Africa Symbol Analysis

Africa represents the “real” world outside the prison of Annie’s house—and Paul’s increasing distance from that reality. Recalling a childhood visit to the Boston Zoo with his mother, Paul imagines himself as an exotic African bird held in captivity, far from its homeland. He frequently thinks the word “Africa” (and occasionally says it aloud) in moments of desperation, seemingly using it as motivation to survive, even though escape seems impossible. Paul compares Annie to an African idol, alluding to the strange devotion captives may feel toward the jailers who determine their fate. Eventually, Paul’s fixation on Africa makes its way into Misery’s Return. Misery, Ian, and Geoffrey travel to the African continent in search of Misery’s father and the source of her mysterious vulnerability to bee stings. Here, Paul’s associations with Africa become muddled, emphasizing its foreignness over its familiarity. It is possible to read this as Paul’s increasing disassociation from the reality Africa represents, as his stay with Annie lengthens indefinitely. Just as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Paul’s imprisonment begins to feel more real than the outside world, which now seems like a distant dream. Nevertheless, Paul sustains his desire to escape confinement, as seen when he breaks the guestroom window to get Officer Duane Kushner’s attention, shouting “Africa!” the whole time. In this moment, Paul overcomes his fear of Annie, screaming his wish to return to that half-forgotten but free reality.