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1So Long a Letter - Mariama Ba

Major Issues: Traditionalism vs. ModernityInequality: Gender & Class

Pages 1 - 25 Delores H. & Amanda G.

I. Introduction: A pioneer of womens rights, she became involved in several Senegalese

womens organizations. Her commitment to eradicating inequalities between men and women inAfrica led her to write So Long a Letter. (The battle to end gender equality was led by well-educated women from the elite class).

II. Time Period: It was the privilege of our generation to be the link between two periods in history,

one of domination, the other of independence. We remained young and efficient, for we were themessengers of a new design. With independence achieved, we witnessed the birth of a republic,

the birth of an anthem and the implantation of a flag.

III. Education: Ramatoulaye and Aissatou are educated women who promote gender equality.

Because, being the first pioneers of the promotion of African women, there were fewof us. Men would call us scatter-brained. Others labeled us devils. But manywanted to possess us. How many dreams did we nourish hopelessly that couldhave been fulfilled as lasting happiness and that we abandoned to embrace others,those that have burst miserably like soap bubbles, leaving us empty-handed?Regret, bitterness at having abandoned personal dreams for men who

subsequently abandoned them.

Ramatoulaye, a teacher, believes in the value of education and that it should beaccessible to all.

But what about your younger brothers? Their steps were directed towards the white mans school. Hardis the climb up the steep hill of knowledge to the white mans school: kindergarten remains a luxury thatonly those who are financially sound can offer their young ones. Yet it is necessary, for this is whatsharpens and channels the young ones attention and sensibilities.

Ramatoulaye recognizes the need for progress/modernity, but is also aware that is not without limitationsof its own.

Should we have been happy at the desertion of the forges, the workshops, the shoemakers shops?Should we have rejoiced so wholeheartedly? Were we not beginning to witness the disappearance of an

elite of traditional manual workers?Eternal questions of our eternal debates. We all agreed that much dismantling was needed to introducemodernity within our traditions. Torn between the past and present, we deplored the hard sweat thatwould be inevitable. We counted the possible losses. But we knew that nothing would be as before. Wewere full of nostalgia but were resolutely progressive.

IV. Marriage

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Ramatoulaye and her friend Aissatou both shunned traditional marriages. They both made their ownchoices regarding husbands. These choices were not without consequences. Eventually both theirhusbands returned to the traditional practice of polygamy and took second wives. The women each reactdifferently to the betrayals.

Thus, free from frustrating taboos and capable now of discernment, why should I follow my mothersfinger pointing at Daouda Dieng, still a bachelor but too mature for my eighteen years.But I preferred the man in the eternal khaki suit. Our marriage was celebrated without dowry, withoutpomp, under the disapproving looks of my father, before the painful indignation of my frustrated mother,under the sarcasm of my surprised sisters, in our town struck dumb with astonishment.

Then later, after her husband abandoned her and took a second wife;I no longer scorn my mothers reserve concerning you, for a mother can instinctively feel where herchilds happiness lies. I no longer laugh when I think that she found you too handsome, too polished, tooperfect for a man. She often spoke of the wide gap between you two upper incisors: the sign of theprimacy of sensuality in the individual. What didnt she do, from then on, to separate us?

Ramatoulaye stays in her empty marriage whereas, Aissatou divorces her husband and succeeds on herown.

V. The Traditional Practice of Polygamy and its inherent inequalities regarding women

During Modous funeral:

This is the moment dreaded by every Senegalese woman, the moment when she sacrifices herpossessions as gifts to her family-in-law; worse still, beyond her possessions she gives up herpersonality, her dignity, becoming a thing in the service of the man who has married her, his grandfather,his grandmother, his father, his mother, his brother, his sister, his uncle, his aunt, his male and femalecousins, his friends. Her behaviour is conditioned: no sister-in-law will touch the head of any wife whohas been stingy, unfaithful or inhospitable.

Our sister-in-law give equal consideration to thirty years and five years of married life. With the sameease and the same words, they celebrate twelve maternities and three. I note with outrage this desire tolevel out, in which Modous new mother-in-law rejoices.

The presence of my co-wife irritates me. She has been installed in my house for the funeral, inaccordance with tradition.

Thus our family-in-law take away with them a wad of notes, painstaking topped, and leave us utterlydestitute, we who will need material support.

Referring to the house Modou shared with Binetou:

This house and its chic contents were acquired by a bank loan granted on the mortage of Villa Fallenewhere I live. Although the title deeds of this house bear his name, it is nonetheless our common property,acquired by our joint savings. Insult upon injury!

Giving voice to her despair and bitterness:And to think that I loved this man passionately, to think that I gave him 30 years of my life, to think thattwelve times over I carried his child. The addition of a rival to my life was not enough for him. In lovingsomeone else, he burned his past, both morally and materially. He dared to commit such an act ofdisavowel.

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Main Issues forChapters 10-15Assimulation--Colonialists-[pg 24] through newspapers, dress, labor laws, and union rulesFamilies-[pg 47] retain family values and culture through oral education.

virtues and greatness of a race took root.Class/Birth Right--Names and nobility-[pg 26] following old beliefs, carrying on old traditions ,[pg 28] nobel descent, how could one marry a goldsmiths daughterCulture Lines-[pg 42] geographically.Jealousy--Mawdos mother seeking revenge for taking her only son in marriage, for sheis a goldsmiths daughter.Between co-wives--Aissatou of Naudo, and Ramatoulaye of Bineton, and viceversaReligion--IslamBelieve faith is rewarded, praying in times of need, [pg 46] beliefs supporther decision to stay with her husband.Family--Honor and blood law [pg 28]Decision MakingEducation--[for women]Nabou-[pg 29] primary to secondary to Midwife, in order to make a goodwife.

a woman does not need too much education.Aissatou and Ramatoulaye-[pg 32] knowledge from books

Oral Education-[pg 47] in familiesMarriage--Class Lines-[pg 30] marrying up or downMultiple wives-[pg 31]

a line between heartfelt love and physical love.Ramatoulaye-[pg 45] stays in marriage for fear of depression or falling apart.Divorce--Courage of women-[pg 32] Aissatou takes her life in her own hands.Benefits of staying or leaving-[pg 40] questions leaving her husband, [pg 49]should she deny herself because of Modous weakness?Beauty = Youth--

Ramatoulaye-[pg 41] youth has deserted my bodyModou-[pg 48] becomes old because of Binetous beauty, [pg 50] yet ishappy with it.Binetou-[pg 50] has success because of her beauty.