The dialogue in Nervous Conditions surrounding Nyasha's choice to read Lady Chatterley's Lover illuminates the contrast between what the promise of formal education delivers and what constitutes the reality.
While the material in Lady Chatterley’s Lover may be sexually progressive and considered by many, including Nyasha’s parents, to be explicit, I don’t believe Nyasha should be restricted from reading a novel that has characteristics of many works in the literary canon. Maiguru says that “[she] read those books at postgraduate level; I know they are not suitable books for you to read.” How do you determine what is a good time for one to read a book? Age certainly doesn’t always mirror maturity.
Thus far in the work, Tambu views education as a means of free will and liberty, something limitless. Her reaction to the scene between Maiguru and Nyasha is an observation that “I thought Nyasha out to be more respectful.” I am looking forward to the latter half of the book because I feel that it will be revealed to Tambu, that although education has its perks, like everything else in the world, some people feel it has its limits. When she realizes this, I think that fire of her own accord will be lit and she will come to better understand Nyasha’s quest for independent learning.
When Babamakuru says that his daughter “has no sense of decency,” I’m not sure if he realizes that he is equating lack of decency with a broad spectrum of ideas. I, too, would feel frustrated if I were Nyasha since my parents would have dragged me across the ocean for an education and life I never asked for, and then upon acceptance of this intellectual culture, was punished for wanting more of it.
I just want to comment on the latter section of your post regarding Nyasha's frustration. I, too, empathize with her and the reasons you pointed out are quite spot on. She was thrust into English culture, had to adapt and thrive in it, then she is thrust into the mission life. We see her juxtaposition most profoundly in Tambu village, but even in her own home, she is out of place. She has to wait patiently for her mother to do the custom of serving her father and meanwhile, logically, the food is getting cold. She wants to read books (which would be encouraged, no matter the material, to a girl of her age) but her parents are overly concerned with how they might be too risqué for her. I find it interesting and funny that Nyasha is managing to do a Western, teenage rebellion in the heart of a mission environment.
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