FATHERS OF NATIONS GUIDE, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSPlight of WomenFATHER OF NATIONS THEMES/ISSUES/THEMATIC CONCERNS
‘Fathers of Nations’ is basically a story of four men from different parts of Africa who despite going through different misfortunes try to influence the new document: Path Alpha. The big question is where are women?
The book is entitled Fathers of Nations. The title points to the masculinity and the role of these men folk in the predicament bedeviling the African continent. Are not there Mothers of Nations? It speaks to the patriarchal nature of the African continent. Thus, it is challenge to the patriarchal status of Africa and pointing to the question the place of women society and the possibility of them being the alternative choice. The novel is dominated by male characters ranging from the four men front the different parts of Africa; Prof. Kimani (East) Comrade Melusi (South) Pastor Chiamaka (West ) and Engineer Tahir (North) to Dr. Afolabi, the advisor to Africa's heads of state summit and Path Alpha enthusiast, to the VOA personnel Mr. Robert Manley and Mr. Nick sentinel. Only one woman Ms. Fiona Mckenzie, stands out. Other women play a very minimal and peripheral role in the development of the story. Tuni dies in a road accident, her mother Asiya divorces Prof. Kimani on the account that professor's vehicle's condition made their daughter use a public service vehicle making their only daughter be exposed to accident. Pamela comes back to Nigeria with her husband from America to meet a woman in her bedroom. This angers her and results in her filing for divorce.
Forty — nine heads of state arrive at Banjul, Gambia for the heads of state summit.
None of this heads of state is a woman. They look happy having left their problems back at home, No wonder the title of the text is Fathers of Nations and not parents/mothers of nations. Probably this does speak to the patriarchal society Africa is and the role women played in founding these states. Ziliza, Comrade Melusi's wife is killed in cold blood by men believed to be the Zimbabwe's ruler's operatives. Though dead, her photo and memory about her psyches Comrade Melusi to avenge against the brutal ruler. Though dead, her spirit lives on, ignites and reminds Comrade Melusi, the nature of the current leadership: poor. Rahma Mahamoud is another woman in the text. Ms. Mahmoud is a junior to Engineer Tahir. Engineer Tahir falls in love with her and proposes to her. She says no to the proposal. This response angers him. He slaps her because of an unclear reason and circumstances. She retaliates throwing a piece of glass on his eye, she's taken to court and the court reaches a decision of her also losing an eye through surgery. They both lose an eye. This episode speaks to some cultural practices that are outdated. Were it not for the outdated culture, Engineer Tahir would not have slapped Ms. Rahma Mahmoud which led to this spiral effect of both losing an eye. It is high time some of these cultural practices are relooked at.
1 Comment
Millicent Atieno
14/4/2024 12:00:34
thanks
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