Assalamualaikum w.b.t.
This novel depicts the situations of Muslim African women that evolved
in Senegal. In this book, Ramatoulaye is the primary character who faces a lot
of tests or sufferings in her life. The crisis in her life starts when her
husband, Modou Fall marries another girl
named Binetou who has the same age as her daughter, Daba. Ramatoulaye somehow
does not expect this marriage to happen despite all his efforts to tackle her
prior to and during their marriage for more than thirty years.
I want to comment on
Modou who has totally abandoned Ramatoulaye and his children after his second
marriage. This is the root of Ramatoulaye’s sufferings. Indeed, Modou does not
practice the concept of polygamy correctly which requires him to be fair on
both sides. It is clearly seen that he is more inclined to Binetou’s side which
Ramatoulaye has concluded Modou has chosen another path of life with Binetou
when he leaves them with empty hands and avoids Ramatoulaye. In Islam, it is
explained in Surah Al-Nisa verse 3 that a man can marry up to four women but
provided he is able to treat his wives fairly and equally. The worst is Modou
is not being honest with her about the marriage. Surprisingly, Ramatoulaye
discovers the news from Tamsir, Mawdo Ba and local Imam who come to her house
after Modou Fall’s solemnization. In this context, we can see how a man can
easily change his attitude for a woman by just following his desires and being
illogical to say that it is his fate to have a second wife.
Besides that,
Ramatoulaye also suffers due to irresponsible acts of Modou who releases his
responsibilities towards his family just like that when he has a new wife.
Basically, she takes up all Modou’s responsibilities and all the burdens of
rearing twelve children are being placed on her shoulders alone. Unfortunately,
Modou does not only cut off the family ties but he also does not provide
financial support to them. Modou’s actions have contradicted with Islamic law
which stated in Surah Al-Nisa verse 34 mentions that men are the protectors and
maintainers of women as well as it is the duty of a father to earn money so
that the needs of his children are taken care of. In fact, she has to handle
youth’s issues alone that occur among her children such as the trio (Arame,
Yacine and Dieynaba) smoking in their bedroom and Aissatou carries a wedlock
child after the death of Modou.
In my opinion,
Ramatoulaye should ask a divorce from her husband due to the total neglect and
mentally tortured by Modou because she is lonely and everyday she tries to spot
her faults in the failure of her marriage. She pays electricity bills, replaces
the locks of broken doors all by herself and even goes to the cinemas alone.
Yet, she refuses to do so because she remains faithful to the love of her
youth.
All in all, despite
everything- disappointments and humiliations, Ramatoulaye has forgiven her
husband after his death and continues to find her own happiness instead of
giving up on her life. She is one of a strong, kind-hearted and amazing woman.
This book is very related to the feminism theory which women do not get equal
treatments, rights and status. They struggle to set path of their life and overcome the various
injustices in their society like what Ramatoulaye did.
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