Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy’s Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard

Numerous examples of “angels” and “beetles” are seen throughout the text, supporting the book’s primary theme that appearances can be deceiving. Beetles, in this book, refer to an individual perceived by society as being lowly, undeserving, or otherwise maligned. However, as Mawi notes in Chapter 5, these beetles are usually angels in disguise, meaning, the “beetles” often have value far beyond their immediate appearance.

The “beetles” that appear throughout the text are numerous, and they arrive in the story in different contexts. There are the two homeless men cared for by both Haileab and Tewolde. There is the collective habesha refugee community, often perceived as lowly and undeserving. Mawi himself is often looked down upon, particularly by his classmates in Wheaton. All of these instances show that “beetles” in America have many different permutations. Notably, while “beetles” can be different ages/backgrounds, people of color are most often deemed “beetles” in this text. 

Haileab is perhaps the most poignant example of a beetle/angel, seeing as Haileab is rendered a beetle twice over the course of the book. First, he is given beetle status simply by coming to America and losing the wealth and dignity he had as a doctor in Africa.