When I began to think about what message the word car would be associated with in Nervous Conditions, I thought of money and being rich. Yes, this theme did occur in the book while cars were mentioned, but many others were associated with cars too.
The first mention of cars is when Tambu tells us of what their daily life is like when Babamukuru is visiting- how they farm all day under his careful watch. This mention of a car is tied to Babamukuru's presence, but is still in the realm of daily life on the homestead. The second mention Tambu makes is that Maiguru rides in a car, and her mother doesn't have things like Maiguru, therefore is inferior. Tambu decides that is is better to be like her aunt than her mom, and declares she will go to school in order to reach this status. In Tambu's quest for school fees, Mr. Matimba takes her into town where she sees many cars. Tambu's ignorance and lack of knowledge about common life is revealed then. She asks him many questions about how cars work and the roads operate as a result of it being her first time riding in a car. The next mention is when Babamukuru arrives home riding in his car. Everyone gathers to greet him, and he is treated like a prince. This signifies the symbol of superiority, richness, and power that the car possesses. Babamukuru's second arrival has a much worse reception, as he carries the news of Nhamo's death. Thus arises Ma'Shingayi's hatred for Babamukuru and his tendency to divide her from her children. Tambu rides in a car with Babamukuru on the way to the mission for the first time, and is very excited. This car ride is the first time Tambu thinks of the changes that will occur in her life. Babamukuru is supposed to take Ma'Shingayi and Lucia home after the holidays, but he keeps forgetting. The car is mentioned in relationship to their return home, but then Lucia is given a job cooking at the girls' hostel. Finally, while arriving at Sacred Heart, Tambu finds herself admiring all of the other girl's cars and how grand and fancy her new school is.
Contrary to what I had suspected, the car is not only a symbol of being rich and having money, but rather a symbol of change and new beginnings for this Shona family.
This is really good. You found a good point that no one has even noticed. Nice way of going through the story to find the symbolism of cars in the book.
ReplyDeleteI had not picked up on this symbol of change. I think that it is cool that you were able to look back and change your mind about what cars represented.
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