Beka Lamb – College Essay Example

and failure were emphasized. The author highlights that success is a gradual process. It is shown that Beka, seven months before winning the competition, initially failed her first year and lied about it to her parents: "I pass in truth, Daddy!" Beka's family lacked confidence in her ability to pass, as seen in their comments in chapter 5, such as "How you passed the entrance examination to St. Cecilia's I'll never understand" and "The money you wasted could feed a poor family for six months."

In chapter one, when she won the competition, Beka's parents and even her grandmother were filled with pride and had great expectations for her. Success and failure are prevalent in all societies, and readers are often seeking ways to navigate through them. The writer addresses these themes early on to captivate the readers' attention. They become intrigued by Beka's journey to see if they can learn from her example. The dream in chapter two serves as a symbol for growth, achievement, and becoming more mature.

The author uses a dream to represent Beka's confusion and loss of control in her life, highlighting what was happening to her. The bridge in the dream symbolizes change and maturity, indicating that she is going through a transformation. Crossing the bridge represents achieving success. However, as she walks towards it, she faces jeering faces that laugh and mock her. The bridge begins to move away from her, causing her chance at success to slip away. Despite crying out for help, she feels voiceless as no one seems to hear her.

The sailors symbolized the individuals who were present to offer her

an easy way out, encouraging her to jump. The crowd consisted of people who were aware of her exam failure and now jeered at her, laughing and pointing fingers. The author also illustrates how success can lessen sorrow and anguish, as the novel highlights that "It was only today, with a small success of her own, and the panic and fright subsiding... But the past surprised her, the pain wasn't so bad anymore!"

This passage engages the reader by depicting the universal experiences of feeling voiceless, fearing success, undergoing significant changes, and encountering ridicule. Additionally, the novel introduces the intertwined themes of poverty and politics. Through the conversations between Granny Ivy and Miss Eila, we discover how political events have impacted the economy, resulting in widespread poverty caused by devaluation.

The houses in Belize were described as 'weathered wooden houses' with 'rusty zinc rooftops', which adds to the theme of the story and helps the reader visualize the situation. Additionally, Beka's flashback about a walk she and Toycie took in Fort George highlights their preference for wealthier areas and their desire to escape from the town, which they found to be less pleasant compared to the lovely areas they had left behind. This description arouses a sense of nostalgia in the reader by reminding them of home.

On Sundays, you drive through wealthy areas and explore homes, aspiring to live that way in the future. This theme is also associated with change, as Beka's personal transformation is compared to political change and reform. The author implies that Beka's internal change happened simultaneously with the political amendment. The society in Belize is similar

to that of the Bahamas, creating a relatable connection for the reader. In conclusion, Beka makes mistakes in her life but realizes the need to change her ways. With the support of a close friend, who is like a sister to her, they are able to view life from a different perspective, leading to their mutual transformation.