She was altogether a di erent kind of woman from mymother. I decided it was better to be like Maiguru, who was notpoor and had not been crushed by the weight of womanhood.
This quote highlights Maiguru's traits and how she presents a different model of womanhood than Tambu is used to. Maiguru is educated and financially secure. She represents the possibilities education can offer women, despite the limitations she still faces.
‘Can you cook books and feedthem to your husband? Stayat home with your mother. Learn tocook and clean. Grow vegetables.’
In this quote, Tambu's father says this when questioning the value of educating girls. It is obvious that her father holds traditional beliefs that restrict women's roles to marriage and domestic responsibilities, making it difficult for Tambu to achieve her personal goals.
The needs and sensibilities of the women in my familywere not considered a priority, or even legitimate. That was why Iwas in Standard Three in the year that Nhamo died, instead of inStandard Five,as I should have been by that age.
In this quote, Tambu is reflecting on how women are expected to sacrifice their own desires for the benefit of men. Her family struggles with the patriarchal structure, which foreshadows her struggle for education and independence.
I was notsorry that he had died, but I was sorry for him because, according tohis standards, his life had been thoroughly worth living.
This quote reveals Tambu's complicated feelings about her brother's death. Even though she resents him because he got better educational opportunities than she didn't, she also knows that he achieved success and status valued by their community.