Anowa: Male Dominance and Thought About Phase 2

Phase two further develops the story of Anowa. I was actually very surprised to find out that Kofi Ako would ever suggest purchasing men to help him out with labor. Anowa is also taken aback by the request. I believe the reason the parents had a strong dislike for him in phase one is because they know the kind of man he is. Phase two brings to light many fundamental flaws in his character:

What shall the gods of your fathers do for you? I know you think you are the wise one of the two of us. (90)

First of all his arrogance and superiority complex. He thinks he is better in every way than Anowa. Yes, it is understandable that this was a time period during which men had a much larger more dominant role in society, yet that being said he doesn't have the traits of a good future husband. Anowa's parents probably know this as well.

What I like about Osam, is that despite the fact that he doesn't approve of Kofi Ako, he is a man that wishes to let his daughter lead her life how she pleases. The mother Badua on the other hand seems rather intrusive with her daughters life. The father perhaps is more willing to let his daughter stay with Kofi is because, despite the fact that he doesn't like him, he shares a similar view of women. This is evident because one can see how Osam has manipulated his own wife into an obedient and submissive woman, he has even brainwashed her the point where she herself says things such as:

A good woman does not have a brain or mouth (93)

Overall, Anowa continues to be a good read. It is not my favorite book nor is it the worst, I still look forward to continue reading it, just not as eagerly as other books. I don't have any future predictions about the play, but I am hoping that she does not marry Kofi Ako as I dislike him strongly as a character.

Anowa: Similarities to Other African Novels

So far Anowa is a great book, it reminds me a lot of Things Fall Apart in many ways as well. The time period and dowry system are the two things that immediately come to mind. However it is completely different from what else we have read in the sense that it is a play rather than a novel. There are many aspects of this play that I find strange, yet very interesting as well and as a result I have many questions that have yet to be answered. Who are the old man and old woman? Are they married? Why are they lumped together as a character called The Mouth that Eats Salt and Pepper. I cannot even come up with any possible reason for why they are referred to as something else, when they are together, it is something that is ultimately very strange for me. The plot of the story involving marriage and a girl facing disapproval from her parents seems very common from other books we have read. Specifically the idea of parents not approving of their daughters actions reminds me a lot of Nyasha from Nervous Conditions. I look forward to continue reading the play and wait eagerly in anticipation to find out why the parents disapprove of the man that Anowa wants to marry. Great story so far, can't wait to see how it progresses.

Class Participation Check

Grade: 17/20

There are days where I feel that I greatly contribute to a discussion and offer some insight on interesting topics that are present in the novel. That being said there are a few days where I speak very little or practically not at all. On the days I do speak I feel like I do so a lot. That being said what I can work on is paying greater attention in class and the discussion at hand, and if I zone out to focus and get back into the discussion of the group. Morning classes are particularly difficult especially with only a few hours of sleep, so coffee is probably the best solution to that. With that said I feel like I deserved the grade I've given myself but nothing can stop me from doing even better. I will apply myself harder for the rest of the semester and nothing more can really be said about that. I don't dominate conversations and make sure to give everyone a chance to speak and likewise I don't usually let everyone speak and I remain silent.