User:Handerson14/sandbox

I definitely think we should elaborate more on the first section, the description of the plot, and add a lot more details. I like the character list but we can edit it once we read the book and get to know the characters! And then we could add a section somewhere about how the plot of the book relates to the condition of women in Western African society. -Hannah

I recommend we talk about women suffrage in the World at that time and how it affected a lot of relationship in Africa. Religion has been a very strong tool toward inhumane behaviors amongst people even up to till date. I suggest we elaborate women religious rites in most Islamic states during the time. Wale

I think we should also elaborate more on the culture and society of the main character. How people deal with deal with death is very culturally induced and I think that it could give a better  understanding of the view point from the character. -Jeane

Draft-

Lead Article: Needs more information about the book such as publication date. Should also give a better brief of the book in this paragraph. EX (The book is a series of letters written to the main characters best friend after the loss of her husband. Throughout the book she reminisces on the life events that brought her to this place in life during a period of a four month mourning process) Basically combing some of the paragraphs that are on here already but making them more fluid, still without giving too much info on the book.

We could also add information in the lead paragraph about the culture of the people referenced in this book. Gender relationships? gender equality? marriage rituals?

Body Paragraphs:

• Plot Summary:
  • So long a letter is written as a series of letter between the main character Ramatoulaye Fall and her best friend Aissatou. Her letters begin after the death of her husband, Modou. She writes these letters during a four month mourning process that is accustom to Senegalese culture. Her letters reminisce over past experiences and life events. She begins by describing to her friend the emotions that flood her during the first few days after his death and speaks in detail about how he lost his life. She then continues on through out the letters discussing her life with her husband which lead up to betrayal after he took a second wife without her knowledge after 25 years of marriage. She talks about how she has dealt emotionally with the betrayal of her husband and how she grew after.
  • Throughout the book there is also an underlying theme of feminism in Senegalese women. Romatoulaye was a school teacher and a well educated woman that strongly believed in women's ability to be forerunners in Senegal society. Feminism fights strongly against the Muslim religion and patrilineal society that encapsulates Senegalese culture and gender roles. The character of Romatoulaye fights back against the normalcy of culture to push toward equity between genders.
• Cultural History
• Major themes
  • Women in Senegal
    • So long a letter focuses on women in Senegal during the 1970s and 1980s. Women in Senegal have had equal rights in society such as the ability to vote since 1945. However, strong ties to Muslim religion and a patrilineal society has still left gender inequality, especially affecting women in more rural areas. Women in business are still considered to be less than men and often hold lower positions or rankings. Site: (World Trade Press. Senegal Women in Culture, Business & Travel : A Profile of Senegalese Women in the Fabric of Society (2). Petaluma, US: World Trade Press, 2010. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 3 March 2017.)
    • In Mariama Ba “so Long a Letter" she captures the difference between the men and Women of Senegal.  The Main characters (Ramatoulaye and Aissatou) both suffered within their marriages. Ramatoulaye stayed married to her husband and overcome heartbreak when her husband married his daughter’s childhood friend. Living in a hegemonic society, the women are a product of the man; therefore Women do not have the same independence of men in these African societies. When women go against the Socia norm, these women are usually exile from the community. For example, Assiatou with against the norm and moved to the United States and created a new journey or destiny for herself.  Gender and sex play a major role in African culture. Many countries in Africa regarding the role women differs among the vast cultures. In Mariama BA’s  So Long a Letter’s, women Senegal is portrayed to be more submissive; the women should obey the men whether it is the father, brother or husband.  In So Long a Letter, Ramatoulaye is a muslin- widow and she begins to write a letter to her childhood Aissatou. In these letters, the readers can see Rama journey to independence and breaking the social norms in Senegal.  Many critics applauded the female characters for who are strong and independence to break the social norm of women in Senegal.
  • Family and Community Life
  • Death Rituals: Almost all areas of Africa have rituals preformed on or for the deceased, and are rooted deeply in cultural traditions or religions (Ruddock). These practices can range from ensuring that the dead are buried "correctly" so that their souls do not stay around to haunt the living, to loved ones shaving their hair off as a symbol of new beginnings (Ruddock). Even though there are thousands of tribal groups across the continent of Africa, the death rituals between groups usually show many similarities to one another (Ruddock).

So Long a Letter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So Long a Letter

Author	Mariama Bâ
Original title	Une si longue lettre.
Country	Senegal
Language	French
Genre	Novel
Published	1981 Heinemann
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	90 pp (hardback edition)
ISBN	978-2266-02-7 (hardback edition)
OCLC	9668743

So Long a Letter (French: Une si longue lettre) is a semi-autobiographical epistolary novel originally written in French by the Senegalese writer Mariama Bâ. Its theme is the condition of women in Western African society.

So Long a Letter, Mariama Bâ's first novel, is literally written as a long letter. As the novel begins, Ramatoulaye Fall is beginning a letter to her lifelong friend Aissatou Bâ. The occasion for writing is Ramatoulaye's recent widowhood. As she gives her friend the details of her husband's death, she recounts the major events in their lives.

The novel is often used in literature classes focusing on women's roles in post-colonial Africa. It won the first Noma Prize for Publishing in Africa in 1980.

Plot Summary

So Long A Letter is written as a series of letters between the main character Ramatoulaye Fall and her best friend Aissatou. Her letters begin after the death of her husband, Modou Fall, who died suddenly of a heart attack. She writes these letters during a four month and ten day mourning process known as "Mirasse" that is accustom to Muslim Senegalese culture. Her letters reminisce over past experiences and life events. She begins by describing to her friend the emotions that flood her during the first few days after her husbands death and speaks in detail about how he lost his life. She then continues on through out the letters discussing her life with her husband which lead up to betrayal after he took a second wife without her knowledge after 25 years of marriage. She talks about how she has dealt emotionally with the betrayal of her husband and how she has grown personally throughout each life event that has happened to her.

Throughout the book, there is also an underlying theme of feminism in Senegalese women and culture. Romatoulaye was a school teacher and a well-educated woman that strongly believed in women's ability to be forerunners in Senegal's society. Sometimes, feminism fights strongly against the religion and way of life in a male dominated society that encapsulates Senegalese culture and gender roles. The character of Romatoulaye fights back against the normalcy of culture to push toward equity between genders.

Cultural History

Senegal was home to many indigenous peoples during precolonial times. Around the 9th century AD Islamization spread throughout Senegal due to the expansive trade routes thoughout Western Africa. Today, roughly 90 percent of Senegalese society follows Muslim religion while the remaining 10 percent follows forms of Christianity or mixed religions. Although many people follow Muslim religion, Arabic culture is not practiced in Senegal nor is Arabic spoken as the language. Much of their legal codes are from translated passages of the Koran. French colonialism came to Senegal in the 1800s and enforced a separation of church and state. However many still abide by Koranic law which shapes ideas of gender roles, family life, marriage, and the patrilineal male dominated society.

Major Themes

Women in Senegal

"So Long a Letter" focuses on women in Senegal during the 1970s and 1980s. Women in Senegal have had equal rights in society such as the ability to vote since 1945. However, strong ties to Muslim religion and a male dominated society has still left gender inequality, especially affecting women in more rural areas. Women in business are still considered to be less than men and often hold lower positions or rankings. Although men and women are also given the same rights to education, many women are held back from pursuing higher education because of the social norms put on women. Women are expected to take care of the household and rear children, leaving very little time to advance in society.

In Mariama Bâ's “So Long a Letter" she captures the difference between the men and Women of Senegal. The main characters (Ramatoulaye and Aissatou) both suffered within their marriages. Ramatoulaye stayed married to her husband and faced heartbreak when her husband married his daughter’s childhood friend. Living in a hegemonic society, women are a product of the men; therefore women do not have the same independence as men in African societies. When women go against the social norm, they are usually exiled from the community. For example, Assiatou went against the norm and moved to the United States; therefore, creating a new journey and destiny for herself.  

Gender and sex play a major role in African culture. The role of women differs among the vast cultures and societies throughout African countries.  In "So Long a Letter," women in Senegal are portrayed to be more submissive; the women should obey the men whether it is the father, brother or husband. Ramatoulaye is a Muslim-widow and she begins to write letters to Aissatou. In these letters, the readers can see Ramatoulaye journey to independence and break the social norms of Senegalese society.   

Family and Community Life

The average age of marriage in Senegal is between 20 and 29. Women are allowed to choose their own partners; however, arranged marriage is still practiced in some areas. Men have the ability to seek higher education and earn higher wages than women. Only men are able to buy and own property leaving marriage as the only option for women to have their own homes. Many women in Senegal only go through primary education before dropping out to find jobs to provide for their household.

Islam and Women

Some Muslim men exploit Islamic teachings to justify their sexual desires and practice polygyny, which interprets that the current wife stays happily married to her husband even after he marries another woman.  Islam is not only misinterpreted by men but by some greedy mothers as well—mothers who use their daughters as leverages to escape their state of poverty for material gains from wealthy suitors and in-laws. Unfortunately, the girls are unaware that they are seducing them into a state of passivity, silence, and acceptance of the failing common practice of polygamy. The Holy Quran suggests that men were allowed to marry up to four wives; it also says in the very same verse that one wife is best to be able to satisfy and prevent abandonment of the first wife.  Mariama Bâ used her realization of women’s rights proclaimed in the Holy Qur’an to write an important cultural critique of the mistreatment that degrades women using the very scared texts written to provide and protect orphans and widows in the case of death to the man of the house.

Death Rituals

Almost all areas of Africa have rituals preformed on or for the deceased, and are rooted deeply in cultural traditions or religions. These practices can range from ensuring that the dead are buried "correctly" so that their souls do not stay around to haunt the living, to loved ones shaving their hair off as a symbol of new beginnings. Even though there are thousands of tribal groups across the continent of Africa, the death rituals between groups usually show many similarities to one another. This is shown as the major theme in the book by Ramatoulaye's letters and official mourning process.

Characters

Ramatoulaye: The widowed Senegalese woman who, after 25 years of marriage and 12 children (frequently misstated as nine children, perhaps because that was how many children the author had), narrates the story of her psychological abandonment by her husband, who takes a second wife. Ramatoulaye physically distances herself from Modou who dies four years after this second marriage. Ramatoulaye turns down two other marriage proposals, including that of Daouda Dieng. She is well educated and teaches at a university. After her husband's second marriage, she must work a lot, since her husband cuts off family ties and financial support.

Modou: The husband of Ramatoulaye and of Binetou. He was well educated, handsome, and charming. For his own selfish desires, he marries Binetou and cuts ties with his 12 children and first wife, Ramatoulaye. He later dies of a heart attack.

Mawdo: Ex-husband of Aïssatou. After being pressured by his mother Nabou, Mawdo follows tradition of polygamy and marries a young girl also named Nabou, who is his first cousin. After his marriage with Nabou, Aïssatou (his first wife) divorces him. He is Modou's long-time friend and a doctor.

Aïssatou: Ramatoulaye's best friend, to whom the letters are addressed. She divorced Mawdo because she did not believe in polygamy; she left him a letter explaining her actions and never returned. She takes care of herself well and bought Ramatoulaye a car, which made life much easier for Ramatoulaye. Her divorce is symbolic because it represents a new life for her. She later leaves Senegal with her four sons and moves to the United States to start over. She succeeds in making a new life for herself.

Aïssatou: Ramatoulaye and Modou's daughter, who is named after her best friend. She enters into a relationship with a boy named Ibrahim Sall, whom she calls "Iba," a poor student who impregnates her. They claim to love each other and plan their marriage after their studies. Since she is still a high school student, Iba's mother will take care of the child until she graduates.

Ibrahima Sall: A student of law who impregnates Aissatou, Ramatoulaye's daughter. He is tall, respectful, well-dressed, and punctual. Aïssatou is his first and possibly only love, he says. He will marry Aïssatou if Ramatoulaye will allow it.

Binetou: A young girl around Daba's age who marries her 'sugar daddy' (Modou) because her mother, who was poor, wanted to live the high life and climb the social ladder. Binetou became an outcast who never quite fit in with the younger couples or the mature adults.

Daouda Dieng: A suitor of Ramatoulaye prior to her marriage with Modou who Proposes to Ramatoulaye after her husband dies, but is turned down.

Daba: Ramatoulaye's and Modou's daughter. She is married and the eldest child. She is disgusted by her father's choice to take a second wife especially one of her closest friends.

Arame, Yacine, and Dieynaba: Known as "the trio." They are Ramatoulaye's daughters. They smoke, drink, party, and wear pants instead of ladylike dresses. They represent the next modernized generation after liberation from France.

Alioune and Malick: Ramatoulaye's young boys who play ball in the streets because they claim to have no space to play in a compound. They get hit by a motorcyclist that they drag home with the intention of having their mother avenge them. They are disappointed to find that Ramatoulaye does not get mad at the cyclist, but at the boys because they were careless to play in the streets. This shows Ramatoulaye's wisdom in raising her children in the right way.

Ousmane and Oumar: Young sons of Ramatoulaye. They represent the idea that a father figure would be beneficial for Ramatoulaye's children since several of them are still so young.

Farmata: The griot woman who is Ramatoulaye's neighbor and childhood friend. She noses into Ramatoulaye's business and is the one to point out Aissatou's pregnancy to Ramatoulaye. She represents a 'Spirit of Wisdom', but doesn't always give the best advice. Ramatoylaye and her become friends despite caste barriers.

Jacqueline Diack: Protestant wife of Samba Diack, a fellow doctor like Mawdo Bâ. Her husband's openly treacherous tendencies lead her to depression.

Little Nabou: Raised by Mawdo's mother, Grande Nabou. She is brought up under very traditional Muslim customs and becomes a midwife. She later marries Mawdo Bâ to be his second wife. She is the niece of Grande Nabou and the first cousin of Mawdo Bâ.

Grande Nabou: Mawdo Bâ's mother and influences him to marry Little Nabou. She dislikes Aïssatou since she comes from a working-class family and her father is a jewelry maker. Grande Nabou is a princess from a royal family in Senegal and is very conservative in her views and traditions.

References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ Jump up to:^a b Rizwana Habib Latha, "Feminisms in an African Context: Mariama Bâ'a so Long a Letter", Agenda 50, African Feminisms One (2001), 23.
2. Ruddock, Vilma. "Death Rituals In Africa." Love To Know. Web. 4 March 2017.