NERVOUS CONDITIONS: TSITSI DANGAREMBGA
PRACTICE ESSAY QUESTIONS
1.
Discuss Tsitsi Dangarembga’s presentation of marital relationships affected by
a society in transition in the novel.
2.
"The condition of native is a nervous condition introduced and maintained by
the settler among colonized people with their consent. To what extent is this
demonstrated in the novel?
3.
Tambu's journey progresses from "entrapment to rebellion to escape". How is
this made clear in the novel?
4.
Discuss the presentation of the idea of conditioning and “grooming” in the
novel.
5.
Comment on the presentation of rebellion and actively opposing one’s
imposed fate.
6.
“Stoicism and fatalistic acceptance is an obstacle to the liberation of the
women.” To what extent is this true of the novel?
7.
Explore Tsitsi Dangarembga’s presentation of the idea of duty and obligation
in the novel.
8.
“The conflict between the old and the new is the recurrent thread that unifies
the novel”. To what extent would you agree that this is a valid observation?
9.
Explore Tsitsi Dangarembga’s presentation of History and the past, and how it
affects the individual in society.
10.
Comment on the presentation of Lucia in the novel.
11.
“...the fierce, sisterly solidarity they had established there in the kitchen.”
Discuss the idea of an alliance and understanding between the women as it
is presented in the novel.
12.
Tambu is looking to education, the classic meritocratic ladder of the poor, as
the way out the poverty trap. Discuss how Education is presented in the
novel.
13.
The novel is principally concerned with abandonment and homelessness.
Show how Tsitsi Dangarembga has achieved this.
14.
Explore the problematic relationship between Tambu and Nyasha.
15.
Social alienation and a deep sense of personal powerlessness is what
overcomes most of the characters in the novel. Discuss with reference to
Tambu.
16.
Discuss and comment on the writer’s presentation of the idea of male
solidarity as expressed in the novel.
17.
“Babamukuru was still and would always be the closest thing a human
being could get to God.” Comment on Babamukuru’s presentation as a
more than mortal being.
18.
Explore the relationship between Nyasha and her father, and comment on
how it is a casuality of their “nervous condition”.
19.
“The root of her trouble is her desire to please everyone.” To what extend
would you say that this is an accurate diagnosis of Maiguru’s predicament?
20.
“Nervous Conditions” is an emphatic statement of about the politics of
language and power. Explore how this is presented in the novel.
21.
“They've deprived you of you, him of him, ourselves of each other.” How is the
truth of this lament demonstrated in the novel?
22.
How does Dangarembga questions the value of Western education in the
novel?
23.
“She explores the patterns of female subordination and gender inequity with
the experience of colonization.” How is this achieved in the novel?
24.
“Dangarembga warns against the exploitative nature of imperialism and the
danger of cultural alienation that it poses to the African.” Discuss.
25.
The idea of home and homelessness is a central metaphor in the novel.
Explore how effective it is.
26.
Comment on how Dangarembga presents the idea of the patriarchal social
structure and the dangers of it stifling female growth and individuality.
27.
The "weight of womanhood" is a recurrent idea in the novel,, and helps the
female some way in understanding their plight. Discuss how the burdens of
the women are expressed in the novel.
28.
It is ironical that behind his benevolence and seemingly liberal attitude,
Babamukuru has fixed expectations of feminine conduct. Comment on the
contradictions in Babamakuru.
29.
“No matter what attempts Tambu makes at forgetting her past, traces of it will
always resurface.” Discuss the validity of this comment with reference to the
novel.
30.
Discuss the relationships between mothers and daughters in the novel.
31.
“Dangarembga's novel illustrates how the acquisition of education and the
adoption of Western ways can have painful consequences for women."
Discuss to what extent this is a valid comment on the novel.