Doris Lessing’s story about a British farming family in post-World War 2 Africa contrasts the richness and beauty of the land with the destructive power of nature. The major theme is survival: for the locust swarm, through instinct and sheer weight of numbers; for the farmers, through planning, preparation, manpower and, when these fail, being prepared to start over. Other themes: helplessness, devastation, the ongoing cycles of struggle against nature, perseverance. The message of the story lies in the many references to being finished/ruined. This is never certain unless one gives up hope and stops fighting to survive.
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