One huge example of this is through Rama, she personifies the new generation of young adults who have grown up during the process of African independence. Although she holds to her heritage and people, she has a surprisingly modern take on day to day life, she has sex before marriage, she has a "boyfriend" (which in itself is a very modern idea), and rebels against any authority that she interprets as oppressive to her culture. So even though she values the past, she applies her own philosophy and logic (over tradition) to the present.
Rama's father, we'll just call him Hadji, also provides a modernized view of Africa in the sense that he becomes a part of the thing that robbed him of his old way of life. He has been transformed into a sort of figurehead for the joining of African and European business, although judging by the resentment of many of the characters its clear that this is by no means a reconciliation but rather a greed driven partnership. Hadji seems kind of like a sell out even though he still values tradition (polygamy, wedding rituals), while Rama seems to be the opposite. Its clear that Hadji practices these traditions out of some kind of moral obligation, but doesn't really view them as sacred or important which pretty much discredits entire point of partaking in them.
Xala was very entertaining, and even though it wasn't quite what I expected I learned a lot. I'm beginning to see and understand why Africa is the way it is today through reading about these characters as they try to delineate between old and new ways while forming their own beliefs somewhere along the way.
2 comments:
uhhh Anna, what's your major. Have you considered English, like straight English, perhaps to teach college level?
Anna, I also think Rama is a most interesting character. Even though we identify with her, I think there is still criticism of her in the novel.
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