Style and Setting in Dina: A Short Story by Luis Bernardo Honwana

Abstract

This paper analyzes the style and setting in Luis Bernardo Honwana’s short story Dina, with particular emphasis on linguistic expressions and the interplay between micro and macro settings as perceived by both students and teachers within and beyond the classroom context. Drawing on a close reading of the primary text, the study examines various physical locations—such as the camp, barn, cornfield, and cantinas—alongside temporal cues, environmental conditions, and cultural practices. These elements are explored not only for their descriptive richness but also for their symbolic and functional roles in shaping the narrative. The findings reveal that the setting in Dina functions as a dynamic force influencing character behavior, ethical decision-making, and social relationships. The oppressive colonial atmosphere, the harsh midday heat, and the restrictive camp environment collectively intensify the story’s themes of vulnerability, resistance, and cultural disintegration. Honwana’s use of symbolic language, vivid imagery, and spatial transitions underscores the sociopolitical tensions embedded in the text. Additionally, the study highlights how setting and linguistic expression serve as crucial narrative tools that connect events and characters, drive the plot, and expose both personal and societal conflicts. These elements provide insight into how prevailing conditions shape individual actions and interactions, establishing the setting as a vital component of the story’s construction. The study concludes that the interrelationship between setting and language in Dina is essential to understanding the story’s thematic complexity. It recommends further exploration into how such narrative strategies reflect broader concerns with colonialism, identity, and cultural struggle in African literature.