Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Analysis : Her Three Days

Brief summary of story
A story about Noumbe, the third wife of Mustapha, who was making all the preparation and sacrifices to welcome her husband home for her three days of having him alone.

Plot

Introduction
At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Noumbe, the main character of the story and also her neighbor, Aida. We are also exposed to the physical environment Noumbe lives in, in particular her one-room shack. As for the social environment, we are introduced to a community that is very closely knitted.
Rising action
Internal conflict – Noumbe’s emotions towards her husband and also her own opinions about polygamy.
The women’s feelings and emotions towards polygamy
External conflict – her emotions towards the other characters (particularly with Mustapha’s other wives), the village women and also her children.
Climax
After all the sacrifices and preparation, Mustapha does not return.
Falling action
Mustapha comes home, accompanied by his two companions.
Denouement
Noumbe mocked and humiliated Mustapha in front of his companions.

Setting
Place : an unknown village in Africa, Noumbe’s one-bedroom shack.
Time : A duration of three days
Social setting : Closely knitted society as indicated by the women’s banter.
A society where polygamy is a norm.

Symbols
Noumbe’s hut – a symbol of poverty and also the emptiness in her life as indicated by the bare appearance of the shack.
The three plates – a symbol of her futile 3 day wait for her husband’s return
The breaking of the plates – a symbol of perhaps the breaking of her heart

Character
Noumbe (protagonist)
Mustapha (antagonist)
Aida – Noumbe’s next door neighbor
Mustapha’s second wife
Mactar – Noumbe’s son

Point of view
Third person limited omniscient as we only see the story through Noumbe’s thoughts.

Tone
Nostalgic – when Noumbe reminisces the sweet moments whilst her husband was around
Sorrowful – when Noumbe expresses her thoughts on polygame
Anger and resentment– when she shows her unstable emotions upon her husband’s return
Frustration - Noumbe showed her angry reactions towards her husband

Theme
Women are often treated unfairly in polygamous relationships.
The feudal view of esteeming men above women is common in societies practicing polygamy

9 comments:

  1. Breaking of the plates could be liberating herself from the shackles of polygamy-- an act of defiance. Enjoyed reading this post.

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  2. what do you think should be changed in the short story? Explain. how to do it?

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  3. Insightful post..the story clearly shows the insensitivity of men in a polygamous society

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Loyalty Of African Woman Towards Polygamy Which Is A Symbol Of Abuse By African Men

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  6. Noumbe has been sympathetically portrayed for a reason. She is an embodiment of women's emancipation from patriarchy. In the story, her resistance to polygamy and patriarchy are subtle. Infact, towards the end of the story, she gently and covertly mocks these institutions by employing sarcasm and destroying the plates of food she had prepared for her husband.

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