Nervous Conditions Chapter 8
Babamukuru and his family return to the mission without Tambu, as more days of the Christmas break remain. She stays at the house for a few more days, in order to help her mother, and to perform some work around the property. She cleans and repairs things around the house, things which her father is later complimented for, praise which he readily accepts as his own.
Tambu struggles with the idea of her parents being compelled to hold a formal wedding. She sees this requirement as disrespectful and unnecessary. She resents that her uncle has made this demand, but she also has no intention of questioning his decision openly. She respects his authority to an extent, but also realizes that her uncle wields great power, because of his social status and his wealth. She recognizes that because of Babamukuru’s beliefs taught to him by the missionaries, that he believes that a traditional wedding is required to stop the curse of a sinful relationship. This bothers Tambu, as she believes that this only mocks the actual relationship that traditional Shona culture recognizes as valid and true.
Tambu returns to the mission, and shortly afterwards, Tambu’s mother and Aunt Lucia arrive, so that her mother can give birth at the mission hospital. Tambu’s mother gives birth to a boy, and prepares to return to the village. Lucia, however, does not wish to return, and asks Babamukuru if she can stay at the mission and work, perhaps even receiving an education. Babamukuru agrees, and she is given a job in the kitchen. She is permitted to take classes in the evening.
The wedding seems to be a matter of contention with Maiguru, as well. Her preparation duties are performed with great resistance. She “forgets” a number of times to help prepare, and grumbles that this wedding will cost more money than her own did.
On the day of the wedding, Tambu simply refuses to go. This is greatly disappointing to Babamukuru, but he is unable to get her out of bed that morning. The family is forced to return to the village for the wedding without Tambu.
Upon the family’s return to the mission after the wedding, Babamukuru sentences Tambu to 15 lashes and two weeks of the maid’s work. The maid is given two weeks’ vacation, as Tambu will be performing the duties. Lucia protests, as does Maiguru, both of whom insist that the punishment is entirely too harsh. Babamukuru stands his ground, angering Maiguru when she realizes that her husband does not respect her opinion. Maiguru then packs her bags, stating that she is leaving for a better life. She leaves for a few days, but returns with a new attitude. She no longer addresses her husband with pet names, and appears to treat him more formally now.
Analysis:
Tambu resents Babamukuru’s push for her parents to wed in a ceremony, but questions her own strength as she becomes aware that she is willing to stand up to her own parents, but not to Babamukuru. However, later in the chapter, she attempts to do so, when she states that she will not attend the wedding. Her attempt is thwarted, but she has at least attempted to take a stand.
Maiguru does take a stand against Babamukuru’s authority. When she defies the fairness of his punishment for Tambu, Babamukuru refuses to budge. Realizing that her husband does not respect her as an equal, she leaves, against his wishes.
Even Lucia is able to manipulate Babamukuru, as she plays the role of a desperate woman. She knows that Babamukuru will want to take on the role of hero, which he does, proving her mastery of manipulation. In a moment of contrasting wills, though, we see some of the women fall to their knees in praise of his decision to let her work at the mission, Nyasha does not… and Tambu starts to, but then decides to remain standing.
