In this blog Post I want to talk about the title of the book. Reading this novel I find myself constantly asking the question "What is the what?" After reading the bit about the cow and the Dinka legend about the spiritual aspect of their culture I find myself plagued with an unanswered question. After thinking abo9ut it for a while I come to the conclusion that the "What" is a negative unknown. I am battling with the idea that this Dinka story could be a method of control over the people like most religions. However I also have the feeling that the "what" in Eggers story is fear itself. In my experience any negative feelings of greed and hate come from some type of fear.
The specific story about the cow I believe is a teaching tool to conquer greed. By c
hoosing the cow over the "what" the Dinka avoided greed of something great given to them by god and the fear of the unknown. This tale speaks to the Dinka people as a lesson to avoid evil and fear. By trusting their god to take care of them their negative emotions were squashed by trust in their god and faith.
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