Education

In the first chapter of Nervous Conditions, Dangarembga introduces the theme of education as an avenue for social mobility through the relationship between Tambu and her older brother, Nhamo. Tambu associates education with financial success, based on the achievements of her uncle, Babamukuru. Although Babamukuru seems to have remained humble and helps with the physical labor on the homestead whenever he comes to visit, education affects Nhamo differently; he resents his meager roots. Ma'Shingayi is uneducated herself but still understands the importance of it, especially for men, so she boils eggs and sells them to passengers at the bus terminus in order to keep her son in school.