Mariama ba published So Long A Letter in 1979. This autobiographical novel is about women in western Africa. This essay will describe the novel’s theme and show how Africa is represented. This essay will also provide information about the main characters of the novel.
The novel’s subject is first, the condition of Western African women. Mariama Ba is the author of So Long a Letter. It was her first novel. The book has three main characters. Ramatoulaye the storyteller behind So Long a Letter is the first. The book is Ramatoulaye’s journal. It also contains a long letter she wrote to Aissatou. Ramatoulaye shares a space with an age similar to Senegal’s freedom. Aissatou is the second character. Ramatoulaye’s beloved companion and the recipient of her letters, Aissatou. Her father is a goldsmith and she comes from a poor background. Modou is the last name of Modou. Modou is related and a husband to Ramatoulaye. He is often referred to as the union organizer. The second, So Long A letter is composed by Ramatoulaye as a single long letter to Aissatou. This was after Modou, Ramatoulaye’s better-half, died unexpectedly from an unexpected heart attack. Ramatoulaye is participating in ‘iddah. This is a multi-month grieving process that widows in Muslim Senegalese cultural must follow. Ramatoulaye’s letter reveals her feelings and gives insight into her husband’s death. She talks at this point about the existence she had with her spouse, and the circumstances that Modou took her in her place by marrying a second man without her consent after 30 years. Ramatoulaye reveals to Aissatou the subtleties of her treachery and how she has grown throughout every stage of her life. This was the main focus of the book.
Mariama B, the late Mariama offers a poignant depiction on ladies’ battles in Senegal as it begins to become autonomous. Ba’s book is neither a guidebook nor a querying tool. She examines the perplexing issues faced by two Muslim wives as they deal with second relationships. Mariama Ba’s book explains the difficulties women face in Senegal. This is the moment Senegalese women fear. She will sacrifice her possessions for her family-inlaw. But worse, her personality will be lost. Mariama ba tries to explain through this quote, that women surrender their personalities when they adhere to certain procedures. If I could make a change to the novel’s concept, I would shift the focus from women to men to women. It’s because there was a time when Senegal had many women struggling. But, there were also many men experiencing difficulties.
So Long a Letter is a powerful and honest record of polygamy testing for women. But it’s also a clear explanation of why the book’s message requires that ladies be independent. Ba through Ramatoulaye shows women the inner strength they need to confront all their fears and challenges. The book also reveals the disappointments, uncertainty and expectations of those who are stuck in the social evolution of 20th-century Africa.
