The pervasive influence of colonialism in this slim novel is felt so strongly that even though only one white man appears—pith helmet-wearing LivingstThe pervasive influence of colonialism in this slim novel is felt so strongly that even though only one white man appears—pith helmet-wearing Livingston—it has cleaved the hillside community at the heart of the story into two warring sides: those who cling to the traditions of the tribe and those who embrace the “magic” of the white man. Writing in a deceptively simple, almost mythic style, Thiong’o relates the story of this house divided against itself. Waiyaki, a young leader and teacher of his people attempts to tap the benefits of the colonizers (education and healthcare) without the negative aspects (giving up their culture and land to the invaders). However in his pursuit to provide the “white man’s” education to his people, his commitment to his tribe and their customs, including ritual circumcision, is called into question by his arch nemesis, Kobonyi, whose hawkish thirst for power and influence jeopardizes not only Waiyaki’s life and achievements, but potentially the long-term survival of the hillside people. The “face” of the occupiers is shown only through the caricature of the religiously-repressive and Bible-impassioned convert, Joshua, who has decided that all of the tribal customs are the work of the devil, but he only acts as a wedge divide the two foes, Waiyaki and Kobonyi. The reader is left to decide which path is best: adopt the ways the colonizers by negating your own culture and identity, isolate yourself from the invaders and fight a losing battle against their forces, or walk a bridge between the two. Sadly, those who try the latter road do not fare well....more
Second Class Citizen is a very auto-biographical account of Buchi Emecheta’s emigration from Nigeria to London. It’s a personal story, one that candidSecond Class Citizen is a very auto-biographical account of Buchi Emecheta’s emigration from Nigeria to London. It’s a personal story, one that candidly depicts the challenges of living with a difficult and unfaithful spouse, of being a young mother with little money, of the added challenge of “polite” racism that forced her to live beneath her previous standards, and even her own trivial concerns, such as not being properly dressed in the hospital after nearly dying during childbirth. One wants to reach through the pages and shake this obviously intelligent woman and make her stand up on her own. Her upbringing in Africa has taught her that women are second class and do not matter as much as their husbands, they are only to take care of the home and have as many children as possible. Thankfully, after living in London for years, she unlearns those childhood “lessons.” You can hear this woman’s voice as you read and know she is a person you could easily befriend and always be entertained by; she almost always finds the positive in the negative (and she’s got plenty of negatives!). Dr. Emecheta is an author who has been an inspiration to me; not only was she living in a foreign country raising five children and acting as the sole support for her family, but she still managed to have a career and write prolifically. Where she had the time is anyone’s guess. ...more
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