John's Dream

John's dream symbolizes death. As soon as John wakes up, he understands the dream's significance, knowing its central images are common omens in his tribal tradition. Because he is afraid of the dream's implication, however, John decides to dismiss it. Ultimately, the dream foreshadows Wamuhu's death at the end of the story.

The Ghosts

The ghosts in John's dream symbolize indecision. In the dream, a series of specters visit John and begin battling each other. When the ghosts accumulate, they start attacking John, eventually tearing him to pieces. Though John tries to grab hold of them, he cannot. The ghosts' struggle is a representation of John's internal struggle. Like the ghosts in his dream, John's inability to decide what to do threatens to destroy him.

Stanley's Bible

Stanley's Bible symbolizes piety. At the story's start, John says that his father is never seen without his...