Chapter 4 Quotations NERVOUS CONDITIONS

Chapter 4 - Quotations

1)"The sensations that swamped me on the day I left home: relief, excitement, anticipation. A shortcut, a rerouting of everything I had ever defined as me." Tambu felt this. The day she left home, the girl was consolated, delighted. She experienced a redefining of everything she had seen and learnt in her whole life, that would speedily lead Tambu to her destination. Her horizons were saturated with her withdraw from the homestead. She could not believe that finally she was going to be in contact with her new life, with developed scolds.

2) "There was no room for what I left behind."  Tambu thought this. She didn't think the idea about staying twice. She wanted to experience new adventures and have a fresh history. Tambu new that if she stayed in her home, she would never progress in life, and would not have a real education. She didn’t want to be like any other woman with their heavy burdens, she wanted to have success. That's why the girl said she would not miss what she left behind.

3) "My father, insignificant. My mother, anxious, superfluous, an obstacle in the path of my departure. My sisters, it was up to them to learn the important lesson that circumstances were not immutable."  In this quote, Tambu described how her family felt with her leaving. Her father was shallowly fine as ever, was inappreciable. Her mother was an obstacle in the path of her escape, another piece of superfluent scenery to be maintained. As for her sisters, they were there, were insignificant. They watched Tambu climb into Babamukuru's car to be whisked away to limitless horizons. They had to learn the important lesson that circumstances were not inflexible, no burden between a rock and a hard place could not be dropped.

4) "The honour for teaching them this emancipating lesson was mine" This quotation was said by Tambu when she was in her way to Baba's house. When she said "for teaching them", she referred to her sisters. She recognized they this could be seen as a grain of hope to them, and that it should, because she was leaving the homestead to study, to have a greater future. She wanted to demonstrate them how to opportunities exist, and that they shouldn't just drop them.

5) "When I stepped into Babamukuru's car I was a peasant. This was the person I was leaving behind. At Babamukuru's I expected to find another self, a clean, well-groomed, genteel self. This new me would not..." This is an important and strong quotation said by Tambu, she was talking about a radical change. She was expecting to be a completely different girl; she demonstrated how much she desired a big change. This was an opportunity for her to become the person she wanted to be, who contrasted a lot with a peasant.

6) “My emancipation from these aspects of my existence was, for the foreseeable future, temporary and not continuous. The point was this; I was going to be developed in the way that Babamukuru saw fit, which in the language I understood at the time meant well. " This was said by Tambu, reconsidering her burden lifestyle. She could felt the relief of being educated by an educated man. She knew this experience was not going to last forever, but she thought it was amazing to receive discipline from a man as Baba. Tambu had a lot of good expectations, and she already knew that she would take as much as possible advantage of this. Tambu saw this as THE opportunity.

7) This quotation, said by Tambu, described her points toward Nyasha. She described Nyasha as someone who was distant, introverted, reserved, antisocial, and mention her as a person that made her feel uncomfortable. She considered as a troublesome, incommodious, person, who had some darkness because she lost “the sparkle” in her eye. But she also emphasized her impoliteness, she disapprove her “ill-mannered, awkward and ungrateful” way of being. With this description Tambu explained why she considered an exhausting work, to live with her in the same bedroom. The text showed Tambu’s completely negative view.

 8) This quotation, said by the newly arrived Tambu, showed the difference of the homestead and her uncle’s house by the comparison made. In the light of her poor live condition in the homestead, her reaction was predictable. But in this part of the novel you could see how amazed she was, although she had heard description before she wasn’t able to imagine something similar because of her deplorable conditions.

 9) The “we” made reference to Tambu and her family, in this quotation, where Tambu is the voice and expressed her family’s thoughts towards the house, a feeling of proudness and belonging is shown. “It was a very fine house”, they accepted their house. And when she said “our” showed a feeling of possession.

10) “I have learnt to curb excesses and flights of fancy. I can now refer to my uncle’s house as no more than that – a house.” This quotation was said by Tambu when she had just arrived to the mission, she was fascinated, delighted with all the houses, the infrastructure, the luxurious constructions and the colours. As time went by she realized that what she had thought was not real, that she had exaggerated her thoughts about everything especially the house. She realized that what she had believed was something similar to a castle, was just a house. In a way she felt disappointed for her previous thoughts and she learnt that she should not be so fascinated with certain things.

11) “It was painted white (…) clinical, antiseptic white. Naturally, though, there was a reason. It had been built around the turn of the nineteenth century when the missionaries believed that only white houses were cool enough to be comfortably lived in.” This phrase was said by Tambu when she was observing the houses at the mission. This quotation depicts Tambu’s history knowledge because she talks about the nineteenth century. Even though she pretended that she didn’t care about her brother’s death, she did. By saying “clinical, antiseptic white” to compare the colours of the house she relates it with the colours of the hospital that was the place where Nhamo died. If you carry on reading you will realize that she would have preferred a colourful house as the modern ones.

12) “My uncle was the only African living in a white house. We were all proud of this fact. No, that is not quite right. We were all proud, except Nyasha, who had an egalitarian nature and had taken seriously the lessons about oppression and discriminations that she had learnt first-hand in England” This quotation was said by Tambu when she was describing how the mission looked like and what kind of people lived there. This phrase conveys that Tambu and almost all the family was delighted with Babamukuru and everything he had done and achieved. They appreciated all the effort he had made to accomplish good living conditions and education. The fact that he was the only African living in a white house proves Nyasha’s point of view about discrimination. This quotation also depicts the opposite points of view and thoughts between Nyasha and Tambu. We can also infer that Nyasha had received a different education because she learnt things in England.

13)” I too could think of planting things for merrier reason tan the chore of keeping breath in the body. I wrote it down in my head: I would ask Maiguru for some bulbs and plant a bed of those gay lilies on the homestead. Bright and cheery, they had been planted for joy. It was liberation, the first of many.” This quotation was said by Tambu whan she was arriving at Babamukuru´s house for the first time. The car stopped firs in the garage, although Tambu didn’t know this, so she felt a little disappointed because she wasn’t to live in a mansion. Her spirits went plunging down, but even then she was pretty happy because there were conifers with flowers of different colors. So she decided she would ask Maiguru to give her some so she would be able to plant them in the homestead out of joy to cheer the house up.

14)” Babamukuru was not the person I had thought he was. He was wealthier than I had thought possible. And he had done it alone. He had pushed up from under the weight of the white man with no strong relative to help him. A deep valley cracked open. There was no bridge. I felt separated forever from my uncle.” When Tambu arrived to Babamukuru´s house, she realized that he had more money than what she thought he had. Tambu couldn’t believe how wealthy his uncle was. Babamukuru was a living example that black people could be and have the same things as white people did. She thought that Babamukuru´s success without having the help of any powerful and alliterated relative he was superior to all of them. He deserved to be respected

15) “I didn’t have anything to do with my uncle´s kindness. He would have taken in any poor, needy relative, and to prove it I was only here because my brother had died.” This was said by Tambu when she realized that Babamukuru would have given the opportunity of studying to any relative in need because he was a very generous man. She wasn’t an exception.

16) ¨I who was so ignorant (...) we were not of a kind. I deserved to suffer; i threatened myself, for having been too proud to see that Babamukuru could only be so charitable to our branch of the family because we were so low. He was kind because of the difference.¨It is said by Tambu. She became aware of the fact that she was only at Babamukuru´s house, because her brother had died. She said that Baba was kind only because their economical difference between Tambu´s family and Baba´s family. She had to make an effort in school, because Babamukuru had been so charitable to her and her family. She cherished Baba for the support he gives to her family. She also felt ignorant because she was not even able to read the signs in Baba´s clothes. 

17) ¨With a sigh I slid into a swamp of self-pity. I could see no path of escape except the one that led back to the homestead. (...) I scolded myself strongly for not appreciating B´s concern for my family and me (...) I must have been much more frightened.¨ Tambu was concerned, because she felt that she didn´t belong to that place. She wanted to return to homestead, because she was not feeling comfortable. She tried to call up her courage by imagining the fine grades she would make, that´s why she went to the mission. Finally she arrived to Babamukuru´s house less hopefully than she had left her house.

18) “A huge hairy hound scared me to death. Its eyes stretched out in a demonic squint. Its sudden appearance made it seen all the more sinister. To me they were loose, ferocious guardians of the gates to this kingdom, this kingdom that I should not have been entering. Their lust for my blood was justified: they knew I did not belong.¨ Tambu was scared by some dogs that were at Baba´s house. She had never seen one before, that´s why she found it so rare. For her they were loose, ferocious guardians of the gates to that kingdom. She thought that they knew she did not belong to that house, so they barked at her. 

19) “Nyasha was on me with a big hug, which I understood, and a kiss on both cheeks, which I did not. She was excited to see me, she was pleased she said.” Tambu said this while she was entering to Babamukuru's house, and Nyasha was waiting there for her. She was fully amazed by her cousin's reaction, which she didn't expect. There is a visible change in their relationship from when Nyasha came back from England, although some thing were different between their ways of living, they were good cousins to each other.

20) “I took stock of my surroundings, nothing the type, texture and shape of the furniture, its colors and its arrangement. My education had already begun.” This was said by Tambu. Once she settled in Babamukuru's house she realized that this new experience lead her into an unchartered territory. It was all new for her, and this opportunity of education convinced her of achieving success, as Babamukuru did. She had an optimistic and ideal view towards the mission school. She saw that all her dreams and wants were possible if she was educated.

21) “I would own a home like this one day; I would need to know how to furnish it.” Tambu said this while she was observing the elegance and luxury of her uncle's house. It was a breath-taking experience for her, the abysmal difference between the homestead and her new surroundings let her see two antagonistic worlds. This new and educated life brought inspiration and achievements in Tambu. Now she felt capable of getting the things she wanted; a nice and comfortable house.

22) “Pink on white, gold and white, red on white. Roses. Old English tea, old country. Roses” Tambu in this quote is describing the first tea at Babamukuru´s house. She was amazed about all the food that was on the table, all calories that were there. Also it is a good quote that shows the colonization that was present there. They were drinking English tea so the colonization was clearly present in this family. She also describes the awesome of the tea set that was completely delicate.

23) “Babamukuru´s taste was excellent, so that where he could afford do indulge it, the results were striking. The opulence of his living room was very strong stuff, overwhelming to someone who had first crawled and then toddled and finally walked over dung floors.” Tambu was saying that Babamukuru has a house that was fabulous and it impressed Tambu the standard of living that Babamukuru´s family has. All the things that Babamukuru wanted to give you were striking. She was surprised the difference of the two world that she lived.

24) “Usually in such dire straits I used my thinking strategy. I was very proud of my thinking strategy.” Tambu said that with all that splendor around them her brother lost his responsibilities and she didn´t want that for her so she made a strategy for not getting distracted, she would to respect her decision but some days she would give herself premises.

25) “To pay attention to Babamukurus house would be my downfall. I triumphed. I was not seduced. The real situation was this: Babamukuru was God; therefore I had arrived in heaven. I was in danger of becoming an angel, or at the very least a saint, and forgetting how ordinary humans existed. I knew, had known all my life, that living was dirty and I had been disappointed by the fact.” This quote was said by Tambu when she arrived to Babamurus house because she knew that a big change in her life was happening and was astonished by Babamukurus house and she said she had to stay concentrated in studying.

26) ”Images of witches on hyenas backs, both laughing hellishly, flitted through my mind. This was no time to be frightened, when I needed all my wits about me.” This quote was said by Tambu on her way to the school. She said that images of witches on hynas came to her mind because she was scared of going to school because it was something completely new.

27) “While we waited Maiguru asked me about my mother, the tone of her voice saying much more about the concern she was feeling than her words. I preferred to keep thoughts of my mother’s conditions to myself.” This quote was said by Tambu while talking to Maiguru. She said she preferred to keep thoughts of her mother conditions to herself because there weren’t good conditions compare ring with Maiguru s life and she was ashamed of that.

28) “This tea- strainer was another necessity I had managed without up until now. Maiguru seemed to think it was absolutely vital to have one. Interesting, yes, but vital?” This quote was said by Tambu when Maiguru explained her how to use a tea strainer and said it was vital. In this quote you can see the differences in the way the two families live and also the difference importance they give to the different things for what is vital and what not.

29) “My sweet little aunt, who liked to please, interpreted my diffidence as her own shortcoming.” Tambu said this to describe Maiguru's pleasing attitude. She was always trying to serve Tambu and when she refused to accept her offers, Maiguru felt devastated and incomplete. For Maiguru her duty was to educate and give Tambu all she had never have.

31) “They are too Anglisiced, they picked up all these disrespectful ways in England (…) That child of mine has her own thought about everything.” Maiguru said this, she highlights that Nyasha was picking all the revel and disrespectful ways from Englad society. She justified herself by saying that life in Africa was much more different than the one they lived at England. Tambu couldn't realize if Maiguru was censoring Nyasha for having an Anglicized attitude or for not having one.

32) “There was a full-length mirror so bright and new that it reflected only the present.” Tambu said this when she entered at Nyasha'a bedroom for the first time. She thinks that the picture reflected at the mirror was only present, she would change and improve her condition. For Tambu, the mirror was a symbol of prosperity and hope.

33) This quotation is part of a conversation between Nyasha and Maiguru. Both were trying to express their point of view about DH Lawrence. Here basically you could see a common characteristic about them, both are lector. At the same time is showing the two opposing figures (the young intellectual girl who wanted to do what she wanted, no matter what other think about her and the adult who was trying to control her, as mother). Here you could see the mother who wanted to control her daughter and the daughter who wanted to disobey her. Also this quotation showed a common social conflict, where different point of view are present over the same fact and the family conflict were parents wanted to order their children but they couldn’t because of their rebellion. In other word many fact are represented here.

34) "Most of me sought order. Most of me was concrete and categorical. These parts disapproved of Nyasha very strongly and were wary of her. There was something about her that was too intangible for me to be comfortable with."

35) " Nyasha, my Anglicized cousin, was glamorous in an irreverent way that made me feel uneducated in some vital aspect of teenage womanliness. The thought persisted that Nyasha would not be good for me." This was said by Tambu, when she entered Nyasha's bathroom, she described an uncomfortable situation, she thought that Nyasha's personality was very strange, and that wouldn't help her to concentrate and settle down as she expected to. Her presence concerned Tambu a lot, because she knew she had lots of things to learn about her, and Nyasha didn't talk to her.

36) “My heart brimmed over with gratitude and love for my aunt and uncle. All the excitement, uncertainty, anxiety and happiness mixed into such a steamy emotion that I was almost reduced to tears.” In this quote Tambu was infinitely grateful to his uncle and aunt because they had given her a suitcase full of a new wardrobe she could use. She was very emotional because this was more than what she could have ever expected, in the homestead she only had a frock and now she had a lot of things to wear from which to choose. But the most important thing they had given her was the opportunity to study and have a better future.