Symbolism in "A Blade of Grass" by DeStot

Racial issues have always been a controversial component of society. Almost everyone has witnessed or experienced forms of discrimination in their lives. Lewis DeSoto attempts to convey a story of the repercussions society has on an individual. DeSoto's novel, A Blade of Grass, is the story of two young women of different races who struggle to survive in apartheid South Africa. DeSoto is able to accurately convey his message because he personally experienced the consequences of apartheid. DeSoto utilizes symbols to convey the many ongoing conflicts of the novel. DeSoto used the character of Marit to depict his message of conflict through various symbols in A Blade of Grass. The character of Marit is a representation of the author and mirrors the authors experiences. These experiences reflect the various events that occur through the novel and specifically the house symbolizes societal constitution. Society's influence on Marit and DeSoto is seen through the seeds as they symbolize the memories of Tembi, as she nurtures and grows them she recalls the outcomes of apartheid. The author connects his memories to Tembi through the plantation of the seeds. One's life can be depicted through various symbols.

Conflict and segregation encompass Marit as she progresses through life. Lewis DeSoto constructed the character of Marit to exemplify his own experiences of conflict as he grew up in apartheid South Africa; a time of physical, political, and economic separation of the races. DeSoto was a caucasian of South Africa and ashamed of his background. He despised his South African heritage. The most profiecnet symbol of his nationality was his passport. Because of DeSoto hate towards his ethnic roots he detested his passport as it depicted him as a white oppressor. A term which he felt a tremendous amount of guilt towards because of his European- South...