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Example research essay topic: Long A Letter Modou Passed Ramatoulaye - 541 words

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Tradition and customs very often hold an important position in ones life and culture. The novel So Long A Letter, by Mariana Ba, is based on the Senegalese culture and shows how important tradition is in Africa. The novel is a series of letters written by a recently widowed woman, Ramatoulaye, to her best friend Aissatou. The transition through the many grieving stages and traditional mourning events are explained, as well as a womans place in a Senegalese society and family. According to Muslim tradition, which was the dominant tradition in Senegal, when Ramatoulaye's husband, Modou, passed away, she had to mourn over her loss for three months. During this time, friends and family members gathered in her house to accompany her.

One of the traditions, which she wasnt too fond of, was having to give up her possessions and belongings as gifts to her in-laws, as well as her deceased husbands personal secrets. This whole process was a way of giving up herself as a person. Beyond her possessions she gives up her personality, her dignity, becoming a thing in the service of the man who has married her (pg. 4). Another very significant aspect of Senegalese society was Polygamy. Ramatoulaye and Aissatou were both part of a polygamist relationship, in which they were the first wives, and watched their husbands take on younger more beautiful wives. However, the difference between them was that Aissatou was able to take her four children and start a new life without her husband and became an independent woman after hearing that her husband was taking on a co-wife.

Ramatoulaye, on the other hand, who had twelve children and couldnt possibly live on her own, had to accept her husbands actions. However, what greatly disturbed her and upset her was that this new co-wife was a friend of her daughters. Ramatoulaye, being a very educated schoolteacher, had to now share her husbands memories and possessions with this co-wife that was basically half her age. The presence of my co-wife besides me irritates me. She installed in my house for the funeral, in accordance with tradition (pg. 3).

After the mourning period was over, Ramatoulaye continued on an emotional roller coaster. As a traditional Senegalese woman, she was expected to remarry and have a man take care of her and her children. She was offered to become the wife of her brother-in-law. However, Ramatoulaye decided against this idea, and instead resolved to be an independent woman like her dear friend, and live on her own. Aissatou represented the modern woman that Ramatoulaye was envious of. Therefore, after Modou passed away, it was the perfect opportunity for her to break free from the traditional Islamic ways.

Moreover, she really had no desire to be in a polygamist relationship once again. So Long A Letter is an excellent novel, one that opens up our eyes to new cultures and different ways of life. Being an American, it is very interesting to read about polygamist relationships because that never happens in our society. In contrast, it is such a huge part of the Islamic culture.

Ramatoulaye becomes a very strong person by the end of the novel, who was able to make the best of her tragic experience.


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Research essay sample on Long A Letter Modou Passed Ramatoulaye

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