Road to Mecca

353 Words2 Pages
The Road to Mecca What is symbolised by the cement sculptures of camels, wise men, owls and angels in Helen’s back yard house in The Road to Mecca? One of the themes in the Road to Mecca is light vs. darkness. Helen’s candles, which symbolise courage and bravery to her, portrays the same qualities in Helen when she reaches the end of her pilgrimage. In showing Marius her ‘real’ self shows how she has grown in courage and is being brave, opening herself up to his opinion. Through her art, Helen is on a pilgrimage of the soul until she reaches Mecca; Mecca is symbolic for Helen to reach her own spiritual peak. The pilgrimage was not for others to judge, but for Helen to grow in her inner braveness and courage, to conquer ‘the darkness’ of not having her own purpose; ‘This is as far as I can go. My Mecca is finished and with it … The only real purpose my life has ever had” The three wise men, which Helen portrays in her sculptures, also had a vision they followed (the star). They rode on camels which were their mode of transport to pilgrimage. Helen’s mode was her art. Camels are known for their ability to travel far distances ‘dry spells’ before reaching their destination (Mecca). Helen is also travelling the distance with her own ‘dry spell’. Helen’s creative ‘dry spells’ ended in darkness and despair knowing she has not reached Mecca yet. The owl sculptures were Helen’s totem animal; her spiritual guard. The sculptures were on all four corners of Helen’s house and also ‘guarding’ the gate. Owls are night creatures, and therefore not afraid of the dark. They are also wise and perceptive creatures. Helen strives to have the same qualities, to not be afraid of the darkness in her life and to have wisdom and insight. The owl over the entrance to the camel yard is distinctive as it has a defensive stance. Helen says her artwork represents beauty, divinity,
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