Response to "Nervous Conditions" by Tsitsi Dangarembga

by nour_soufia546 (student)

International Baccalaureate World Literature

Nour Soufia

Nervous Conditions by: Tsitsi Dangarembga

G. Holmes Braddock

Essay Assignment

August 31, 2012

Tsitsi Dangarembga made it very easy to sympathize with Tambu. At every inch of the book I felt sad, then happy, then sad again. The fact that the story was written in first person made it more personal, emotional, and real. I felt like I was the one going through the journey with Tambu. When she felt pain I did, and when she was happy so was I. As I was reading I had to stop myself and realize that it is not me going through it all. When I read a book and I can see the characters acting the scenes out in my head, I know that it is a great story. That is exactly what happened to me while reading this book.

Dangarembga writes clearly on how difficult it was for a colored girl in Africa. Tambu stayed home helping her parents who were not supportive of her getting the education she deserved. Her parents were hard workers just like her. They should have encouraged her when she wanted to sell food and earn money. All parents want their children to succeed in life, but what happened to her parents?

Tambu was a girl with dreams and goals but the troubles of her family held her down. It was difficult to see such a hardworking young lady like that. At times I desperately wanted to reach into the book and help her. She was the leader of her family. She is definitely a fighter, too. She worked so hard to earn money for school when her brother was going for free. I wished I could have given her the classes and given her the money that she needed and deserved. But no matter what, she never gave up and her ...

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She wants to do certain things but she cannot because she is an African girl living in the 60’s. Racism was not written in the book but in some cases it was shown. The scenario that jumped out to me was how Babamakuru’s family loved the white people and wanted to be just like them in every way. They should be proud to be African American. Instead of embracing who they are, they were trying to be something they are not. Also at Sacred Heart School, they were not very welcoming to the African American community. They put more African American girls together to keep them separate from the rest.

Her brother on the other hand lost sight of himself in all the luxury Babamakuru gave him. The fact that Nhamo discarded his family made me miserable for him and his family. Look what happened to Nhamo, he died leaving his family heartbroken, except for Tambu. She knew that her brother had drifted away from them. When she said that she felt nothing when her brother died says it all. At this point my emotions were going insane. I knew that something bad was coming to Nhamo because it was stated in the beginning, but I was astonished when Tambu did not feel any sympathy about her brother’s death.

Tambu definitely gained my respect. She is an amazing young lady who stepped in and took care of her family. She is the girl that everyone else should look up to and be like. Tambu is definitely an amazing role model for young girls everywhere. Throughout the book I felt so much sympathy and sorrow for her. I was so happy to see that Tambu is doing well. Tambu definitely taught me how to be brave and stand up for myself. She also taught me to always strive for what I want and never give up. I am so glad that I got to experience this lovely journey with her.

I was captivated by this book the whole time. At the turn of every page I was sitting on the edge of my chair waiting for the next move. This book stole my heart and I wish I could have been there to help, but I felt as if I was trapped and I could not reach them. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions. One second I am happy and then next I need tissues. Tsitsi Dangarembga did an outstanding job by capturing my emotions. I was truly amazed at the exquisite writing in the book and I enjoyed it very much. Dangarembga wrote this amazing story that I truly will not forget.