ealousy? Or resentment at the fact that Aissatou was able to move on and Ramatoulaye wasn’t? Some type of underlying ill is conveyed when Ramatoulaye mentions to Aissatou that she knew her friend’s husband had acquired a second wife when Aissatou herself didn’t. Ramatoulaye will soon find herself in the same predicament as her friend. She cannot move on, although this second marriage pains her and she remains lonely while reminiscing of what love their used to be. It is supposed to be Ramatoulaye’s education and liberal mind that is supposed to prevent the abuses of the old traditions but when she is placed in that situation, she feel helpless because she divorce her husband. She is sanctioned by her feelings, insecurities, and the conditions of her family (she has 12 kids). Her liberal attitude is defeated by that of tradition, she will reluctantly stay with her man. Ramatoulaye writes, “to think I loved this man passionately, to think that I have him thirty years of my life, to think that twelve times over I carried his child. The addition of a rival to my life was not enough for him. In loving someone else he dared commit such an act of disavowal.” and her bitterness is everlasting. Ramatoulaye remains a liberal and open-minded person and when she comes across other hair-raising situations. She handles them with wisdom and sternness. When Ramatoulaye’s daughter, Aissatou, becomes pregnant, she does not shun her like tradition would dictate. Ramatoulaye “could not abandon Aissatou as pride would have ‘her’ do for ‘Aissatou’s’ life and future were at stake, and these were all powerful considerations, overriding taboo and assuming greater importance in ‘her’ mind and heart”. Here and throughout other parts in the novel, Ramatoulaye transcends above all that is petty and she seems to be like a wise woman, dignified, and independen...
