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Difficulty: MediumAnalysis of Prescribed African Prose Texts

In Mariama Bâ's prescribed novel *So Long a Letter*, how does Aissatou respond when her husband, Mawdo Bâ, takes Young Nabou as a second wife?

  1. She rejects polygamy, leaves her marriage, and pursues an independent career as an interpreter.Answer
  2. B
    She accepts the co-wife arrangement while secretly plotting to disinherit Young Nabou's offspring.
  3. C
    She abandons her children and retreats permanently to her home village of Tivaouane.
  4. D
    She publicly confronts Aunty Nabou and physically assaults the young bride.

Answer

Aissatou rejects the practice of polygamy, divorces Mawdo Bâ by leaving a formal letter, furthers her education, and achieves financial independence through her career as an interpreter.
When Mawdo Bâ marries Young Nabou due to pressure from his mother (Aunty Nabou), Aissatou refuses to accept polygamy. She writes a letter declaring her independence, leaves Mawdo, completes her studies in France, and secures a prestigious job at the Senegalese embassy in the United States.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the novel and character context
Mariama Bâ's *So Long a Letter* explores the reactions of two women (Ramatoulaye and Aissatou) to their husbands taking second wives.
Establishing the thematic contrast between Aissatou's radical choice and Ramatoulaye's traditional endurance.
2
Analyze Aissatou's specific choice and course of action
Unlike Ramatoulaye who remains in her marriage, Aissatou refuses to share her husband, writes a letter ending their marriage, leaves with her sons, studies to become an interpreter, and relocates to Washington.
Accurate recall of textual plot points and character motivation.

Key Concept

Analysis of Prescribed African Prose Texts
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Analysis of Prescribed African Prose Texts

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