of infinite grief