Passed like a shadow analysis

Passed Like a Shadow is a novel by Bernard Mapalala that depicts the impact of the AIDS pandemic on two families in Uganda. The novel explores themes such as family, culture, poverty, gender, and death. The title of the novel suggests that the characters who die of AIDS leave no lasting legacy or memory behind, as they have passed like a shadow on earth.

The novel has 18 chapters and is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the main characters and their backgrounds. The second part shows how the AIDS virus spreads among the characters and how they cope with the disease. The third part describes the tragic consequences of the disease and the hope for the future.

The novel has a prologue and an epilogue that frame the story. The prologue shows a sick man who boards a bus to go to the hospital, but dies on the way. The epilogue reveals that the man was Atwoki, the son of Adyeri, one of the protagonists of the novel. The novel ends with a message of awareness and prevention of AIDS.

Some of the major characters in the novel are:

• Adyeri: A drunkard and a womanizer who neglects his family and infects his wife with AIDS. He dies in chapter 10.
• Amoti: Adyeri’s wife who suffers from his abuse and mistreatment. She dies in chapter 11.
• Atwoki: Adyeri and Amoti’s son who is intelligent and talented, but falls into bad company and contracts AIDS. He dies in the prologue.
• Abooki: Adyeri and Amoti’s daughter who is hardworking and resilient. She survives the disease and becomes a nurse.
• Vicky: Adyeri’s niece who runs away from home and marries a rich man, Akena, who also has AIDS. She dies in chapter 16.
• David: A rich and spoiled boy who is Atwoki’s friend and rival. He also contracts AIDS from his promiscuous lifestyle. He dies in chapter 17.
• Araali: Adyeri’s brother who is kind and supportive of his family. He helps Abooki to get an education and a job.

The novel is written in simple and clear language, with some dialogues in the local dialect. The novel uses flashbacks, foreshadowing, and symbolism to enhance the plot and the themes. The novel also incorporates songs, poems, and proverbs to reflect the culture and the mood of the characters.

The novel is a realistic and moving portrayal of the AIDS crisis in Africa, and its effects on the individual and the society. The novel also offers a message of hope and resilience, as exemplified by Abooki, who overcomes the challenges and becomes a role model for others. The novel is a relevant and educational work of literature that raises awareness and empathy for the victims of AIDS.

Title and Overview

• Title: The novel’s title, “Passed Like a Shadow,” is derived from the verb “passed” and the noun “shadow.”
• Content Overview: The story revolves around the lives of two families: Adyeri’s and David’s. It unfolds against the backdrop of the AIDS pandemic, a time when little was known about the disease and no effective treatment existed.

Plot Summary

1. Adyeri’s Family:
   • Adyeri, a husband and father, exhibits dictatorial leadership, alcoholism, and infidelity.
   • His family faces severe poverty and disintegration due to his actions.
   • AIDS claims Adyeri’s life and that of his wife. Their son, Atwoki, also contracts the disease.
   • Adyeri’s daughter, Abooki, manages to evade the disease.
2. David’s Family:
   • David and his father lead a flamboyant lifestyle, indulging in womanizing.
   • Their actions lead to David’s mother being infected with AIDS.
   • David himself is also infected, and even their housemaid is not spared.

Symbolism and Theme

• Title Significance: The title reflects lives that didn’t achieve much—a fleeting existence akin to a shadow.
• AIDS as a Shadow: AIDS looms over both families, claiming lives and leaving a lasting impact.
• Choices and Consequences: The novel underscores how individual choices shape destinies, affecting not only the person but also those around them.

Literary Devices

1. Euphemism: The use of “passed” as a euphemism for death.
2. Metaphor: The shadow symbolizes transient existence.
3. Irony: The contrast between Adyeri’s and David’s families—both suffer, but for different reasons.

Poetic Reflection

“What have I done in this world? What memories shall I leave when I’m gone? If memories I shall have are only those… of having eaten and drunk; I shall be ashamed; there is no honor in that; And remembering you for the debts you leave behind; It is curses which precede you on your journey; Many people who die in anonymity; They die in anonymity because the glorious things they did were eating, drinking, and sleeping. Then they crown their glory with death, a deed which is not hard even for the young on a breast. That is having passed on this earth like a Shadow…”

Conclusion

“Passed Like a Shadow” serves as a poignant reminder of our choices, their consequences, and the impermanence of life. Through vivid characters and powerful themes, Benard Mapalala weaves a tale that lingers like a shadow, urging us to leave a meaningful legacy.

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