How is tradition depicted in the novel?
In the novel, tradition is depicted as outdated. The main character Vera is a bold woman who is not afraid to test African tradition. This is seen when Vera’s sister, Jacinta, is appalled when Vera informs her that she and Eric are expecting. Jacinta calls Vera foolish because, even though she obtained an education, Jacinta thinks she is acting naively by allowing a man to get her pregnant before he puts a ring on her finger. She tells her that Eric should have introduced himself to Vera’s parents and paid a dowry to marry her. Vera labels her sister’s comments as blasphemy and dismisses them. When Vera’s mother finds out about her pregnancy, she is embarrassed and angry. She claims that Vera has disgraced her by not maintaining her purity which is a tradition for African women. Vera’s father is also angered by the news because he regrets spending money on her education only for her to get pregnant out of wedlock. However, he allows Eric to come to his compound and introduce himself. Eric and Vera dress in traditional African attire, and they are instructed to perform certain rituals. Eric pays the dowry and entertains Vera’s father and uncles. Throughout the ceremony, Vera is irritated because she despises the traditions and considers them trivial. Throughout the novel, Vera rejects African tradition and accepts a modern lifestyle. She demonstrates this again when she is offered a promotion that requires her to leave her home country and work in West Africa. Vera is excited about the position because she has a desire to advance in her career. However, her husband Eric encourages Vera to decline the job offer, saying she should be more focused on her family than her job. Vera refuses Eric’s advice, taking the job. This causes a strain on their marriage, but they are able to work through it. Vera’s professional ambitions differ from that of the traditional African woman, who is encouraged to be a mother and wife and who should not concern herself with working outside of the home. However, Vera rejects this limited role that African women are expected to play and decides to follow her own desires.
In the novel, tradition is depicted as outdated. The main character Vera is a bold woman who is not afraid to test African tradition. This is seen when Vera’s sister, Jacinta, is appalled when Vera informs her that she and Eric are expecting. Jacinta calls Vera foolish because, even though she obtained an education, Jacinta thinks she is acting naively by allowing a man to get her pregnant before he puts a ring on her finger. She tells her that Eric should have introduced himself to Vera’s parents and paid a dowry to marry her. Vera labels her sister’s comments as blasphemy and dismisses them. When Vera’s mother finds out about her pregnancy, she is embarrassed and angry. She claims that Vera has disgraced her by not maintaining her purity which is a tradition for African women. Vera’s father is also angered by the news because he regrets spending money on her education only for her to get pregnant out of wedlock. However, he allows Eric to come to his compound and introduce himself. Eric and Vera dress in traditional African attire, and they are instructed to perform certain rituals. Eric pays the dowry and entertains Vera’s father and uncles. Throughout the ceremony, Vera is irritated because she despises the traditions and considers them trivial. Throughout the novel, Vera rejects African tradition and accepts a modern lifestyle. She demonstrates this again when she is offered a promotion that requires her to leave her home country and work in West Africa. Vera is excited about the position because she has a desire to advance in her career. However, her husband Eric encourages Vera to decline the job offer, saying she should be more focused on her family than her job. Vera refuses Eric’s advice, taking the job. This causes a strain on their marriage, but they are able to work through it. Vera’s professional ambitions differ from that of the traditional African woman, who is encouraged to be a mother and wife and who should not concern herself with working outside of the home. However, Vera rejects this limited role that African women are expected to play and decides to follow her own desires.
What does the characterization of Vera suggest about the modern African woman at the turn of the millennium?
The characterization of Vera suggests that modern African women are no longer accepting society’s limited roles of mother and wife. As embodied by Vera, these women are following their own passions, desires, and ambitions. Vera was urged by her husband Eric to focus on advancing their family instead of her career. However, Vera refused to deny a promotion after she had worked so hard in her field. Her bold decision offended Eric because he felt as though she chose her job over her marriage and children. Vera made it clear that she has an identity outside of motherhood and marriage.
The characterization of Vera suggests that modern African women are no longer accepting society’s limited roles of mother and wife. As embodied by Vera, these women are following their own passions, desires, and ambitions. Vera was urged by her husband Eric to focus on advancing their family instead of her career. However, Vera refused to deny a promotion after she had worked so hard in her field. Her bold decision offended Eric because he felt as though she chose her job over her marriage and children. Vera made it clear that she has an identity outside of motherhood and marriage.
What are the effects of having the narrative presented as a series of letters?
The effect of the narrative being presented as a series of letters is that we get to connect with Vera. We are given access to many areas of her life in which we experience pain, joy, and dreams with her. She guides us through her everyday life as she meets her husband, has kids, advances in her career, and experiences trouble in her relationships. This form of narrative gives us depth unlike some of the other characters in the novel in which we only gain a surface-level understanding of them.
The effect of the narrative being presented as a series of letters is that we get to connect with Vera. We are given access to many areas of her life in which we experience pain, joy, and dreams with her. She guides us through her everyday life as she meets her husband, has kids, advances in her career, and experiences trouble in her relationships. This form of narrative gives us depth unlike some of the other characters in the novel in which we only gain a surface-level understanding of them.
Aaliyah Robinson, Spring 2021