We Need New Names

“America is too far […] you have to be able to return from wherever you go.”

This quote describes Bastard’s thoughts on leaving Zimbabwe, and he says this in response to Darling wanting to live in America. The quote foreshadows that Darling won’t be able to return later on because it’s too far and expensive, and she doesn’t have proper immigration documents.

“If you’re stealing something it’s better if it’s small and hideable or something you can eat quickly and be done with it, like guavas. That way, people can’t see you with the thing to be reminded that you are a shameless thief and that you stole it from them.” 

Darling’s childlike logic is deceptively simple; her logic highlights the fact that the whites who stole Zimbabwe could never get away with it because it is so large, and people witnessed their crime.

“They did not come to Paradise. Coming would mean that they were choosers.” 

Paradise is a shantytown filled with people, but these residents did not choose to live there. The narrative reveals that the inhabitants of Paradise had their lives and homes destroyed and so ended up there because they had no other choice.