Help me look over my analysis of "The lemon orchard" by Alex La Guma?

The lemon orchard by Alex La Guma is a political short story that takes place in the 1920’s. The story is about a black teacher who is taken hostage and verbally and physically abused by 5 white men in South Africa. However, the colored man controls his fear, despite the abuse to keep his dignity. The stories goal is to the help the movement against apartheid in South Africa. Through the use of Diction, metaphors, recurrent imagery, foreshadowing and symbols, La Guma conveys his message

The use of diction, metaphors and alliteration are important literary elements found in La Guma’s story. The mood of the story is full tension. This uncomfortable setting is shown through words such as quicksilver, quivering, clung etc. This diction has a powerful effect on the audience in the way that readers feel the emotions in the story. La Guma uses also alliteration new the end of the story: ”quivering shine of scattered quicksilver”. This could suggest the fear of the colored man. The words describe his fear and anger, because he knows he might die. Furthermore the author uses words such as hot not, young vs. meester, bass and oom to describe the racism as well as the unbalance of power given to the characters. Continuing La Guma uses metaphors such as: …clouds as dirty as cotton wool hung in the sky.” This describes possibly the corruption of the world. Therefore, because of La Guma’s use of diction, metaphors and alliteration as a reader we can se the story through the characters although it is 3rd person narrator. We can imagine the mood as well as these literary elements portrays the racism involved.

Another literary element of “The lemon Orchard” is imagery. Imagery helps interpret the setting and mood of the story. The use of onomatopoeia through the crickets and dog barking makes the tension grow, as well as it develops the mood. La Guma is describing an awful event, but in a beautiful Lemon orchard setting. This crated irony in the way that the actions and setting are contrasting. As well La Guma describes the moon as fist hiding behind the clouds, but then towards the end of the tory the moon is shining through. The moon is first used as a symbol of evil, but then it becomes an element of hope. As a result the use of nature in his setting creates imagery for the reader. This co-relates with the tension and mood of the piece.

La Guma also uses foreshadowing to portray and create tension. As mentioned the moon is hiding in the beginning. This can foreshadow that something evil or scary will occur. In contrast the moon is shining through at the end. This can show that something positive might take place. This element ties into the overall effect of the story, because of tension created due to the foreshadowing the readers feelings are captured. This means that the reader can feel sympathy for the pain and fear of the colored man. Taking this as a step further the reader can understand the racism in south –Africa.

Symbolism is a major element in “The lemon Orchard”. From the gun, moon, the bittersweet lemons to the dirty cotton wool. The gun represents the seriousness of the actions of the story. The moon, as well as symbolizing hope and evil shows the colored mans feelings. La Guma writes; ”The perfume…was growing stronger of the lemons, as if the juice was being crushed from them.” This can symbolize the crushing of s human being. Continuing the dirty cotton wool can symbolize the corruption of society, which relates to the theme. Therefor the symbolism is a tool the author uses to show his message. In the way that this lit. element shows the situation rather than the author having to write it.

In conclusion, La Guma conveys his message through the use of diction, setting, foreshadowing and symbolism. La Guma captures the reader’s feelings and shows the racism that was taking place in South Africa. Personally I believe that a story such as “The lemon orchard” is a more powerful tool than a textbook in education on the feelings and physical manifestation as a result of apartheid. Therefor Alex La Guma has done an excellent job in conveying his message.