Symbolism and Allusion in the Novel Refugee by Alan Gratz
The novel “Refugee” by Alan Gratz masterfully intertwines allusion and symbolism to illustrate the universal struggles of displacement, oppression, and the pursuit of freedom. Through various cultural, historical, and literary references, Gratz invites readers to confront the complexities of the human experience and the enduring quest for dignity in the face of adversity.
Moreover, the allusions to the son Cubano and the clave, Fidel Castro’s propaganda sign, The Odyssey, and Moses symbolize resilience, hope, and liberation in the face of adversity. These allusions highlight the importance of cultural traditions, the power of hope and resilience, the enduring legacy of authoritarianism, and the ongoing struggle for human rights.
Identity & the Significance of the Clave
The son Cubano and the clave symbolize Isabel’s connection to her homeland and her family’s roots. Despite facing challenges, music is a source of comfort and familiarity for Isabel, reminding her of happier times in Cuba. This allusion emphasizes the significance of cultural traditions in preserving a sense of identity and belonging.
Music has historically played a crucial role in expressing the struggles and aspirations of marginalized communities. The allusion to the son Cubano and the clave in “Refugee” symbolizes the resilience and resistance of the Cuban people in the face of oppression and hardship, inspiring hope for a better future despite the challenges they encounter as refugees.
Alternatively, pairing “Refugee” by Alan Gratz with the poem “To Make Use of Water” by Safia Elhillo offers a rich opportunity to discuss themes of displacement, identity, and resilience. In addition to comparing the symbolism in the two texts, you may want to discuss these additional questions:
Lastly, because this poem is available in two video formats, performance (Button Poetry) and animated (TED-Ed), you can also discuss which version more clearly reflects its themes.
“Fight Against the Impossible and Win!”
Gratz mentions Fidel Castro’s propaganda sign, “Fight against the impossible and win!” several times in “Refugee.” This reference gives readers a glimpse into the socio-political dynamics of that time and helps us understand how global events impacted individual lives. It also reminds us of the long-lasting effects of authoritarianism and the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity worldwide.
While Fidel Castro’s slogan intends to rally support for his revolutionary cause, its inclusion in “Refugee” introduces a layer of irony and ambiguity. Consequently, the characters must grapple with the impossibilities of their situations, navigating literal and figurative roadblocks on their journey to escape oppressive leaders like Castro, Assad, and Hitler. They must fight for survival and freedom. This allusion prompts readers to critically examine the nature of resistance and the ethical implications of political ideologies in times of crisis.
The Odyssey and the Exodus
The allusion to the Odyssey in “Refugee” highlights the universal human experience of displacement and refugees’ challenges. The novel’s main characters undertake epic journeys fraught with peril and uncertainty as they flee their homes for safety and freedom. This allusion highlights the strength and courage of refugees as they navigate unfamiliar terrain and confront formidable challenges.
Finally, the allusion to Moses in “Refugee” emphasizes the themes of liberation, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity. Moses is a central figure in the biblical narrative, known for leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt through the Exodus. Similarly, in “Refugee,” the characters embark on perilous journeys to escape oppression and find freedom and safety. By drawing parallels between the characters’ struggles in the novel and the biblical narrative of Exodus, Gratz emphasizes the universal human desire for freedom and the lengths people will go to achieve it.
The allusions in “Refugee” highlight the universal human experiences of displacement, oppression, and the struggle for freedom. Additionally, the novel draws parallels between the characters’ struggles and those of marginalized communities throughout history, prompting readers to critically examine the nature of resistance and the ongoing struggle for human rights worldwide.
Paired Texts and Writing Prompts Connected to the Symbolism and Allusions in Refugee
First, explore resources related to the global refugee crisis and what it means to be a refugee.
- Consider the meaning of the title. What misconceptions might students have about Refugees? Do they understand the difference between a refugee and an immigrant?
- Have students explore a multimedia text about what it means to be a refugee. This prereading exploration will increase students’ background knowledge and help them understand the allusions and symbolism in the novel on a deeper level.
- Click on the images to open the Google documents below and add them to your drive.
The Importance of Nonfiction Paired Texts
Pairing texts allows students to explore various genres, including fiction and nonfiction, which helps them to master a broader range of reading standards. Students can better understand the symbolism and allusion by incorporating diverse materials such as articles, videos, poetry, or related texts.
What is more, this paired text approach to novel studies encourages critical thinking and analytical skills as students examine different perspectives and narratives, ultimately enhancing their learning experience.
“Close the Door that Brings the Wind and Relax”
The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions spread across predominantly Muslim countries in North Africa and the Middle East. In the novel REFUGEE, the author describes the Syrian response to the Arab Spring using an old Arabic proverb, “There was an old Arabic proverb that said ‘Close the door that brings the wind and relax,’ and that’s exactly what they did; while the rest of the middle east was rioting, Syrians stayed inside and locked their doors and waited to see what would happen” (p.15)
Next, students watch a short animation of Eve Bunting’s book The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust and read a short poem by Martin Neimoller: “FIRST THEY CAME FOR THE SOCIALISTS…”
I discuss this text pairing in greater detail in my post, Paired Texts for the Novel Refugee by Alan Gratz.
“Tomorrow”
Throughout the text, the characters are hopeful that something will happen tomorrow, or in some cases, mañana. Again and again, they are told something will happen tomorrow, but it is an empty promise. How is the phrase “Tomorrow” or “Mañana” an act of indifference? According to the dictionary, tomorrow means the day after today, but what is the connotative meaning of this word? Does tomorrow mean “never,” “maybe,” “I don’t know,” or even “I don’t care”?
Additionally, students can examine the speech “The Perils of Indifference” and a primary source document, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” before constructing a response to this issue.
- Weigh-in: Are you for or against allowing refugees to come to the US? Cite evidence from one or more sources to support your opinion.
- What are the parallels between what happened with the USS St. Louis and what is happening with Syrian refugees?
- With millions of people fleeing persecution and seeking refuge worldwide, what role (if any) should the United States play in aiding those who are forced to leave their homeland?
“Invisible”
The TED Talk The Danger of a Single Story connects with being visible or invisible. It relates to how people see refugees and how that perception affects the three character journeys. While the author explores three different accounts in his novel, in a way, they are all a “Single Story.”
Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
“What struck me was this: She had felt sorry for me even before she saw me. Her default position toward me, as an African, was a kind of patronizing, well-meaning pity. My roommate had a single story of Africa: a single story of catastrophe. In this single story, there was no possibility of Africans being similar to her in any way, no possibility of feelings more complex than pity, no possibility of a connection as human equals.“
Chimamanda Adichie, The Danger of a Single Story
The Danger of a Single Story
Not only is the danger in a single story is that it creates incomplete stereotypes, robbing people of their dignity, but also the single story emphasizes differences over similarities. Reading this novel risks encouraging or creating stereotypes and well-meaning pity (or a “single story”) about refugees. I highly recommend an end-of-novel exploration of some alternative stories. Provide your students with many stories. A few examples that I like are:
- 5 inspiring Stories of Refugees Reaching Success-from Charity.org
- Seven Stories That Inspired Us in 2022-from UN Refugees.org. Don’t miss the link at the bottom of this page to a map of Refugee stories. This map is a collection of stories highlighting refugees’ journeys to find safety. “Refugees are our neighbors and our friends. Their voices matter and deserve to be heard.”
- I Am the Night Sky is a collection of stories and artwork written by Muslim American Youth. The introduction includes a quote from Chimamanda Adichie’s TED Talk.
Since this one is a collection, I’ll save you the time of reading the whole book. I would use the image on pp. 62-63 of this book. Stories from this collection that I recommend in connection to Refugee:
NOTE: This entire book (I Am the Night Sky) is not likely age-appropriate for every class. I wouldn’t give the whole book to my class. Instead, I would copy a story from the book I want them to read.
What’s Next
- 8 Practical Ways to Help Refugees from TED ed
- 15 Ways You Can Help Syrian Refugees Now from The Global Citizen
Related Post:
Paired Texts for the Novel Refugee by Alan Gratz
More Lessons to Use with this Novel:
Additional lessons to accompany this novel can be purchased in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
