Brandon Fassinger
Mohammed Bashir Salau
His 385
September 29, 2016
A feminist’s criticism of polygamy and misogyny in Islamic society
Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter gives a rare glimpse into the life of a Muslim woman in modern day Africa. After the death of her husband Ramatoulaye accounts the process of her mourning and celebrating the life of her late husband. First Ramatoulaye describes the lavish celebrations of her husband’s life, customary to Muslim tradition. Tradition dictates that many offerings of money are given to the deceased’s family as a sign of respect for Ramatoulaye’s late husband, however rather than for her own use this money is expectedly given to her in-laws. Later we are given a woman’s critical perspective of polygamy …show more content…
Even women who have achieved high levels of academic success, and social standing are expected to be submissive to the whims of the men within society. A prime example of this misogynistic system is reflected in the practice of polygamy by Muslim men, in this institution women are expected to conform to the standards placed on them by their husbands. Other examples include the distribution of money given as gifts for the family after the death of Ramatoulaye’s husband to her mother in-law. This places the male head of a household and his family as higher in social standings than his own wife. These revelations occur to Ramatoulaye in her passionate letters to her friend, the more she delves into these feelings, the more she begins to doubt the systems of the society which she belongs too. She becomes disappointed in this society that doesn’t appreciate its women. She furthers this point by describing her disappointment of her daughter Daba’s situation. She describes her fears for her daughter to fall into the same situation that she has, having married an intelligent educated man whom were originally believed to be equals, but later discrediting and undermining this by the societal norms of misogyny in the Muslim family, by taking another wife, or forcing Daba to his will. An underlying message that Ba is attempting to portray is an encouragement of education for all …show more content…
It is difficult to say with ease that the purpose of this short novel is to pursue a political agenda, however countless examples remain through the story that adheres to this. She uses many literary devices to define this condemnation of her own society. The synopsis of the letter to her friend just exemplifies Ramatoulaye’s determination to be happy. She confides in her friend, taking refuge in their shared memories and nostalgia literally and figuratively becoming strength in power among African women. Whereas she capitalizes off of the death of her husband by using it to a great degree to spread her message of social reform and questioning of society altogether, she personifies the problems of society by the reflection of her own problems with her husband. This creates a literal and figurative example by which Ba uses as a foundation for the spreading of her
Mohammed Bashir Salau
His 385
September 29, 2016
A feminist’s criticism of polygamy and misogyny in Islamic society
Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter gives a rare glimpse into the life of a Muslim woman in modern day Africa. After the death of her husband Ramatoulaye accounts the process of her mourning and celebrating the life of her late husband. First Ramatoulaye describes the lavish celebrations of her husband’s life, customary to Muslim tradition. Tradition dictates that many offerings of money are given to the deceased’s family as a sign of respect for Ramatoulaye’s late husband, however rather than for her own use this money is expectedly given to her in-laws. Later we are given a woman’s critical perspective of polygamy …show more content…
Even women who have achieved high levels of academic success, and social standing are expected to be submissive to the whims of the men within society. A prime example of this misogynistic system is reflected in the practice of polygamy by Muslim men, in this institution women are expected to conform to the standards placed on them by their husbands. Other examples include the distribution of money given as gifts for the family after the death of Ramatoulaye’s husband to her mother in-law. This places the male head of a household and his family as higher in social standings than his own wife. These revelations occur to Ramatoulaye in her passionate letters to her friend, the more she delves into these feelings, the more she begins to doubt the systems of the society which she belongs too. She becomes disappointed in this society that doesn’t appreciate its women. She furthers this point by describing her disappointment of her daughter Daba’s situation. She describes her fears for her daughter to fall into the same situation that she has, having married an intelligent educated man whom were originally believed to be equals, but later discrediting and undermining this by the societal norms of misogyny in the Muslim family, by taking another wife, or forcing Daba to his will. An underlying message that Ba is attempting to portray is an encouragement of education for all …show more content…
It is difficult to say with ease that the purpose of this short novel is to pursue a political agenda, however countless examples remain through the story that adheres to this. She uses many literary devices to define this condemnation of her own society. The synopsis of the letter to her friend just exemplifies Ramatoulaye’s determination to be happy. She confides in her friend, taking refuge in their shared memories and nostalgia literally and figuratively becoming strength in power among African women. Whereas she capitalizes off of the death of her husband by using it to a great degree to spread her message of social reform and questioning of society altogether, she personifies the problems of society by the reflection of her own problems with her husband. This creates a literal and figurative example by which Ba uses as a foundation for the spreading of her