Comparative Analysis of 'Nervous Conditions' and 'Breath, Eyes, Memory'

Introduction

The novels Nervous Conditions and Breath, Eyes, Memory are both about two young women. We gain a firsthand look into their lives as these stories are first-person narratives. This essay will focus more on comparison than contrast, given the significant and important similarities between the novels. The main themes of the two books are duality and patriarchy, which are also their similarities.

Overview of Breath, Eyes, Memory

Breath, Eyes, Memory is a novel primarily about a girl named Sophie. Sophie's mother left her at her sister Atie's house to go to New York in pursuit of a better life for herself and Sophie. When Sophie was twelve, she received a plane ticket from her mother to join her in New York. Sophie was reluctant to leave her aunt, who had been more of a mother figure to her than anyone else. Her aunt insisted that Sophie should leave because her mother needed her and there was no future for a woman in Haiti. Her aunt Atie remarked, “We are each going to our mothers. That is what was supposed to happen” (Danticat, 1994, p. 19), leaving Sophie without a choice. Sophie had a difficult time living with her mother, describing it as the worst period of her life: “It is the most horrible thing that ever happened to me” (Danticat, 1994, p. 156), largely due to her mother's "testing" of her virginity. Her mother, Martine, suspected that Sophie had been dating a boy and wanted to ensure she was still a virgin.

Overview of Nervous Conditions

Nervous Conditions is a novel about a girl named Tambu, written from her point of view. The book begins intriguingly with the statement, “I was not sorry when my brother died” (Dangarembga, 1988, p. 1). The narrative centers on Tambu and her brother Nhamo's death, as she frequently references and compares herself to him. Tambu's life takes a new turn after her brother's death, as she finally gets the opportunity to attend school at the mission—a chance she would not have had if her brother were still alive. Despite her efforts to earn money for school tuition by growing her maize, her father and mother discourage her. Her maize is eventually stolen by her own brother, Nhamo, who, like other men, believes that women should not attend school.

Patriarchy as a Central Theme

The central theme in both books is patriarchy. Tambu has always lived in her brother's shadow, being told that women should stay home to manage the household rather than pursue education. Her father's words exemplify this mindset: “Can you cook books and feed them to your husband? Stay at home with your mother. Learn to cook and clean. Grow vegetables.” Because of this patriarchal system, where only men and boys receive education, Tambu resents her brother. Even though her uncle Babamukuru's wife, Maiguru, holds a master's degree, she is unable to use it because she is not a man. Similarly, Breath, Eyes, Memory addresses patriarchy, as Haitian women are valued only if they remain untouched. The reality is grim, as mothers test their daughters to ensure their purity, fearing disgrace if anything happens before marriage. Martine, Sophie's mother, would say, “There are secrets you cannot keep” after each test, suggesting it was her duty and a way to exert control over Sophie. Sophie ultimately overcomes the testing by using a pestle to break her hymen, declaring, “My flesh ripped apart as I pressed the pestle into it.” In Nervous Conditions, men seem to believe they hold power over women, needing to maintain control and masculinity, akin to how Haitian mothers control their daughters' purity. Tambu first stands up for herself by refusing Babamukuru’s order to attend her parents' wedding, asserting, “I'm sorry, Babamukuru, but I do not want to go to the wedding.” This act of defiance, despite the punishment of fifteen lashes, empowers Tambu, leading Maiguru and Babamukuru’s daughter, Nyasha, to stand up for themselves. Nyasha develops an eating disorder, resisting her father's control over her diet. Tambu's mother blames Nyasha's disorder on “Englishness,” saying, “It’s the Englishness it’ll kill them all if they are not careful.”

Duality as a Shared Theme

Another shared theme in the novels is duality. Sophie moves from Haiti to New York, similar to Tambu’s cousin Nyasha, who returns to Africa from England. Nyasha struggles after returning, having experienced a different lifestyle in England and resisting the old ways in Africa. In a confrontation with her father, Nyasha declares, “I know. It is not England anymore... and I'm convinced I don't want to be anyone's underdog... But once you get used to it, it just seems natural and you just carry on. And that's the end of you. You're trapped. They control everything you do.” This quote highlights her desire to not be subjugated and to aspire for equality experienced in England. Sophie’s duality issues arise when she starts school in New York, expressing her frustration: “I hated the Marantha Bilingual Institution. It was if I had never left Haiti. All lessons were in French….. Outside the school.. called us ‘boat people’ and ‘stinking Haitians.’” She learns English at home, feeling she is acquiring the language without being able to demonstrate it at school.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the novels share significant similarities, particularly in exploring themes of patriarchy and duality. Both Sophie and Tambu face challenges related to their gender, with Sophie confronting issues of sexual purity and Tambu struggling against the societal view of women as inferior to men. Both characters must contend with the perception of male superiority. Regarding duality, Sophie and Nyasha both grapple with adapting to new environments—Sophie in New York, pursuing the American dream, and Nyasha in Africa, resisting the patriarchal norms she finds oppressive. These narratives offer a profound exploration of the complexities faced by women in different cultural and societal contexts.

References:

Danticat, E. (1994). Breath, Eyes, Memory. Vintage Books.

Dangarembga, T. (1988). Nervous Conditions. Ayebia Clarke Publishing.