A Handful of Dates by Tayeb Salih
In A Handful of Dates by Tayeb Salih we have the theme of connection, control, greed, selfishness, rejection, injustice, conflict and coming of age. Narrated in the first person by a man looking back at an incident when he was a child the reader realises after reading the story that Salih may be exploring the theme of connection. The narrator and his grandfather spend a lot of time together. More time than the narrator does with his father. The narrator also likes helping his grandfather and likes reading the Koran to him. It is as though the narrator not only loves his grandfather but that he also has a strong connection with him. He is always there for his grandfather and the grandfather is always there for the narrator. However it is interesting that on closer inspection the narrator’s feelings for his grandfather change during the story when the narrator sees how his grandfather treats Masood. It is as though the narrator’s grandfather uses Masood as an instrument that he can profit from rather than as a human being or as a neighbour. It is as though the narrator’s grandfather disapproves with how Masood lives his life and as such sees his own actions as being fair.
If anything the narrator’s grandfather is controlling Masood and actually appears to enjoy it as he knows he will profit further from what he thinks is Masood’s ignorance of having so many wives. It is also noticeable that nobody pays attention to Masood when the dates are being harvested. It is as though his position in the village is so lowly that nobody needs to heed what he says. Also in all likelihood people probably know the politics between the narrator’s grandfather and Masood. With those harvesting the dates realising that the narrator’s grandfather is the one who has the real power. How much control and power the narrator has is noticeable by way of the fact that Masood is given none of the harvest. Which in turn means he has no way of repaying his debt to the narrator’s grandfather. It is as though Masood is caught in a vicious cycle and it will only be a matter of time until he loses all his land to the narrator’s grandfather. Already Masood has lost two-thirds of his land to the narrator’s grandfather.
Though Masood appears to accept the way things are the narrator himself is of the age in whereby he is able to formulate his own opinion and from what the narrator sees and believes he does not think that Masood is being treated fairly by his grandfather. This may be important as it brings an element of conflict into the narrator’s relationship with his grandfather. Though the narrator doesn’t say anything he doesn’t need to. He knows what is happening is wrong. So wrong in fact that the narrator looks upon his grandfather with a different pair of eyes. It is as though the narrator is coming of age. Something that is a little clearer to the reader when the narrator throws up the dates he has eaten. This may be important as it could suggest that the narrator is consciously rejecting his grandfather due to his stance when it comes to Masood. If anything the narrator may feel as though he has more in common with Masood (who he likes) than he does with his grandfather. It is also interesting that the narrator’s grandfather is oblivious to the change that has come over the narrator. He appears to be more concerned with making money than how his relationship with the narrator might be developing.
The end of the story is also interesting as the connection that the narrator felt with his grandfather has been transferred to Masood. The narrator despite his young age knows what is happening is unjust and wants to reach out and help Masood. While the narrator’s grandfather is more concerned with telling Masood that he still owes him fifty pounds. Throughout the story the narrator’s grandfather has used Masood for his own gain. Something which may leave some readers to suggest that the narrator’s grandfather is a greedy man. He is not happy that he already has two-thirds of Masood’s land. He wants all the land and he knows in time he will get it too. However the most important aspect of the story is the fact that the narrator’s connection with his grandfather has been severed and he has seen his grandfather for who he is. A greedy man who wants to break another man in order that he can further control his surrounding environment. If anything the most important person in the grandfather’s life is himself. Something which is clear to the narrator and which results in the narrator disavowing his grandfather (by throwing up the dates). Though some critics might suggest that the narrator’s grandfather is free to do what he wants. It is also true that Masood is free to live his life as he chooses. Something that the narrator’s grandfather doesn’t agree with.
What does this line mean ?? I looked at masood and saw that his eyes were darting to left and right like two mice that have lost their way home . In a small paragraph please 🙂
Without knowing the line before and after it’s difficult to say. Though I suggest that Masood is in a state of confusion. Not knowing which direction to look.
It is also possible that Masood is acting timidly due to the fact that he knows the dates will be unfairly distributed.
It means that masood is upset and feeling helpless, he knows that all his harvest is gone, and he is still in debt, he’s confused like what to do, how to repay asap
Thanks Debasmita.
Thank you very helpful:)
Why is Masood the only character who got a name among other characters?
Perhaps to highlight that he was once a man of importance. Also it is possible that Salih wants to place an emphasis on the fact that the story is about Masood.
what does it mean the theme of coming of age?
Reaching an age in whereby an individual changes or loses their innocence.
Please correct the spelling it is not the koran it is Quran
Thanks for highlighting that error Saadbhat. Fixed now.
But in text book it is koran
Thanks. Fixed again.
I want a short story that is similar to this in order to make comparisons
It’s difficult to give you a comparison as there are so many stories that may have some of the same themes. If you look at coming of age as a theme to compare. I would suggest you read Next Door by Kurt Vonnegut. You’ll find an analysis of it here.
I have an assignment to search for a story that has a similar theme and male comparison and analysis between them,but i cant find one
Next Door will work if you’re looking for a protagonist who is male, of similar age and if you focus on the theme of coming of age (or growing up). Both protagonists learn a lesson from life. That not everything is as they think it is. In Next Door Paul (the protagonist) is confronted by a woman who attempts to bribe him. While in A Handful of Dates the protagonist/narrator sees a different side of his grandfather. A side he may not necessarily like. Just as Paul may not like the grown up world he has been introduced to.
Thankyou so much for your help but unfortunately I should search for a story in another language ,either Arabic or french
I’ve read some of Guy de Maupassant’s (French writer) stories. Though none that I have read have a similar theme as A Handful of Dates.
I want The Concept of cultural sudanese tradition as repersented by tayap salih in his short story A handful of date
Unfortunately I would not be very familiar with Sudanese tradition.
If you don’t mind, I need a summary to this short story .
I would need to read the story again.
If you don’t mind I need a summary to this analysis and the role of main characters because I have a final exam in this story on this Friday.
I would need to read the story again.
I want Character sketch of Masood,Grandfather and narrator
I usually only deal with the theme of the story and if I catch some symbolism. I add that too.
Why was Masood standing aloof although the date palms to be harvested were his own?
It’s difficult to say. Perhaps he knew that others would harvest his crop and he had the expectation of reaping the rewards from the crop.
Why does the narrator make himself throw up at the end.
It may be a case that he is disgusted with his grandfather (and the way the world works).
I want to complete my assignment according to the character sketch of the boy and grandfather
The grandfather is greedy, bitter and power hungry. While the boy is innocent till the end of the story when he realises what is going on.
can you please enlighten me on the plot of the story…please
The general plot is about a young boy who idolizes his grandfather but ends up seeing a side of him which is unpleasant and changes the boy’s opinion about his grandfather.
can you please give me a character sketch of Masood… Sorryyyy it’s for an assignment .
Masood has chosen family over business. Which isn’t a bad thing. However this choice has left him open to the cruelties of the narrator’s grandfather. If anything Masood is a broken man and over dependent on the narrator’s grandfather.
Can you please give me a character sketch of the grandfather… Sorry for homework
The grandfather is a cold and selfish man. Whose main priority is profit.
Thank you so much
You’re welcome.
Can you please tell me the main events of this story
I would need to read the story again and at the moment my focus is on other stories I need to read.
Describe the relationship between the narrator and his grandfather
The narrator loves his grandfather but does not understand why he acts as he does.
How old do you think the narrator is? Give reasons to support your answer.
I would suggest he is not yet a teenager because he is easily confused by his grandfather’s actions and doesn’t understand them.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Can u give me one metaphor example from the story
I’m sorry but I would need to read the story again to answer your question. Off hand I don’t recall any of the metaphors that Salih used.
Tnx for trying to help tho
What does the narrator learn in the story?
That his grandfather is a mean man.
I have an assignment ( What would the story be like if Masood was the narrator? please help
I’m sorry but I would need to read the story again to answer your question.
I need a character sketch of the boy or the grandfather in 6-7 lines
I would need to read the story again to answer your question.
Dermot you’ve done a great job in replying to people to this date. Even with people being just straight up asking for answers. What do you think is the significance of “Be careful you don’t cut out the heart of the palm.” The palm tree is a physical metaphor for Masood. The date trees he says not to cut the heart off will eventually belong to someone. He and the tree both belong to someone else.
The date trees belong to the grandfather as well as himself. At one point the trees and himself were free. At one point Masood was financially stable and was free. The date tree is treated the same way that Masood is treated. This is very clearly emphasized when Masood made a remark that
“Palm trees,…, like humans, experience joy and suffering.” It’s very obvious that the date trees are a metaphor for Masood.
Thanks for that insight Khan. It is very helpful.
hey, please could you do poems and drama books as well? It’d be great if you could……
I’m sorry Jacqueline but I have no plans to change the format of the blog. Not for the time being at least.
What words will you use to describe the narrator
Innocent and stunned by his grandfather’s actions.
Thanks and also What is the connection between the land and the people in the story?
Land means wealth to the people.
Thank you so much and one more please What does the narrator think about Masood’s claim that palm trees ‘like humans, experience joy and suffering’?
I’m not sure. He might think that just as a palm tree may wither. So too do people. Though again I’m not really sure.
Ok thx
Thanks
You’re welcome.
what made the boy idolize his grandfather?
He looked up to him because he thought he was a nice person.
What symbolism can you draw from the boy spewing the dates he ate?
A dislike for his grandfather.
if you were end the story, what will be the end and why? thank youuu!
I’m not sure Cristy.
what do you think the significance of the title of the story?
Something so small becoming symbolically much larger.
why do you think Masood sold almost all his land to the antagonist?
So that he could have a bigger family (more wives).
thank you!
You’re welcome.
Hello, I would like to know the relationship between this story and postcolonialism ( this story is considered postcolonial .. is it just because it was written in the period after Sudan got its independence ? if yes, then what are the elements of postcolonial literature that can be found in the story? )
I’m not sure I can help you. Though you might look at the fact that the grandfather is a wealthy man and in one way may be replacing colonial masters.
Masood’s relationship with the grandfather is actually similar to how a population are answerable or controlled by a colonial master. Taking in the post-colonial aspect. Sudan when achieving independence from its colonial masters would have been able to stand on it’s own two feet. Masood is unable to stand on his own two feet because he is controlled by the grandfather and the grandfather’s greed ensures Masood will never be independent of the grandfather. The grandfather is just like the colonial masters.
Thanks a lot. Greetings
You’re welcome.
can you relate the theme of the story in today’s contemporary world?
You might look at how large nations treat smaller nations.
I would like to know the effectiveness of the use of the first person point of view.
The effectiveness is the fact that as a reader you get to see how the narrator thinks and feels.