Nervous Conditions 1-3

Hey Everybody!
This week, we having been moving along in "Nervous Conditions", and so far I am enjoying it.  We have read chapters 1-3, and have already learned so much about Tambu, the narrator, and other various bits of background information about the plot and characters.  We have even identified instances of theme in the book.  Tambu opens the story with a very powerful line: "I was not sorry when my brother died."  After reading this, I already had a million questions running through my head.  How did her brother die?  Why isn't she sorry?  Did she have something to do with it?  How will this play out in the rest of the story?  In the remained of chapter 1, and in chapters 2 & 3, we witness the rudeness, jealousy, and arguing that is Tambu and Nhamo's (her brother) relationship.

Tambu is very smart and yearns to go to school, but Nhamo, being the older male in the family, gets to go instead.  Nahmo's attitude has changed as a result of him getting to go to the prestigious boarding school.  He is cocky, rude to his siblings, and is losing touch with his culture.  Nhamo teases Tambu about it, and tells her that she better get used to the fact that she will never be anything more than a housewife.  Even Tambu's parents tell her that.  She is discouraged, but refuses to give up.  Tambu and Nhamo's father has a similar relationship with his older brother, Babamukuru.  Babamukuru is the leader in their family; he is even referred to as "our prince" by his relatives.  He is given this title because he is well educated, wealthy, and provides for the rest of his family.  After analyzing these situations in class, we posed the question: Are Nhamo and Babamukuru the way they are because of their natural character, or because of the situations they have been placed in?

Outside Reading:
Monday: NC- 73 min
Tuesday: NC- 20 min
Wednesday: Peer Reviews: 1 hour & 45 min
Thursday: NC- 48 min