THEMES

Touching on several other themes, the question of rights of women in Senegal and greater West Africa dominate this novel. All of the main characters are supposedly in support of women's advancement on a political level, but often, their personal circumstances challenge this advocacy. For Modou and Mawdo, their choices concerning polygamous marriage undermine the power that their wives have, despite their political views, as does Daouda's willingness to marry Ramatoulaye but not to be just her friend. Even Ramatoulaye must struggle with balancing her attachment to women's advancement and her dedication to tradition, such as deciding whether or not to disown Aissatou and how to talk to her daughters about sex.