Nervous Conditions Tambu vs Nyasah
Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
Comparison between Nyasha and Tambudzai
Nyasha and Tambu live significantly different experiences and are exposed to different things, especially in the beginning of the novel, which is a void that separates their thoughts. Their personalities and behavior also contradict each other, giving them a contrasting response towards society and their view on things.
The events experienced by Nyasha and Tambu are significantly different mostly due to the family’s financial status and their upbringing. Nyasha comes from a relatively wealthy family, with her father as headmaster of her school at the mission. She spent most of her childhood in England, therefore much more anglicised than Tambu, and was therefore exposed to Western lifestyle, influencing her manners and habits (for example smoking- a habit disapproved by Africans). Tambu believes that Nyasha is “beyond redemption”. Nyasha does not understand most of the traditions of Zimbabwe due to the lack of time she spent in Africa. For example, her father, Babumukuru is said to be “agreeably surprised” when she greets Mainini, her aunt. This implies that her African family is not used to this formal behavior coming from Nyasha. Tambu, however, always greets her elders, as is the custom for Africans.
Another big difference between the two girls, caused by the exposure to the western society, is that Nyasha is aware of the unfairness of the treatment of women in their society, while Tambu accepts that "femaleness is inferior to maleness".
The difference in the personalities of Tambu and Nyasha creates a lot of conflict between them because of the difference in interests and habits. However, they are alike in certain aspects and they help each other out. Nyasha’s rudeness, “how she was always rude” towards her parents, especially towards Babumukuru is deeply frowned upon by Tambu. Nyasha’s arrogance and pride is another characteristic which contrasts with Tambu’s personality.
Comparison between Nyasha and Tambudzai
Nyasha and Tambu live significantly different experiences and are exposed to different things, especially in the beginning of the novel, which is a void that separates their thoughts. Their personalities and behavior also contradict each other, giving them a contrasting response towards society and their view on things.
The events experienced by Nyasha and Tambu are significantly different mostly due to the family’s financial status and their upbringing. Nyasha comes from a relatively wealthy family, with her father as headmaster of her school at the mission. She spent most of her childhood in England, therefore much more anglicised than Tambu, and was therefore exposed to Western lifestyle, influencing her manners and habits (for example smoking- a habit disapproved by Africans). Tambu believes that Nyasha is “beyond redemption”. Nyasha does not understand most of the traditions of Zimbabwe due to the lack of time she spent in Africa. For example, her father, Babumukuru is said to be “agreeably surprised” when she greets Mainini, her aunt. This implies that her African family is not used to this formal behavior coming from Nyasha. Tambu, however, always greets her elders, as is the custom for Africans.
Another big difference between the two girls, caused by the exposure to the western society, is that Nyasha is aware of the unfairness of the treatment of women in their society, while Tambu accepts that "femaleness is inferior to maleness".
The difference in the personalities of Tambu and Nyasha creates a lot of conflict between them because of the difference in interests and habits. However, they are alike in certain aspects and they help each other out. Nyasha’s rudeness, “how she was always rude” towards her parents, especially towards Babumukuru is deeply frowned upon by Tambu. Nyasha’s arrogance and pride is another characteristic which contrasts with Tambu’s personality.