Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Colonization
What seems to be author's point in this text regarding colonization and the effects on Africans of receiving European style educations and European experiences? What is your own reaction to her ideas? Finally, was
Tambu brainwashed, or seduced, by the “Englishness?” Explain. 2-4 paragraphs with at least two quotes to support your ideas.
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I think that Tsitsi Dangarembga's point was to show how putting someone in a whole different environment can change their identity, how you feel about yourself, and how others feel about you.. I think that she is also trying to show that it is okay to assimilate yourself in a different culture as long as you do not forget where you came from. I think that Tsitsi is right. When i left Montera Middle School for the eighth grade to attend Athenian I could feel myself changing, and I could feel how some of my friends were changing how they felt about me. Though, I did learn to embrace the Athenian culture, I spent as much time with my old friends in Oakland as possible to remember how to stay as myself.
ReplyDeleteI think that Tambu was more seduced than brainwashed by the "Englishness". Though Tambu was impressed and in awe with the new culture that surrounded her, you could tell that she was completely aware about what was happening in her surroundings the whole time. She payed close attention to the ways of the people in the house and their feelings, to help develop her own opinions of the new world that she was in. For example, Tambu's statement, "Not only was I succeeding in my own context, but in other people's as well (95)," is a good example of how Tambu was always aware of her surroundings.
Another reason why I do not think that Tambu was brainwashed is because she still ended up keeping her loyalty to her parents. When she realised that the wedding Babamukuru was planning for her parents was more of a joke than a respected ceremony she decided to stand up for herself and her parents. Tambu saying,"...I did not want to go to that wedding that made a mockery of the people I belonged to(165)," showed that she still cared about her parents and where she was from.
I agree with what you say about Dangarembga's view of colonization. I like how you write about her always being aware of herself and her identity, because she had reference of what would happen to herself if she did forget where she came from. Also, bring up the fact that she did not go to her parents wedding is an interesting idea in the discussion of colonization.
DeleteDangarembga’s point in the text about colonization was that it is good and it can have a great affect on people and their society but too much and they forget their origins and it corrupts them. When Nyasha said, “It’s bad enough, when a country gets colonized, but when the people do as well! That’s the end really, that’s the end (150).”She understood that the missionaries would bring their ideals and try to seduce the people of the country to adopt them as well, but as soon as they started to adopt the missionaries ways and forget there culture that was the problem. Nyasha meant this as a type of warning for Tambu to remember her past, but it was coming from experience because Nyasha had forgotten her culture when she came back form England.
ReplyDeleteDangarembga also told about the great affects of European style educations and experiences. When Babamukuru received his education in South Africa and England it completely changed not only his life, but also his whole families lives as well.
I do agree with Dangarembga on her views of colonization. I think progress is good and worthwhile but only if you remember were you come from so you have a reference point. Also, I don’t think she was brainwashed by the Englishness because if she had she would have enjoyed her parents wedding as much as everyone else. She was definitely seduced though because she wanted to keep moving to get the best education she knew of. If she hadn’t been seduced by the Englishness then she would have been fine staying at the mission receiving the education she would receive.
The author's point in the author's telling about the colonization of Africans is to show how education, and a different environment can change one's behavior. My reaction to what the author conveys in the text is that I did expect it based on what happened to her cousin. I believe that Tambu is being effected by the Englishness, but in a slow way like Nyasha or Maiguru.
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