Nervous Conditions Chapter 6

The narrator notes the many whites that were at the mission, but says that unlike the evil wizards her grandmother had spoken of, these were holy. She thinks that instead of being here to take, these are here to give, and are thus treated as “minor deities,” missionaries of compassion, who share brotherly love. Tambu even notes that some, especially the younger ones, are not as offensive to her in appearance, as many appear to be healthy and clean. Still, she finds the behavior of many to be baffling, such as when she speaks to them in English, in order to practice the new language, and they respond to her in Shona.  

Tambu especially likes one missionary family in particular, the Bakers, who have three children. Andrew and Brian attend school elsewhere, while the daughter, Nyaradzo, attends school at the mission. Nyaradzo is close friends with Nyasha, and soon becomes close to Tambu as well.  

When Andrew and Brian are on a school break, they return to the mission. At this time, they, along with Nyaradzo, Tambu and Nyasha attend a dance. Nysasha has been given a special dress by her mother, but Babamukuru finds it inappropriate and immodest. An argument ensues, but in the end, Nyasha is permitted to attend the dance in the dress. Nyasha’s brother Chido attends, as well.

Tambu and Nyasha enjoy the dance immensely, socializing and talking to boys.  

However, upon returning to the house at the end of the evening, Tambu and Chido enter the home, while Nyasha and Andrew remain outside at the end of the driveway, for a few more minutes, as the boy playfully tries to teach her a dance routine. Babamukuru is angry that his daughter remains outside with a boy. He chastises his son for his failure to look after his sister. When Nyasha enters the house a few minutes later, Babamukuru is very angry.  

He then confronts Nyasha, and in a demonstration of her teenage rebellion, she argues with him. Soon a very physical fight occurs, with Nysaha being beaten by her father. Nyasha fights violently as well, but is easily defeated by her father. Babamukuru rages that there cannot be two men in this household, implying that Nyasha is attempting to take a stance reserved only for a man. He threatens to kill Nyasha, and then to commit suicide over her insolonce as well. The dichotomy of Babamukuru’s belief in Western education and British culture is expressed as he shows that he also demands respect from his daughter and his wife, in the traditional Shona ways.  

Afterwards, Nyasha goes outside, where Tambu follows her. Nyasha smokes a cigarette, and the girls discuss Nyasha’s situation. Both are disturbed that Babamukuru had called her a whore, demeaning proof of her subordinate role as a female. Tambu realizes that even in respectable families and cultures, females are held in low regard.  

For a week following the fight, Nyasha and her father remained sullen, and did not speak. It appears that their relationship has been permanently damaged by the event.  

Analysis:  

Tambu is surprised to learn that not all white people are repulsive or evil. She even fosters a friendship with one white student, and enjoys her company. Tambu also enjoys the dance, which is attended with other white children who she likes.  

Nyasha’s teenage rebellion reaches a peak, as she butts heads with her father over rules of dress and behavior. Tambu observes, and sees this as an analogy to her own desire to break free of certain expectations placed upon her in a patriarchal system.  

Nyasha’s insolence leads to verbal abuse and physical violence, and Tambu is disappointed to see that even in the most “cultured” of families, even those who live by the new rules of sophisticated culture, the male still dominates. Brute physical force wins when other arguments have reached an impasse, and with little respect for females, the dominance continues to be that of the male.  

Nyasha later tells Tambu that she is frustrated and angry because she has only become the person that her parents wanted, and now her parents are angry about it. Tambu, however, has not yet become as modernized, and does not understand Nyasha’s acting towards her parents.