Characters
Vera: protagonist of Whispers from Vera; modern, emancipated career woman and wife and mother who authors the letters that is the novel Unnamed friend: the recipient of the letters; knows the sisterhood Eric: Vera’s husband Sheila: Vera’s best friend in the city Samson: Shelia’s husband; politician Ben: Eric’s friend; Vera has an affair with him Jacinta: Vera’s older, more traditional sister Martina: Eric’s daughter with a woman from college Kenny: Vera and Eric’s oldest son Arthur: Vera and Eric’s youngest son Mark: one of Vera’s former boyfriends Cassanova: another of Vera’s former boyfriends Vera’s mother: religious and traditional woman who lives in the village Vera’s father: does not have a close relationship with Vera; sells his land instead of bequeathing it to his daughters Eric’s mother: dies of bee stings Eric’s father: becomes ill and Vera wonders if she will have to care for him The Sisterhood: Vera, Sheila, and one or two other women who gather and talk; they support Vera’s move for promotion |
Definitions
Amasaasa: berries from wild bushes
Matojo: a kind of small tree or scrub Amin Nvako: a long dress or skirt Tonto: locally brewed beer made with bananas and sorghum Matooke: plantain Emumbwa: a concoction of various herbs, molded into different shapes, meant to cure many ailments Obukuranda: traditional herbs worn around the waist by expectant mothers Bitenges: African attire usually worn with a headgear Anti: slang term meaning “you see" Gomesi: traditional wear for women in most tribes of Uganda; long flowing dress with a sash around the waist Kasiki: bachelor’s party organized separately from the groom and bride the day before the wedding |
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VERA:Important Scenes
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The Lonely Labor (“I went into labour alone. I panicked when the water broke while still at home. It was in the middle of the night...”)
Arthur’s Hospitalization (The ENT specialist “has advised us to take him to South Africa for an operation, if we can afford it. That the abscess can easily turn fatal if it grows big and bursts...”) Vera’s Project (“I got my entire annual housing allowance in advance and acquired a piece of land! I feel so pleased with myself. At least I own one asset in my life, which is not tagged to being Eric’s wife, or owned jointly...”) |