Nervous Conditions
I found Dangarembga's "Nervous Conditions" a very enjoyable novel. The narrator and main character- Tambu expresses her experiences with colonialism as a child growing up from a poor African community with tremendous correctness and detail. As part of the Shona Village, Tambu's life would be predictable because the women of Shona typically display subservient roles to their male counterparts. Tambu is anything but typical. She does not like the way women are treated by simply as caretakers of children and their spouses at an early age and taking the back seat to males. Tambu is determined to be different and make something of herself through her desire to be educated.Tambu's relationship with her brother was not surprising. I believe jealousy and envy played a part in how she felt about her brother as he was getting the education she most desired in life. His attitude bothered her as he exhibited a sense of shame for his family having experienced the luxuries of cleanliness, running water, and automobiles. Tambu wanted what he had and as her feelings for her brother diminished her desire to ga
I also enjoyed the final interview with the author and would look forward to reading a sequel when it becomes available. Tambu's uncle Babamukuru or Baba is a symbol of greatness of the Umtali community where he was an educated Blackman in a world of white dominance in South Africa. As Tambu and Nyasha mature you can identify the differences in their character. Nyasha who left Rhodesia at an early age to be educated in England with her parents played an important role showing how even as an African she could not speak the native language Tambu was familiar with. Dangarembga's physiological background was evident throughout the narration by Tambu making individual thoughts and feelings of the "Nervous Condition" almost realistic. I enjoyed the conversations and the laughter they shared. Though the narrative was extremely explicit, I think this added to the impression of Tambu as she entered the world of "self" from the "other". To me, Nyasha symbolizes the original resistance to colonialism in the post-colonial era as her character is well developed in the narration of Tambu. Tambu still represents the quiet, shy, and obedient nature of the Shona woman whereas Nyasha is more outspoken and defiant. A great deal of the novel reveals the development of Tambu as she becomes a young lady and the relationship she has with her cousin Nyasha. Eventually, she receives enough money to support many years of her education at the mission. I believe the author meant to portray Nyasha as the symbolic nature of disturbances associated with post-colonialism. Tambu and Nyasha share a room and become very close to each other. Tambu feels a great deal of respect towards Baba as she lives with him during the time she spends at the mission. What amazement she must have felt in the Whiteman's world with all the luxuries she had only heard about.
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Acceptance Essays
