Analysis of A Handful of Dates by Tayeb Salih

A Handful of Dates is a short story written by the Sudanese author Tayeb Salih. It’s about a young boy who looks up to his grandfather, until he realizes the harsh truth. The story reveals how the grandfather became wealthy by quietly and cleverly taking advantage of his neighbor, Masood.

Setting and Characters

The story is set in a peaceful Sudanese village by the Nile, where most of the events unfold in the open fields. The main character is a young boy, who also serves as the narrator. He is smart, observant, and deeply admiring of his grandfather at first.
The grandfather, on the other hand, comes across as serious, proud, and eventually shown to be greedy. Their neighbor, Masood, is described as cheerful and talkative, but also unlucky and struggling in life.

Main Idea

As the story goes on, the boy starts to understand the real reason behind his grandfather’s wealth. He realizes that his grandfather slowly took Masood’s land and palm trees over the years.

This discovery leads the boy to feel disappointed and even upset with the man he once admired. The turning point in the story is when the boy says, “My grandfather, however, jumped to his feet and I saw his eyes sparkled.”

This quote shows how the grandfather’s greed becomes more visible, and it’s the moment the boy truly starts seeing him differently.

Narration and Language

The story is told in the first person point of view, which makes it feel more personal and emotional. The language is rich and descriptive, full of imagery that helps us see, feel, and understand the world of the narrator. It starts with a peaceful and warm tone, but as the truth unfolds, it turns into something more sad and gloomy.

Themes and Message

One of the strongest messages in the story is that money and power can change people, and not always for the better. It also shows how these changes can damage relationships and cause people to lose respect even from those closest to them.

Final Thoughts

A Handful of Dates is more than just a short story, it’s a deep reflection on human nature, greed, and growing up. It’s a great story to explore personal awakening and moral conflict.

References

Salih, T. (1964) “A Handful of Dates,” in Salih, T. (ed.) The Wedding of Zein and Other Stories. London: Heinemann.