Janifa was a girl at the threshold of womanhood. Marita taught Janifa to be a woman, and dreamt with Janifa about her life as a grown woman. A good wife and good woman is a teacher for her children and those around her. She is well brought up, and cares for her family She is “one who can cook without putting poison in food” (Hove 4). A good wife is a woman who honors her parents and her in-laws (4). Marita was confident that Janifa would become this kind of woman.
Marita’s actions and personality also taught Janifa how to survive and maintain her identity in the face of opposition. Marita knew what it was like to be on the outside of society, but in the midst of her oppression, she maintained warmth toward her family. She was alienated from …show more content…
She had an idea of what future she would like for Janifa, but she did not force this future. Above all things, Marita wanted Janifa to develop into an autonomous young woman who was equipped for the world. She wanted Janifa to climb up on her shoulders and make more of her life than Marita could. Finally, Marita preformed one of the hardest tasks a mother can preform; she prepared her daughter to continue once her mother is no longer involved in her day-to-day life. Marita knew she must find her son, for she loved him and must know if he as safe. She decided to go to the city to see if he was alive or dead. Marita knows there was a large possibility she would not return from the city, so she gave Janifa one last gift: her kitchen. Janifa was touched by this gesture:
Marita, how can you give me your pots and cooking things just like that? A woman giving away her pots and spoons is giving away her womanhood, my aunt used to say. Those are the marks of womanhood, Marita. How can you do such a things to me? What will all the neighbors say when they hear that the things were giving to a girl like me? The girls has been given the husband, the girl is the heir to a husband (Hove
Marita’s actions and personality also taught Janifa how to survive and maintain her identity in the face of opposition. Marita knew what it was like to be on the outside of society, but in the midst of her oppression, she maintained warmth toward her family. She was alienated from …show more content…
She had an idea of what future she would like for Janifa, but she did not force this future. Above all things, Marita wanted Janifa to develop into an autonomous young woman who was equipped for the world. She wanted Janifa to climb up on her shoulders and make more of her life than Marita could. Finally, Marita preformed one of the hardest tasks a mother can preform; she prepared her daughter to continue once her mother is no longer involved in her day-to-day life. Marita knew she must find her son, for she loved him and must know if he as safe. She decided to go to the city to see if he was alive or dead. Marita knows there was a large possibility she would not return from the city, so she gave Janifa one last gift: her kitchen. Janifa was touched by this gesture:
Marita, how can you give me your pots and cooking things just like that? A woman giving away her pots and spoons is giving away her womanhood, my aunt used to say. Those are the marks of womanhood, Marita. How can you do such a things to me? What will all the neighbors say when they hear that the things were giving to a girl like me? The girls has been given the husband, the girl is the heir to a husband (Hove