Chapter eleven and twelve were quick chapters, but there was one scene that I found most interesting; the scene between the blind woman and Penda. First the characters are unique, because Penda is known as the town whore, whether she is or not is unknown. She is a tough cookie she has her attitude and does what makes her happy. The blind woman has a child, so she has to deal with the hardships of being a blind single mother, also being blind obviously has its challenges. But being blind lets someone create their own view of the world maybe that makes the world a slightly better place. I think she sees the world in a brighter lighter because of her optimism. This is illustrated in the scene where Penda is trying to learn who the father of her kid is.
“…and then she [Penda] added angrily, ‘Men are all dogs!’
‘… Maimouna said, ‘I don’t think they are all dogs.’
‘If you could see their faces after they’ve had their fun with you, you would know.’
I don’t think that this comment makes her naïve, which one could have that impression. I think that makes her world a little bit more colorful. The dynamic of the two makes for an interesting scene. I enjoyed reading all of their conversations.
I agree it was definitely an interesting conversation between the pair. At first I thought Penda was very rude in the way that she first acted around the blind women. Although through the rest of that chapter, I actually grew to like her character and the strength she had to rebel against the norm of society.
ReplyDeleteThe conversation between Maimouna and Penda brought together the ends of the spectrum of types of women in the novel. Maimouna is blind to men and the world around her (literally), and Penda has been around and seen all types of places and men. Penda is independent and takes control of her relationships with men, while it can be assumed that Maimouna was raped, and her blindness makes her weaker than the other women.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the two women have an interesting dynamic. I think that the dialogue you quoted develops Maïmouna, but I also think it develops Penda's character. We're introduced to Penda in this chapter as a mysterious, angry character who seems to be an outcast, and is completely unafraid to express her opinions. Some of the other women act that way as well, it's a result of their development during the strike. Penda, however, hasn't been a part of the strike. Her outspokenness is entirely her own.
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