A Question of Power

“It was in Botswana where, mentally, the normal and the abnormal blended completely in Elizabeth’s mind.”

In this quote, Head foreshadows the conflict of the book. In Elizabeth’s mind, the internal world (“abnormal”) collides with elements from the external world (“normal”), and part of Elizabeth’s journey is confronting this nightmarish mixture. This statement explains Elizabeth’s abstract narration thus far and prepares the reader for her complex, fragmented narration to come.

“[B]e the same as others in heart; just be a person.”

Elizabeth’s goal in her spiritual journey is to simply be a regular person, not to be overtly powerful. Though she metaphorically defeats characters representing Satan in the narrative, this monumental achievement is simply bringing her to a healthier mental health baseline. The journey is representative of a mental health battle Elizabeth must endure, and Elizabeth’s self-discovery and self-realization allow her to move forward in life as part of society.

“It is when you cry, in the blackest hour of despair, that you stumble on a source of goodness.”

Sello uses hyperbole to convey how pain and suffering produce virtue. Words like “blackest” and “despair” create drama, and only out of extreme misery does Sello suggest it is possible to turn things around. This quote informs the theme Mental Health Versus Self Discovery, emphasizing the need for Elizabeth’s self-realization journey as opposed to mental health treatment.