Symbols And Metaphors In 'Scorched'
The Power of Language: An Analysis of Symbols and Metaphors in “Scorched”
Language is much more than just a means of communication. It is an important part of our culture, and it is necessary for freedom of expression. It is one of the most important parts of our being. “Scorched” is a play by the Lebanese writer Wajdi Mouawad. Upon the death of Nawal, her twin children relive her life by searching for their missing father and brother they never knew about in Nawal’s homeland to fulfill her will. During their journey, they learn about her difficult childhood and her history as a prisoner of war until they eventually discover the shocking truth about their own origins. The play portrays how words can be powerful through symbolism and metaphors.
Firstly, Mouawad expresses the power of language through many metaphors throughout the play. For instance, when Nawal teaches her friend Sawda the alphabet, she compares letters to weapons: “That’s the alphabet. Twenty-nine sounds. Twenty-nine letters. Those are your weapons. Your bullets. You have to remember them. And how to put them together, to make words.” (51) This suggests that language holds power in a better way than violence does. …show more content…
When her grandmother died, Nawal promised her she would learn to read and write in order to engrave her name, Nazira, on her tombstone, but also in order to be able to fight back: “[NAZIRA]: Don’t accept it, Nawal, never accept it. But if you’re going to refuse, you have to know how to talk. […] Learn. It’s your only hope if you don’t want to turn out like us.” (32) The only solution for Nawal to get out of the difficult living conditions she lives in is to learn. The promise she made to her grandmother reflects how she values language more than
Language is much more than just a means of communication. It is an important part of our culture, and it is necessary for freedom of expression. It is one of the most important parts of our being. “Scorched” is a play by the Lebanese writer Wajdi Mouawad. Upon the death of Nawal, her twin children relive her life by searching for their missing father and brother they never knew about in Nawal’s homeland to fulfill her will. During their journey, they learn about her difficult childhood and her history as a prisoner of war until they eventually discover the shocking truth about their own origins. The play portrays how words can be powerful through symbolism and metaphors.
Firstly, Mouawad expresses the power of language through many metaphors throughout the play. For instance, when Nawal teaches her friend Sawda the alphabet, she compares letters to weapons: “That’s the alphabet. Twenty-nine sounds. Twenty-nine letters. Those are your weapons. Your bullets. You have to remember them. And how to put them together, to make words.” (51) This suggests that language holds power in a better way than violence does. …show more content…
When her grandmother died, Nawal promised her she would learn to read and write in order to engrave her name, Nazira, on her tombstone, but also in order to be able to fight back: “[NAZIRA]: Don’t accept it, Nawal, never accept it. But if you’re going to refuse, you have to know how to talk. […] Learn. It’s your only hope if you don’t want to turn out like us.” (32) The only solution for Nawal to get out of the difficult living conditions she lives in is to learn. The promise she made to her grandmother reflects how she values language more than