N'Deye Touti's character changes quickly from being a believer in the advantages of European civilization, to understanding its limitations and duplicity. This epiphany comes when she is eavesdropping on the chief of police and a public health official. At first, she is ashamed when they notice a woman urinating in the street. But then, when she hears them speaking French and objectifying her, and "tears of rage and shame flooded the girl's eyes." (118)
As a result of this "rage and shame", N'Deye Touti returns to aid the women and translate for Ramatoulaye. Herein lies a paradox between the way the older and younger generations view and act towards the colonial power:
- The younger generation has a greater respect for French technology and institutions, but they are more likely to rebel against the colonial authority.
- The older generation holds on to their traditional language and culture, but the are less willing to participate in the strike
I like paradox that you came up with but I think that N'Deye Touti is the only person that we have read about that follows this. Rama is also of the younger generation and does not seem to fit into either of these categories. She has little respect for the French but does not follow the traditions. I was also wondering if this paradox was also used to describe the men. We have only encountered two men from the older generation that have spoken their views on the matter. There is not enough representation and evidence to come to this conclusion.
ReplyDeleteGood point sierra. Penda does support this paradox, though. She questions everything and does not let something happen "just because that's how its always been" which the elders seem to not be able to shake off.
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