Literature Companion: Nervous Conditions

By History World

Tsitsi Dangarembga is one of the few Zimbabwean writers who have found their distinct place in the world literature scenario. Having spent most of her childhood in England, Tsitsi went back to Africa and completed her higher studies there. However, she later did her Medical studies at Cambridge University, but eventually went back to Africa and started working there.

“Nervous Conditions” by Tsitsi Dangarembga was first published in the year 1988. It was first published in England. The book was published by the Women’s Press.

It is said to be a semi-autobiographical novel. The story revolves around a Rhodesian family. The story is set in Post-Colonial Rhodesia. It is set in the 1960s.

Literature Companion: Nervous Conditions
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Aug 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310009013

Book preview

Literature Companion: Nervous Conditions

History World

Copyright

Literature Companion: Nervous Conditions

History World

Copyright@2014 History World

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Chapter One: Introduction

Tsitsi Dangarembga is one of the few Zimbabwean writers who have found their distinct place in the world literature scenario. Having spent most of her childhood in England, Tsitsi went back to Africa and completed her higher studies there. However, she later did her Medical studies at Cambridge University, but eventually went back to Africa and started working there.

Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga was first published in the year 1988. It was first published in England. The book was published by the Women’s Press.

It is said to be a semi-autobiographical novel. The story revolves around a Rhodesian family. The story is set in Post-Colonial Rhodesia. It is set in the 1960s.

Nervous Condition is the first book in a trilogy. The second book in the trilogy is The Book of Not which was published in the year 2006.

The major themes of Nervous Conditions are class, gender, race, the cultural changes which were taking place during the post-colonial scenario in Zimbabwe.

Even after the departure of the colonial rulers from Zimbabwe, female voices in Zimbabwe continued to be suppressed. The present novel details the constant suppression of the female voices in the independent country.

It is recorded that during the 1980 national elections, more than fifty percent of the total votes were cast by women in the country. In those elections, Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union Party won the elections with a large majority.

Even in the government headed by Robert Mugabe, there were few female representatives in the national parliament. Those who were elected had very limited powers.

In the year 1987, women in the country were further excluded when they were not included in the Unity Accord. It was not acceptable to the majority of women in the country.

When Nervous Conditions was published, the time was quite opportune because it was a grand success and widely accepted. Even the great literary figures such as Alice Walker and Doris Lessing have highly admired the novel.

It was said by Doris Lessing that Nervous Condition was sure to become a classic.

There is no doubt that Nervous Condition is one of the most significant African novels written during the 20th century. It has also found its place in the curriculum of several schools and colleges around the world in the departments of cultural studies and African Literature.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

Tambu, a young bright

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