that colonialism can cause to a country. Nyasha is a model for Tambu as she tries to assert herself growing up. Nyasha’s rebellious character is a model showing that women do not have to accept their position in a patriarchy. Tambu observes Nyasha with interest and subsequently tries to absorb all her good traits, independency, forthright behavior, and determination, in an effort to empower herself. Nyasha opens Tambu’s eyes to the injustices of the Shona society, which consist not only of women’s inferiority, but also to the patriarchy that is the external force that perpetuates the oppression of females. Although Tambu never becomes as extreme as Nyasha in opposing Babamukuru and the patriarchy he represents, she eventually does take a stand at her parent’s wedding by refusing to attend and participate regardless of the consequences: “Babamukuru talked to me calmly…told me how disappointed he was that I had grown so rebellious.”(168) This incident reflects her changing ideals and her willingness to fight for what she stands for: “to me that punishment was the price of my newly acquired identity.”(169) Tambu’s newly found identity is really nothing more then a softened replica of the ideals of Nyasha. Nyasha therefore serves as a catalyst for Tambu’s personal development. Nyasha’s entire rebellion against the patriarchy brings up an interesting point regarding the nature of women. Nyasha was brought to Britain at an early age where she received a European education. She was consequently exposed to an alternative view of reality than that in Rhodesia and sees that there are other possibilities for women other then the stereotypical role set forth by the Shona society where the women live their lives serving men. Nyasha refuses to conform to the Shona society’s image of womanhood and fights Babamukuru’s every attempt to change her. In stu...
