Nervous Conditions is a tale of the inner workings of the mind during different “phases” of colonization. Dangarembga paints a picture of gender roles, the importance of education, family traditions, and the changes within all of them as the colonization occurs in the land, body, and mind. Tanbudzai (tanbu) is the narrator in this story and interacts with her dysfunctional family throughout her life as she goes from rural life to the wide world of the educated “British” world.
We are introduced to Tanbu, who is unapologetic about the event of her brother’s death. A death that brought about change in her life; for if her brother didn’t die she would not have the chance of an education. In this patriarchy Tanbu is subject to ignorance just because she is a woman. In a world where father thinks he knows best, she is pushed to extremes to obtain an education in order to “get out”.
Dangarembga writes this story from the heart of five different people, each representing a different angle of colonization. Tanbu is the ambitious native who dreams with stars in her eyes, only to see the darkside of people. Ma’shigayi (her mother) shows us the point of view of a mother who is stuck in her position, watching her children leave her for brighter aspirations. Ma’shigayi is a woman who during this story looses two of her children to the “curse” of education. Lucia (Tanbu’s aunt) is a woman who appears to be in charge, acting like a man. Maiguru (adopted mother) is a well educated woman, but while at home, has to hide the fact that she could be independent of her husband. She has a Master’s degree and is well versed in the actions of the world, but her husband holding a position of power (both in family and community) she has to be subservient to him and follow “traditional” proceedings. Lastly, there is Nyasha, which comes out as a spoiled brat but eventually reveals that she has a heart (somewhat). Nyasha is educated to the point where the mission gives her no challenge. She soon develops a disorder after her father beat her severely for ignoring his orders.
Nervous Conditions is a tale of self-discovery within a time of the loss of identity during colonization. The minds of the women in this story are representative of all women during this time of change and “mind control” of the masses. The education standards of the British world are rigorous and punish any who are unable to meet its standards. The power of language rears its ugly head as another power to keep the uneducated from moving further in the world. All –in-all this tale is one to remind us not to forget where we came from, what our family did for us, and to find an identity that works for us and think for ourselves.
We are introduced to Tanbu, who is unapologetic about the event of her brother’s death. A death that brought about change in her life; for if her brother didn’t die she would not have the chance of an education. In this patriarchy Tanbu is subject to ignorance just because she is a woman. In a world where father thinks he knows best, she is pushed to extremes to obtain an education in order to “get out”.
Dangarembga writes this story from the heart of five different people, each representing a different angle of colonization. Tanbu is the ambitious native who dreams with stars in her eyes, only to see the darkside of people. Ma’shigayi (her mother) shows us the point of view of a mother who is stuck in her position, watching her children leave her for brighter aspirations. Ma’shigayi is a woman who during this story looses two of her children to the “curse” of education. Lucia (Tanbu’s aunt) is a woman who appears to be in charge, acting like a man. Maiguru (adopted mother) is a well educated woman, but while at home, has to hide the fact that she could be independent of her husband. She has a Master’s degree and is well versed in the actions of the world, but her husband holding a position of power (both in family and community) she has to be subservient to him and follow “traditional” proceedings. Lastly, there is Nyasha, which comes out as a spoiled brat but eventually reveals that she has a heart (somewhat). Nyasha is educated to the point where the mission gives her no challenge. She soon develops a disorder after her father beat her severely for ignoring his orders.
Nervous Conditions is a tale of self-discovery within a time of the loss of identity during colonization. The minds of the women in this story are representative of all women during this time of change and “mind control” of the masses. The education standards of the British world are rigorous and punish any who are unable to meet its standards. The power of language rears its ugly head as another power to keep the uneducated from moving further in the world. All –in-all this tale is one to remind us not to forget where we came from, what our family did for us, and to find an identity that works for us and think for ourselves.
You do a good job summarizing the dilemma, and I really like how you remember to italicize the title of the novel: yay! Your commentary is reasonable, but you seem to stay at the literal level. It is good start there, but you need to also extend your observations to the more abstract metaphorical issues the author is presenting. You will get a change to do that with the film reviews.
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