Literature has the ability to provide individuals with perspectives of the world around them and exposes them to certain topics that they may never encounter in their daily lives.
Various novels unveil sensitive issues and allow individuals to involve themselves in the text and relate to the emotions of the character. Allan Stratton’s novel Chanda’s Secrets, gives insight into the Global South and the lack of health care and hardships that challenge a population. Chanda is a young girl surrounded by the issues of AIDS and poverty amongst her friends and family, all the while having to be a mother figure and pursue an education. Chanda’s Secrets challenges ones understanding of humanity by questioning the status quo, providing an insight into …show more content…
The main character Chanda fights for her beliefs as she knows what is the right thing to do despite the disapproval of others. This is evident when Chanda states ‘“No. You listen to me, Mrs. Taffa,” I shout. “I’m tired of lies and hiding and being afraid. I am not ashamed of AIDS! I am ashamed of being ashamed!”’ (Stratton 181). To further explain, Chanda is frustrated with having to hide her families struggle as society looks down on the issues of aids and anyone affected by ‘God’s curse’. Chanda is more concerned about the health and safety of her family and friends than she is bothered about fitting in with society and dealing with the judgement of others. Therefore, this text clearly emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo to combat against disapproval by …show more content…
Chanda started off the book asking many questions but accepting any answer that she was given and supporting it, but as the novel progressed and she grew to following her own judgment and not worrying about what others reactions or responses to it are. When approached by the topic of AIDS Chanda would be very shocked and she would ignore it in fear of others hearing her talk about it, Now Chanda is unbothered with the thoughts and judgement of people, she does whatever she wants and needs to, to keep her family healthy and safe. All of this she learned through the novel as she lived through the tragic things that were talked about by the villagers that she heard in
Various novels unveil sensitive issues and allow individuals to involve themselves in the text and relate to the emotions of the character. Allan Stratton’s novel Chanda’s Secrets, gives insight into the Global South and the lack of health care and hardships that challenge a population. Chanda is a young girl surrounded by the issues of AIDS and poverty amongst her friends and family, all the while having to be a mother figure and pursue an education. Chanda’s Secrets challenges ones understanding of humanity by questioning the status quo, providing an insight into …show more content…
The main character Chanda fights for her beliefs as she knows what is the right thing to do despite the disapproval of others. This is evident when Chanda states ‘“No. You listen to me, Mrs. Taffa,” I shout. “I’m tired of lies and hiding and being afraid. I am not ashamed of AIDS! I am ashamed of being ashamed!”’ (Stratton 181). To further explain, Chanda is frustrated with having to hide her families struggle as society looks down on the issues of aids and anyone affected by ‘God’s curse’. Chanda is more concerned about the health and safety of her family and friends than she is bothered about fitting in with society and dealing with the judgement of others. Therefore, this text clearly emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo to combat against disapproval by …show more content…
Chanda started off the book asking many questions but accepting any answer that she was given and supporting it, but as the novel progressed and she grew to following her own judgment and not worrying about what others reactions or responses to it are. When approached by the topic of AIDS Chanda would be very shocked and she would ignore it in fear of others hearing her talk about it, Now Chanda is unbothered with the thoughts and judgement of people, she does whatever she wants and needs to, to keep her family healthy and safe. All of this she learned through the novel as she lived through the tragic things that were talked about by the villagers that she heard in