Jewelry

In the story “Cell One” the theft of jewelry represents a personal attack on Nnamabia's mother because the pieces are her prized possessions. When Nnamabia fakes a robbery at his parents’ house he takes his mother’s jewelry. He later admits that he pawned it and spent all the money. The narrator indicates the jewelry was the only thing of value the family had in its home.

Benin Mask

In the story “Imitation” the imitation Benin mask is a symbol of Nkem's belief that her marriage is also an imitation. Nkem identifies with the men who once guarded the Benin masks that she and her husband have copies of in their home. She wonders if these men, like she, wished they had protection and had some control over their lives. The imitation mask is also significant because Nkem sees her marriage, in which her husband has...