Nervous Conditions #2

Nervous Conditions
Tsitsi Dangarembga

Character Analysis
Babamukuru

Each character in this novel had a story to tell and history behind their eyes. Babamukuru, Tambu's uncle, had an interesting story. He studyed abroad with his family, taking them out of their environment and enriching their lives in 'white culture'. He believes in the predominantly patriarchal society with strong opinions of woman's stand in the community. Babamukuru is a complex character that has many things going on in his life.

After completing his education at the missionary school he does not want to go onto higher education. Yet he finds himself at a crossroads, he knows that in order for his family to have a brighter future he must go study in England. So he brings his family with him, his wife and two children. His children are away so long that they forget their native tounge, Shona, and when they return Maiguru prevents them from dancing in traditional dances.

Babamukuru knew the risk he was taking when he left to go study abroad with his children. But he left his absorbtion on education and getting his family 'out of poverty' take him to a foreign land. His pereception is twisted on how life should be. His time at the missionary school led him to believe that without an education you would be forever poor and not make it anywhere in the world.

His relationship with other charcters are on the rocks. Especially with his daughter Nyasha, they always fight and do not get along. Tambu sees this and does not understand why they fight. In one fight Nyasha hits her father over an argument that involved a dance and innappropriate behavior. After this Nyasha becomes distant and develops an eating disorder.

Babamukuru went through a lot for his family. Many took him for granted and not really acknowledged the sacrafices he made to better them.

Nervous Conditions #1

Nervous Conditions

Tsitsi Dangarembga

Colonialism

In this Novel there are many thingst to talk about. From feminism, the women's role in the family, the predominatly male society, colonialism and ethics. The main chacter, Tambu, only fourteen has seen and done many things that some people cannot imagine. She is a strong willed individual who strived for her 'education and success' that her people for generations have not had. Although it is not hard to find a country that has seen influences from the western world or anywhere else, colonization has hit home for many around the globe. The effects of colonization has left Tambu in a state of confusion of her identity and sense of inviduality.

As her Uncle returns from studying he wants to send a family member to school to get an education to further the family from poverty. With this idea in mind they choose to send Nhamo to school and not Tambu. Sending the son to carry on the name and gain an education. Tambu decides to sell fruit/vegetables to gain money to go to school. She has the drive and want to get an education. A white woman named Doris takes pity on her and gives her the money that she needs to go to the missionary school.

Yet Tambu is unaware of the future ahead of her. She has seen her cousins go away and forget their language and once known cultural ways yet she still yearns for the education that will save her family from the 'poverty' they live in. Tambu moves in with her aunt and uncle where she is treated like a 'queen'. She gets to experience the other side of life that she has not been able to because she has led a farmer's life up until this point. She has led the life that traditionally her people have.

As she attends classes and lives with her aunt and uncle she witnesses and learns that Maiguru is highly educated. Babamukuru takes Maiguru for granted, or Maiguru laments her figure in the household as the cook and has to clean up after all of the family. She doesn't like the traditional views upon women. Bringing in the feminist lens here, I believe that Maiguru's educational status has her thinking about what a woman should and shouldn't do in the household. Also the all too familiar roles should be challenged.

As Tambu continues her studies and finals roll around Nuns come and administer a test. Tambu is offered a scholarship and accepts it. She finds herself distant from Nyasha her cousin and once bestfriend. While away she grows even more distant Nyasha finds herself battling an eating disorder. As Tambu's mother puts it, the "englishness" has affected her. I believe that if Nyasha wasn't sent to school and placed in an environment where there is pressure to look pretty and be thin that she wouldn't have succumbed to the disorder in the first place.

It is the tragic effects of colonization that affects each of the characters in the novel. Babamukuru is under the belief that only education can save them from poverty. But who is to say that Tambu's clan likes the life they lead? Who is to say that they are not happy living their traditional way of life of farming, cultivating the land and living day to day? The effects of colonization are seen world wide and effect many of the souls walking upon this earth. It has made some of the greatest people yet have stripped them of heritage and cultural ways.