Based on the novel “nervous conditions” by Tsitsi Dangarembga, ‘Excuse me, madam,’ Mr. Matimba said in English, in the softest voice, slipperiest

Question

voice I had ever heard him use, speaking to an old white woman who walked arm
in arm with her husband. ‘Excuse me, Madam, we are selling green mealies, very
soft, very fresh, very sweet.’
Smiling brightly I held two cobs out while my stomach rolled itself into tight, nervous
knots. I did not like the way they looked, with their skin hanging in papery folds
from their bones, malignant-looking brown spots on their hands, a musty, dusty,
sweetish odour clinging around the woman like a haze. Making sure not to wrinkle
my nose, because these were the people who had the money that I needed to go
back to school, I smiled more broadly, showing all my teeth …. The old woman
looked at me shaking her head. ‘Ts-ts-ts-ts!’ she clicked (27-28).
Using the above extract as a starting point, write THREE paragraphs in which you
discuss critically how Tambu's suppressed disgust at the old couple (Doris and
George) is symbolic of her conflicted attitude towards the colonial system. You
must refer to various incidents in the novel to support your discussion.

Answer 1

Tambu's suppressed disgust at the old couple, Doris and George, in "Nervous Conditions," serves as a symbolic representation of her conflicted attitude towards the colonial system. Throughout the novel, Tambu struggles with the oppressive nature of the colonial system, which denies her education and limits her opportunities. However, she also recognizes the economic power and privilege that the colonizers possess, leading her to suppress her disgust in order to secure monetary support for her education.

Tambu's initial description of Doris and George reflects her internal conflict. She describes Doris with "malignant-looking brown spots on their hands" and a "musty, dusty, sweetish odor" that clings to her. These descriptions convey Tambu's repulsion towards the colonizers, emphasizing the physical and cultural differences between them. However, Tambu quickly masks her disgust, smiling and showing all her teeth, recognizing that these are the people who hold the power and money she needs for her education. This conflict highlights Tambu's desire to challenge the colonial system while simultaneously acknowledging its economic advantages.

Moreover, Tambu's interactions with the nuns at the mission school further illustrate her ambivalence towards the colonial system. Initially, Tambu is eager to learn and embrace the opportunities provided by the mission school. However, as she becomes more aware of the limitations imposed on her by the colonial framework of education, her enthusiasm wanes. She describes the nuns as "fussy and condescending," highlighting the power dynamics between the colonizers and the colonized. This experience reinforces Tambu's conflicted attitude towards the colonial system, as she longs for education but resents the condescension and imposition it accompanies.

Additionally, Tambu's relationship with her cousin, Nyasha, further illuminates her complex attitude towards the colonial system. Nyasha rebels against the expectations imposed on her as a young woman from a white and African family. She challenges traditional gender roles and openly expresses her frustration with the discrimination and inequality inherent in the colonial system. Tambu admires Nyasha's defiance while also recognizing its consequences. This conflict illustrates Tambu's struggle between embracing resistance against the colonial system and acknowledging the potential repercussions it may bring.

In conclusion, Tambu's suppressed disgust at the old couple in "Nervous Conditions" symbolizes her conflicted attitude towards the colonial system. She recognizes the economic power and privilege held by the colonizers while also being repulsed by their cultural and physical differences. Tambu's interactions with the nuns at the mission school and her relationship with Nyasha further illustrate her internal struggle in navigating the oppressive system. Through Tambu's character, the novel explores the complexities of resistance and negotiation within the colonial context.