The Rabbi's Cat

I thought that Joann Sfar had and ingenious idea to use The Rabbi's Cat  as his way of questioning the idea of traditions of faith.  Faith in God is a very personal thing that people do not like to have questioned.  But having a notoriously curious creature do the questioning; that makes it easier to accept.  Sometimes we as humans get so wrapped up in the traditions of our religions that we forget to ask important questions and develop a full understanding of what we believe; and why.   Sfar reminds us that even a Rabbi may not have all the answers, but folllowers will still seek his advice.  Such as when the Rabbi was caught at the fountain by a Jew who wanted to know about the protocol for drinking milk after meat if he were to dine with someone from a different sect of Judiasm.  The Rabbi responded by asking if he knew of anyone, if no, then why would it matter.  The Rabbi's Rabbi also exemplified this fact when he could not think of a place in the Bible regarding dogs; but both the Cat and the Rabbi knew of passages.  As a follower of any faith it is important to understand that religious leaders, however educated they may be, are still human and by any religious definition, imperfect.

The idea of questioning one's faith is important and necessary for any person learn and grow within their religion.  Asking questions leads to a greater understanding and will have an impact on faith.  Although the Rabbi's journey of discovery in Paris was a little extreme, it brought to light some of the obsurdities of religous interpretation.   (Seriously, 613 commandments  is a lot of rules to remember and follow on a daily basis.)  In the end, he brings his question of faith back to his followers and as they are waiting for him to say something profound, he just says he truthfully doesn't know why, but we should continue so you are not late for dinner.  I think the idea that he does not completely forsake all he believes is a noble one, and that Sfar has encouraged others to do the same.

I loved how Cat was able to question and accept the Rabbi's religious views in the appropriate times.  He had compassion and unconditional love for the Rabbi and Zlabaya and supported them even when he did not agree with them. 

Nervous Conditions

Nervous Conditions is a fascinating story of self-discovery and how much any one person can and will endure.  This story is told from Tambu's very naive point of view and how the experiences of others within her family shaped the woman she would become. 

She learns from her mother to develop a sense of self-worth, although I feel this was an indirect lesson.  Her mother never truly encouraged her, telling her that being a woman was just her burden in life, even suggesting that her father let her "see what things cannot be done".  By convincing her father to let her sell her mealies, Ma'Shingayi allowed Tambu to realize that she should not give up if she believes in herself.  In turn, she later reminds her mother to have a little respect for herself, by reminding her to keep a clean toilet.  That is about as low as your self worth can fall when you stop keeping your toilet clean.

Jerimiah, Nhamo, and Takesure show her that being born a man does not make you superior to women.  There is nothing about any of those men that she felt made them any more important than anyone else.  They were lazy, often rude and did nothing to provide a better life for anyone at the homestead.

Lucia was the woman who gave Tambu her voice, she showed how even an ueducated woman could be strong and stand up for herself.  And in asking for a job on the mission, what sacrifices a mother will make for her child and it is never to late to get an education. 

From Maiguru, Tambu would learn that educated women who chose family over self will have to make extraordinary sacrifices in their life.   What the novel doesn't tell us outright (that Tambu's adult self will learn) is that this balance of work and family takes a lot more that any one woman would ever admit.  I found it interesting that Tambu's punishment was the thing that made Maiguru stand up to her husband and not Nyasha's.

Babamukuru was who she called the closest to God a human could get.  She saw him as her benefactor and would be grateful for his charity, so in her young mind, he could do no wrong.  However, I would like to think that the adult Tambu will come to learn that he gave up his identity to give to provide to others.  He had no love in his heart, only obligations and social expectations to uphold.

The relationship with Nyasha and Tambu was the most profound.  They were at every point throughout the book the opposite of each other, the only time they were in complete agreement was when they were alone in their bedroom.  Nyasha made Tambu realize the person she wanted to become.  Above all else, it was Nyasha's weakness that gave Tambu thestrength within herself to fight against what was expected and to question that with which she did not agree.    I was almost expecting at the end of the book that we would find out that were born twins. 

Ngugi - Decolonization of the Mind

The effects of colonization aren't so easy to avoid.  Everyone wants to have something 'better": a better education, a better job, better living conditions, better looks, overall a better life.  Western colonization has promised all of this and lured good people away from their homes and families with all the luxuries of life.  The struggle within is how to stay true to who you are, while still having a better way of life and is that better way of life really worth it?  Ngugi introduces us to characters who face this struggle in "Wedding at the Cross" and "Minutes of Glory".  Ngugi uses these storis to bring to light the effects of colonization and language imperialism on the people of Africa.  Formal education in Africa does not allow for the traditions of cultural or religious beliefs, and then there is the isssue that you do not get your education in your own language.

"Wedding at the Cross" introduces us to a young couple in love with aspirations of marriage.  But since Wariuki was of a different social class, Miramu's father did not approve that she would marry into sin and poverty.  Her father had already risen above the poverty, coverted into Christianity and earned wealth and the "favor of the white farmers".   He did not want her to "marry one of those useless half-educated upstarts, who disturbed the ordered life, peace and prosperity on European farms".  That pretty much sums up the colonization of the mind that Ngugi is speaking against.   As the two young lovers ran off to begin their life together, Miriamu discovers that a life outside of that which she was brought up, was freeing and happy; Wariuki let his happiness fade.  His desire to live up to the expectations of Douglas Jones had in the end been what caused him to become colonized in his own mind.  Miriamu in the process,  actually became decolonized, enjoying the simple pleasures of  her life with her children and her mother-in-law.  He achieved what he had long dreamed of, but since his intentions were selfish, the result left him empty.   I felt bad for Miriamu because she chose a man that made her happy, loosing her family in the process, but since Wariuki decided their life together based on what was important to him, they both became unhappy.  This would be a great example to be shared with young couples about to be married.  Be true to yourself, and make sure the ones you love really want to be on the path you are taking them on.

Beatrice was such a sad creature.  My heart broke for her that she was in the degrating position of having to sell her body for money and it just made her feel ugly.  She began to wish that she could be more like Nyaguthu, to be what made her so desired by men.  She longs for someone to listen to her, to care for her just the way she was.  She thought she had found that in the lorry driver, only to discover that he only cared that his own needs were fulfilled.  She took his money an instead of using it to better her life, she used it to buy herself confidence and a new sense of power.  This came in the form of stockings and high heels.  I like to think she knew she would be caught, but for that short time, she had achieved what she had dreamed of, to be desired, to be acknowledged and to be in control.  It is a hard balance to be true to yourself and fit it the life you desire.  This is something that is impossible to teach, I know because I have a teenage daughter.  However, with encouragement, support and the appropriate boundaries, people can learn to fit into any situation just as you are.  First impressions and stereotypes are hard to shake, but true self confidence emerges above all else.

Nadine Gordimer

In Nadine Gordimer's writings, "Good Climate, Friendly Inhabitants", "Amnesty" and Six Feet of the Country", I found her narrators to be people with which I wanted to empathize.   I think that her characters could easily carry over into societal situations today and are a good reminder about accepting the status quo.

In "Good Climate, Friendly Inhabitants" we find the narrator working in a service station and she quickly describes the heirarchy of the working enviroment.  Everyone has a place and it works for them; she seems content with the way things are.  Along comes this young, charismatic stranger that makes her behave in a way that is unfamiliar.  She begins to question her ability to trust the way society says she should.  In the end the person she feels most comfortable sharing her situation with, and who helps her out of it, is one of the natives.  If you think about it, several similar situations come to mind.  A person of influence (whether perceived or real) comes in and charms the naive woman who trying to do what is right to the point where she behaves completely out of character.

"Amnesty" is the story that I feel I can best relate.   I grew up in a single parent home and I have a sibling that is 12 years younger than me; this resulted in my taking on the responsibilities of women at an early age, since my mother went to work after I came home from school.  It became part of my life, who I was.  I went to school during the day, did housework at night and once I graduated, I went to work during the day, and school at night.  Long story short, two marriages, two children and an unsuccessful attempt at a career because I assumed the responsibilities that are placed on women in our society...mother, homemaker, nursemaid, teacher, etc...and was perfectly content doing it.  I really sympathized with the narrator, while she was taking care of the family, life outside of her home was moving on without her, which included the love of her life.  I just hope that young women reading this are encouraged by this character and learn to move on with life and not wait for it.

"Six Feet of the Country" made me really sad.  I have had a conversation with a close friend about the fact that I spend so much time with my family that they are the only people that will care when I die.  That is not a fair comparison to this story, but it is heartbreaking to think that a person who is so important to the life of any other person can be discarded in such a cruel way.   Unfortunately, there are so many situations today that have a very similar result.   Poverty, war, terriorism, natural disasters, and simply cruel and inhumane behavior by other people.  The narrator could be any human being, with self-serving needs who makes a feeble attempt to set things straight.  He was able to balance right in the center, not too far to the left or to the right, so whoever may question his actions would get an answer that could be manipulated either way.

Nadine Gordimer's message is that blatant segragation of any people living within a region is ridiculous.  There is no situation that one could imagine which would result in a happy outcome for anyone involved.  It becomes so second nature to each social 'class' that even when people question it within their own mind, they choose not to seek the answers.

Nigerian Author, Chinua Achebe

      The common theme of Achebe's works, The Madman, Girls at War, and An Image of Africa, is how the Western World views the people of Africa and how Africans have been affected by colonization.   I have to admit that when I read his stories, I took a different message from what I think he was trying to get across.

      After first reading of  Girls at War, I thought the idea of the story was about women and their role in during a time of war.  As part of a military family, I am aware that women mostly play supportive roles in the military and only fairly recently have been permitted to fight in combat.  Women find themselves casualties of war even when they are not active participants in the actual war.  I thought that was point that Achebe was trying to get across; however, I realize that his writing is much deeper than that.  He is making strong political statements about the Western influence on his people and how colonization and war has essentially created a perception of African people that is quite unkind to say the least.

     Segregation has been happening in all societies for many years, but in An Image of Africa,  Achebe points his finger directly at Joseph Conrad for his portrayal of the African people in Heart of Darkness.  He says that Conrad is telling the rest of the world that people of the Congo are uneducated, savage beasts that should be feared.  He believes that this particular writing is an attempt to completely show the people of African as less than human and therefore, unequal to people of the white race.   My personal feeling about Achebe's response to Conrad, is that I would not have had this interpretation had he not pointed it out this way.  I feel that he was writing about the mindset of the Europeans of the time, not necessarily condoning it.  However, I live in a time when people are encouraged to explore many schools of thought not just one.

   The Madman was the story that I found to be the most entertaining.   To me, it is the simple message, "you are who allow other to think you are".  Achebe creates the main character, Nwibe, as a sensible man of good standing among his people.  The madman is an isolated individual who acts crazy because people think he is crazy.  The madman has the good sense to confront his antagonizer and then take from him the symbol of his status and run with it.  This left Nwibe running after him, literally stripped of his identity, through the market sreaming after him.  The result was that the madman was able to blend in with the people no longer appearing crazy, and Nwibe was left to appear out of his mind.  In all reality nothing had changed within these two men, just the perception of the people around them.  To me it was just a reminder that if you worry what people think of you, their opinion can be easily swayed.

Although my initial opinions have not been changed, my first response from reading usually stick with me, I now better understand his point view and how his life experiences influenced his writing.

Reader Response to Mnthali's Stranglehold of English Lit.

Mnthali is saying that young Africans being taught Jane Austen in English Literature should have looked past the technique of writing and asked why the people of her time behaved the way they did.  Although a work of fiction, Austen was limited to writing about her own life experiences; she was educated by her father, brother and the books she read.   Since these experiences were clearly different from those of young African students; he says in this way that English Literature has strangled the minds of young students leaving them unable to think independently.  Had  these students stopped to think of why the social hierarchy worked the way it did, their futures may have been different while Europe pursued the colonization of Africa.  Mnthali's angry style of writing is a tool to make one stop and listen; forcing a thought process different than what has been.   Don't allow yourself be romanticized by what you are reading; use works of Literature to contrast to your own life and ask yourself what needs to change.