The Farming of Bones - Book Report/Review Example

The book itself carries various symbols that pertain to the division of the Dominicans and the Haitians during a bloody time in their history. The twins in the story symbolize this division of one nation by two races because of the way that varying reactions that the characters in the story have towards the twins. It is almost as if the twins embody the perceived racial climate of the time. That of being either Dominican or Haitian. Of whether the Dominican republic, which shares its land-space and resources could actually be considered as twins in the belly of the same mother, vying for their ample share of the resources of the land.

Due to the fact that there was a massacre of all Haitians during this period in time, the significance of having one of the twins die is quite important and compelling because it mimics or forshadows the future of the Haitians living in the Dominican Republic. Throughout the novel, it is quite evident that Senora Valencia have an almost motherly relationship. Since Amabelle was orphaned at an early age, it was not uncommon for slave children to find a sort of affinity with their masters woman.

The same can be said for the two. However, because Senora Valencia is afraid that her daughter might be mistaken for a Haitian because of her skin color, it becomes quite obvious that there is still an existing demarcation line between the two women. Sadly it is a racial discrimination line that cannot be crossed and thus, affects the relationship of the two women from that point on. This was the type of discrimination that Doctor Javier, who helped birth the children was implying to Amabelle upon the birth of the twins.

However, that discrimination found a balance because of the fact that Senora Valencia owed the birth of her twins to the able hands of Amabelle whose own mother was a paid midwife while still living. Doctor Javier, being a