In chapter one Tambu, the narrator, begins this novel by saying "I was not sorry when my brother died", This introduction sentence really drew me in as a reader. I was shocked as Tambu proceeds to explain how bright and smart Nhamo was said to be, but she wasn't sorry when he died. Then, as Tambu flashes back to remember when Nhamo felt like he was higher than the rest of his family as he makes his sisters, Netsai and Tambu, carry his bags.
So far we don't have a concrete plot or theme evident in this chapter. Although as Tambu closes chapter 1, she says that she doesn't really like anyone, not even her parents for that matter. There have been hints of poverty and hierarchy or class that i expect to see more of in chapter 2 and so forth.
We begin chapter 2 with many memories of Tambus past life and experiences especially with her grandmother. Tambu is told about the lives woman have and the jobs women must do daily, but in the meantime tambu's mind is still on her education. Because her father is keeping all the money for himself and Nhamos education, Tambu decides to sell "meelies" which are like maize on a cob.
Although things begin to heat up as Tambu finds out her brother is steeling her meelies and giving them away to the sunday school people for free, as tambu finds out she looses all respect for her brother as she runs at him in attempt to kill him. Then Mr. Mutumbo, the Teacher of the Sunday school breaks them up, he advises tambu to sell her meelie at the church to the white people. This is when we start to develop a theme, racism. As a white couple walks up to Tambu's stand they instantly insult it and say this is not what they should be apart of. But they get the money only because Mr. Mutumbo tells the couple that Tambu is a Orphan.
No comments:
Post a Comment