The part of the book that has really caught my attention is gender roles. In class we have talked about how as the strike progresses that the gender role will also change. This becomes very prominent during the conversation between Ad’jibid’ji and her grandfather (the old one).
“‘Why do you always want to go to these mettings?’
‘I have to start learning what it means to be a man.’
The Old One had laughed until the tears came, shaking his head at the child. ‘But you are not a man!’
‘Petit pere says that men and women will be equal someday’”
This quote shows two things, that the roles of men and woman are changing, and that the younger generation is aware of it. Ad’jidid’ji is wants to do what is considered to be the role of the man, and she isn’t scared to be out of her comfort zone to do so. In the future I can see her acting as a woman’s activist. Something that I thought was important to notice was her grandfather’s opinion on the subject of equal rights. Since he is part of the older generation, the idea that one day the gender of someone is not important is almost barbaric.
What did you think about this conversation between Ad’jidid’ji and her grandfather?
Do you think that my generalization of the idea of the Grandfather is a stretch or realistic?
I loved all the conversations with Ad'jibid'ji. She is so direct with everything she says and is not afraid to speak her mind. I feel as though she is the example of the next generation in Senegal. She also reminds me of Alba from House of Spirits. She is loved by everyone and she does whatever she wants.
ReplyDeleteAd'jibid'ji and her grandfather represent tradition and change in the novel. She seems to follow in Bakayoko's footsteps and is always reading his books to broaden her knowledge and gain insight into new philosophies through these books. She is able to recognize the ongoing changes in her society because of this.
ReplyDeleteAd'jibid'ji seems to be in the forefront of this new women's activist movement. It is clear that the ideals are starting to form with this new generation and the sense of gender equality though it is very clear to me that she is very different from the rest of those in her society. I will be interested to see if others will follow her lead as the novel plays out.
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