Tambu

From the beginning of Chapter four, Tambu is vehement on her new horizons leaving “no room for what [she] left behind.” Those whom she leaves behind are her materialistic father, anxious mother, and silly sisters. It’s apparent that Tamdu is ready to become the leader for her family, which would of never plausible had it not been for the death of Nhamo. As a result, I feel like she has put all her eggs in one basket on her education where she will have “the leisure, be encouraged to consider questions that had to with survival of the spirit, the creation of consciousness, rather than mere sustenance of the body.”

Babamukuru’s home is immaculate, grand, refined, and white, “one of the less beautiful aspects.” This “clinical, antiseptic white” represents another hurdle: European/Western establishments and systematized education may contort and dissolve the lifestyle of native Africans. Due to Tamdu’s eagerness for self-improvement, she readily appreciates cleanliness, tailored clothing, and abundance of food. While Tamdu places her studies above going to school dances with Nyasha, she seems to be aware of the ambiguity in her uncle’s attitude toward the mission. All the characters regard Babamukur so highly; it must weigh heavily on all his decision-making, whether or not he wants to maintain his authority. The primary attraction may not be so much material but standing. What and how are people going to remember you seems to foster importance among African culture.

While there is an indication of a native education as well as a European one, the indigenous one opens fewer doors for women and the European one is too much of a break from local roots. For this novel’s time period, there are still prejudices against women. Maiguru turns out to have a Master in Philosophy and worked during her family’s stay in London; yet, she never sees her money and people in the village believe she went to London solely to look after her family. It actually seems that despite all efforts to assimilate women are still with the shorter end of the stick. So, it’s difficult for me to say if the homestead or the mission, in the long run, proves to have been the more significant environment.