Thursday, February 18, 2010
Skeptical of Tambu
I have to admit, at this point in the novel I am very skeptical of Tambu's actions. I cannot seem to figure out why she is acting the way she is. Her mind- body connection seems to be even more prevalent than the first novel and she is constantly trying to please people but never succeeding. Her melt-down in the middle of class, wrestling match with Ms. Plato and brawl with her roommate seem to be all minor (if you can call them minor) illusions of Nyasha's tantrum in Nervous Condition. I feel as if Tambu is going through the same inner battle that Nyasha was, but is expressing it in a different way. Nyasha chose to forgo eating, in Tambu's case she is refusing to let her feelings catch up with her. On more than one occasion we have seem Tambu push away any feeling and suppress it so that she does not have to deal with it. This is manifesting in her life, just like Nyasha's eating disorder. Her feelings can only be kept inside for so long and it is evident that they are wanting out. The constant pull between her culture and her education, and now between colonization and her education, is pulling her in so many directions that it might be more beneficial for her to pick one side and completely disown the rest.
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I totally agree with you concerning the similarities in Tambu's new behavior in this novel to Nyasha's in the previous. Clearly, growing up in and being forced to repeatedly adjust to new cultures and environments, had serious effects on both of the characters. Nyasha, unable to properly cope with her struggles turned to one area of her life that she felt she could control and began to severely adjust her eating habits. Tambu, as now see in this novel, as she began her new life at Sacred Heart, also found herself dealing with some inner struggles. As it seems difficult for us to try and make sense of these crazy actions and choices that seem to be dominating her new character, it is probably even more difficult for Tambu herself to do so. Being inside the situation as it takes place and not provided with all of the outside information as we are, she is even less aware of some of the reasons for her actions.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to note about the comparison between Nyasha and Tambu in regards to eating. We see a perfect scene which points out the difference very clearly. This is when Tambu takes the cookie out of Tracy's hand and eats it. Not only does Tambu eat what is before with no qualms, but she even goes as far as to actively take it. Nyasha, on the other hand, forces herself to eat when being watched and then expressly goes to purge it from her body.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we see a very symbolic theme. Nyasha rejects that which is provided her and Tambu seeks it out.