Duality

Of the three epigraphs that open Diop's novel, the last is a quote from Cheikh Hamidou Kane: "I am two simultaneous voices, one long, the other short". This foreshadows the theme of duality in Diop's work. Throughout the novel, seemingly contrasting energies unite to form new identities, relationships, and forces in the world. Ultimately, the duality of friendship is the novel's ascending concern, and Diop pays tribute to this concept when Mademba and Alfa are physically united in Alfa's body after Mademba's death.

The first presentation of duality as a theme occurs when Alfa realizes that the same actions may be regarded by both the praise and shame of men. In Chapter 12, Alfa recalls the way they used to cheer for him when he returned with a hand earlier in the war: "'Look, here's our pal Alfa with another hand and the rifle that goes with...