Previous
Chapter 18
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Bone Sparrow, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Dehumanization, Invisibility, and Refugee Camps
Childhood
Family and Friendship
Storytelling, Escapism, and Hope
Summary
Analysis
Maá has stopped waking up. She opens her eyes and lets Queeny give her some water, but she’s not really there. The Jackets bring in a new doctor to see Maá, but the doctor just says to keep her cool and let her rest. This is what they always say, so Subhi says it’s as “[u]seless as teats on a bull.” Seeing the sad, confused look on the doctor’s face, Subhi wishes he hadn’t said it. Then, Harvey says they’re putting Maá on Watch, too. This doesn’t make sense: Watch is for people who want to hurt themselves or commit suicide. It’s usually for adults, but sometimes, it’s for kids who have seen too much. Maá isn’t trying to hurt herself, but Harvey says the Jackets just want to keep an eye on her. Subhi doesn’t remember the last time Maá was awake or sang Rohingya songs.
Though the specifics of what plagues Maá remain unsaid, Subhi nevertheless recognizes that she needs better care than what this new doctor can offer her. This doctor might be trying his best, but his suggested fix is still not what Maá needs. This illustrates the lack of both appropriate healthcare and the horrific conditions in which the refugees live—horrific conditions that have, perhaps, robbed Maá of her hope and dignity. While Subhi recognizes that nothing the camp offers is helping Maá, he also remembers here that he doesn’t want to tear others down and destroy his own humanity and compassion.
Themes
Eli is by the fence, and he’s clearly angry. He tells Subhi that they’re moving 50 men from Alpha to another country, where nobody wants them and nobody will stop people from murdering them. They’ll be able to go Outside, but they aren’t allowed to work or go to school. They won’t be able to buy food. The rest of the men will be sent back to their countries. Eli kneels, squishes his face to the fence, and says he’s afraid—he doesn’t want to be a grown-up. Subhi puts his face next to Eli’s so they’re crying together. Just then, a sparrow lands next to them. Thinking of Jimmie’s story, Subhi starts to tell Eli how to escape the fence. He starts to mention Jimmie. But Eli says he can’t go—Subhi is his family.
At this point, Eli feels totally powerless to improve his situation. He’s at the mercy of the Australian government, which can move him wherever they see fit—they can even deport him to his home country, which he risked his life to escape. When he notes that he doesn’t want to be an adult, what Eli is essentially saying is that he wants someone older and wiser to care for and protect him. This, however, is impossible in the refugee camp. Thus, the weak spot in the fence represents Eli’s only hope.
Themes
Eli collects himself and then asks Subhi to tell him how to get past the fence. Before Subhi can tell Eli about Jimmie and the Bone Sparrow, a man from Alpha walks up carrying some string. Eli tells the man that he’s going to wait and then tells Subhi that he has to go help the other guys. Subhi stays where he is. Soon after, Eli reappears. He’s helping the man from earlier walk to the fence near the road. The man’s lips are sewn shut. He lies down in the road with six other men, all of whom have their lips sewn shut. Eli unfurls a sheet, on which he’s written that they’re innocent and need help and hope. Harvey walks up to Subhi and tells him it’ll be okay. As soon as Harvey walks away, Queeny snaps a picture of the men. Subhi feels like everything is wrong.
The men in Alpha are going on a hunger strike, where they refuse food and water until their demands are met. Their demands, it seems, are simple: they need help (which could mean anything from getting out of the camp to better conditions while living here) and a reason to hope that things will get better. When Queeny photographs the men on strike, it indicates that the true purpose of the hunger strike isn’t really to make a point to the Jackets. It’s to try to raise awareness outside the camp, educating people who might not know what’s happening inside the camp so that they will be more willing to help.
Themes
It storms that night, and the Night Sea’s waves make the tent lean. Subhi can hear Eli’s whale bellowing outside. Queeny tries to comfort Subhi, while Subhi sings tarana songs to Maá. Even the babies are terrified and crying. The Night Sea isn’t going to help anyone sleep tonight, and if this is Ba trying to tell Subhi something, Subhi is confused.
The wild Night Sea reflects Subhi’s sense that he’s unmoored and that everything is wrong. Ba seems farther away than usual, and it feels as though nothing is going to get better.
Themes
Get the entire The Bone Sparrow LitChart as a printable PDF.
