Introduction
Ahmed’s life of challenges and struggle is just a tiny episode in the great tragedy of thousands of refugees in Europe hoping to find a better life. The book Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh tells the touching story of Ahmed, who came to Belgium with his family as a refugee. Being a stranger, he is suddenly helped by a local boy, Max, who hides him from the authorities. Marsh uses symbolism to develop the central character and present Ahmed from another angle. His watch, orchids, and false documents convey additional meanings of the boy’s bond with his father, the need for care, and the problems all illegally arrived people face in the land that they hope will become their new homes.
Symbol of Watch
Ahmed’s watch is one of the first essential symbols of his connection with the family. A father gave this mechanism to a boy the night they had to swim to reach the shore. It was a symbolic gesture, as the man knew they might never see each other again. It was “Ahmed’s great-grandfather’s Omega Seamaster,” which indicates the succession and the parent’s desire to leave at least something that would remind Ahmed of his relatives (Marsh 7). In such a way, throughout the story, the watch shows the boy’s roots and his link to the past generations and gives him confidence. The narrator says, “At least he could feel his father’s watch warm and heavy on his wrist, hear the ticking of the hand” (Marsh 30). It is a symbol of consolation and belonging to the family. It is the most important thing for a boy, and he will never lose it.
Symbol of Orchids
The orchids are another symbol Marsh added to reveal the importance of care and compassion. She uses it several times to show how attention might bring positive change to the world. The first time Ahmed sees them, they are “bone dry,” and the boy’s eyes are “welled with pity” (Marsh 39). It shows that regardless of all difficulties, he remains a human being who can sympathize with others.
The next time Ahmed notices them, he says, “You just need a little help” (Marsh 41). The line is symbolic as it can be applied to a broader context. The orchids symbolize Ahmed and other refugees arriving in Europe. They are deprived of care, as “people give up them too soon” (Marsh 41). However, attention and care might help them bloom and become better people. In this way, Marsh demonstrates how a lousy attitude toward all immigrants can make them worse and deteriorate their lives.
Symbol of Forged Documents
Finally, Marsh uses the symbol of fake documents to represent struggle and Ahmed’s unwillingness to give up. The boy correctly realizes the difficulty of making forged documents. “If these documents were so easy to fake, the refugee camps and detention centers would be empty” (Marsh 123). However, instead of despairing, he keeps trying, and Max and Oscar help him. In such a way, the forgery process also shows the boy’s struggle. He is deprived of the chance to act legally because the system does not function appropriately and protect him. For this reason, he keeps trying to find new ways, and new fake documents symbolize his hopes and the challenges Ahmed has to overcome.
Conclusion
The story, narrated by Katherine Marsh, shows the life of a refugee boy, Ahmed, who has to overcome many difficulties. The author uses the symbols of the watch, orchids, and fake documents to emphasize a young man’s connection with his family and culture, his need for care and compassion, and his struggle for a better future. The novel shows that the problem is topical and requires much attention. Thousands of boys, such as Ahmed, live in much worse conditions and require assistance to get a slight chance for a better life.
Work Cited
Marsh, Katherine. Nowhere Boy. Roaring Book Press, 2018.