In Nervous Conditions (1988), written by Tsisti Dangarembga, there is an interesting dynamic between Tambu and her parents, and Tambu and Babamukuru. Tambu’s parents are not married, and it unique that two people are unmarried and have children in Shona culture. Babamukuru, a superior and authoritative figure, views Tambu’s parents as sinners. He goes on to suggest that Tambu’s parents’ marriage status is the cause of the family’s bad luck. Although Tambu is not overtly close with her parents, she still feels embarrassed for her immediate family and for herself because of the fact that Babamukuru is placing such hurtful and negative labels. Due to the anger and resentment that Tambu feels toward Babamukuru because of this, she ultimately decides
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Babamukuru becomes very disappointed with Tambu’s decision, expressing how he does so much for Tambu, yet she disobeys him. Up until this point, Tambu has obeyed her uncle seemingly explicitly, but this marks a turning point in how Tambu views Babamukuru. For one of the first times, Tambu stands up to Babamukuru, which works against her view of him as almighty and infallible. Although Tambu receives the punishment of 15 lashes and Anna’s duties for two weeks, she becomes proud of herself. Prior to the incident, Tambu viewed Babamukuru as close to an ideal man in many ways, but in reality, he is not as composed as she might think, and lacks in certain areas, “Restless, agitated, and anxious, Marketplace Man was an absentee landlord at home and an absent father with his children…His efforts at self-making transform the political and economic spheres” (Kimmel, 75). While Babamukuru might excel at filling his role as the head of the family, when it comes to interacting with his children and family, he is not perfect. Kimmel further suggests that Marketplace Manhood requires proof and, which entails evidence of success. With that being said, Tambu begins to realize that Babamukuru pushes his family because he feels as if he has to prove something to …show more content…
Prior to the incident, Babamukuru viewed Tambu as somewhat submissive and obedient. One he sees that she is willing to stand up for her own beliefs regarding the wedding, Babamukuru realizes Tambu is more independent than he initially thought. For example, when Tambu receives a scholarship to attend Sacred Heart, Babamukuru originally does not want her to attend because he believes she might go awry. Society expects for women to behave and carry themselves in a certain manner, as suggested in Gender and Nation (1997), “The importance of women’s culturally ‘appropriate behavior’ can gain special significance in ‘multi-cultural societies’…It tends to construct the members of minority collectives as basically homogenous, speaking with a unified cultural voice” (Yuval-Davis, 219). At the time that the novel is set, there is a clash in British and Shona culture, at which point gender norms can begin to take on a different role. While society expects Tambu to obey males and whites, the fact that Tambu speaks out shows how she is not part of a homogenous, oppressed group—she is willing to challenge authority and act in her own interests. While Tambu disobeying Babamukuru’s orders weakens his authority in some ways, Babamukuru also seems to develop somewhat of an appreciation for Tambu’s strong will and
Babamukuru becomes very disappointed with Tambu’s decision, expressing how he does so much for Tambu, yet she disobeys him. Up until this point, Tambu has obeyed her uncle seemingly explicitly, but this marks a turning point in how Tambu views Babamukuru. For one of the first times, Tambu stands up to Babamukuru, which works against her view of him as almighty and infallible. Although Tambu receives the punishment of 15 lashes and Anna’s duties for two weeks, she becomes proud of herself. Prior to the incident, Tambu viewed Babamukuru as close to an ideal man in many ways, but in reality, he is not as composed as she might think, and lacks in certain areas, “Restless, agitated, and anxious, Marketplace Man was an absentee landlord at home and an absent father with his children…His efforts at self-making transform the political and economic spheres” (Kimmel, 75). While Babamukuru might excel at filling his role as the head of the family, when it comes to interacting with his children and family, he is not perfect. Kimmel further suggests that Marketplace Manhood requires proof and, which entails evidence of success. With that being said, Tambu begins to realize that Babamukuru pushes his family because he feels as if he has to prove something to …show more content…
Prior to the incident, Babamukuru viewed Tambu as somewhat submissive and obedient. One he sees that she is willing to stand up for her own beliefs regarding the wedding, Babamukuru realizes Tambu is more independent than he initially thought. For example, when Tambu receives a scholarship to attend Sacred Heart, Babamukuru originally does not want her to attend because he believes she might go awry. Society expects for women to behave and carry themselves in a certain manner, as suggested in Gender and Nation (1997), “The importance of women’s culturally ‘appropriate behavior’ can gain special significance in ‘multi-cultural societies’…It tends to construct the members of minority collectives as basically homogenous, speaking with a unified cultural voice” (Yuval-Davis, 219). At the time that the novel is set, there is a clash in British and Shona culture, at which point gender norms can begin to take on a different role. While society expects Tambu to obey males and whites, the fact that Tambu speaks out shows how she is not part of a homogenous, oppressed group—she is willing to challenge authority and act in her own interests. While Tambu disobeying Babamukuru’s orders weakens his authority in some ways, Babamukuru also seems to develop somewhat of an appreciation for Tambu’s strong will and