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Essay on Nyasha's Struggle in Nervous Conditions

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Nyasha's Struggle in Nervous Conditions

The significance of Nyasha in "Nervous Conditions" involves her apparent rebellious nature and her reluctance to accept the norm. Her unwillingness to conform to the ideals of a sexist society perpetuates her into a constant struggle against the patriarchal system. She may have lost the fight in the end but it's not to no avail because her example goes on to encourage Tambu to carry on in her wake. Nyasha is important because she is a shinning example of the effects of colonialism on the African population, she influences Tambu's own rebellious nature, and she's one of the few that rebel against the patriarchal system.
Nyasha's situation also illustrates the effects of colonialism on …show more content…

Nyasha's suffering is to be an example of the complications that colonialism can cause to a country.
Nyasha is a model for Tambu as she tries to assert herself growing up. Nyasha's rebellious character is a model showing that women do not have to accept their position in a patriarchy. Tambu observes Nyasha with interest and subsequently tries to absorb all her good traits, independency, forthright behavior, and determination, in an effort to empower herself. Nyasha opens Tambu's eyes to the injustices of the Shona society, which consist not only of women's inferiority, but also to the patriarchy that is the external force that perpetuates the oppression of females. Although Tambu never becomes as extreme as Nyasha in opposing Babamukuru and the patriarchy he represents, she eventually does take a stand at her parent's wedding by refusing to attend and participate regardless of the consequences: "Babamukuru talked to me calmly…told me how disappointed he was that I had grown so rebellious."(168) This incident reflects her changing ideals and her willingness to fight for what she stands for: "to me that punishment was the price of my newly acquired identity."(169) Tambu's newly found identity is really nothing more then a softened replica of the ideals of Nyasha. Nyasha therefore serves as a catalyst for Tambu's personal development.
Nyasha's entire rebellion against the patriarchy brings up an interesting point

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