Thursday, March 4, 2010
I'm glad for the turn around!
I am very relieved to read a novel that does not sound so depressing but has a happy outlook on life through the eyes of an child. Wole does write in an adult voice using a child's perspective on life. Many speak on this in class and say that its not believable but how can one turn off all of their education to pick up the speech of an three year old? Wole's writing helps put you in the character's world. My favorite part of the book is that they all call him "lawyer". You just imagine a little three year old always questioning and wanting to prove his maturity to the household. He is so eager to find out about everything and his inquisitiveness keeps the reader wanting to read more and find out what he is discovering. I think the novel has given us the happier version of the view of colonialism and not the "I was not sad when my brother died" version.
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Taja,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's definitely different from what we've read thus far, and I share the same feelings that you have for this book. I think young Wole, or little "lawyer," effectively expresses self-paean of culture, expressing words and this hunger for learning as an integral part of every culture. That part where they call him "lawyer" appears to denote this sense of self-confidence and the certainty to go through with what you believe at the time you possess that kind of confidence. Young Wole continues to possess this self-confidence, which allows him to immerse himself into culture and language. I think that his upbringing and the opportunity has allowed him to learn, without this pressure (like Tambu) to be the sole provider of opportunities, shaping his sense of what he sees and thinks of the world.
I completely agree. Although I do not believe parts of this novel, I am enjoying the positive outlook on life. It is refreshing to see a child living like a child, and fulfilling his young dreams. He does not have pressures or expectations to live up to, he is allowed to do as he pleases, and come into his own. Which I am enjoying.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely enjoying this turnaround as well, although I think it has less to do with Wale/ Tambu and more to do with the authority figures in the story. As we discussed in class a little bit, authority figures in Soyinka's account may not take Wole entirely seriously, but they seem to generally support him. Their laughter at him is not derisive in the way that Mai's is towards Tambu- that kind of bitter laughter meant to take her down a notch or two and prepare her for a world where she won't be able to achieve much. The laughter at Wole seems to hint that even though he is a precocious child, the adults can see he is someone special and will grow into that role in time.
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