Blackness

Blackness symbolizes filth and inferiority throughout the novel. Eitan considers Eritreans unclean and inhuman because of their race. Blackness, therefore, also characterizes illegal immigrants or alien people for Eitan. Sirkit and Liat both reveal that blackness inhibits them because people underestimate and disrespect black women for their dark skin. Blackness ultimately represents the racist behavior exhibited by white characters throughout Waking Lions and the effect of this behavior on people of color.

The Black Snake

The black snake approaches Eitan and Liat while they have sex in a sand dune shortly after meeting. Liat remembers Eitan’s panic during that experience, describing the voice with which he instructed her to remain still until the snake disappeared as the sternest she has ever heard Eitan use. The snake symbolizes both a menacing threat to Eitan and Liat’s physical safety as well as a physical manifestation of...