So Long a Letter

Feminism is a strong theme throughout the novel. Much of Rama’s character development over the course of the book involves her growing ability to see women, including herself, as fully autonomous humans deserving of equality. Aissatou’s decision to leave her husband after he takes a second wife is a clearly feminist act. She is counseled by women and men alike to accept the new marriage, as she and her sons “belong” with Mawdo and “cannot succeed” (32) without him. Despite this, she leaves the marriage with a strongly-worded letter making clear that both she and her sons are separate, equal humans. She writes, “I am stripping myself of your love, your name” [...]. Clothed in my dignity, the only worthy garment, I go my way” (33). Rama praises her friend for her “courage” in taking her “life into [her] own hands” (33). Years later, when Rama finds herself in an identical situation, she struggles with whether to leave her husband, as Aissatou did: “Leave? Start again at zero…?” (41), she wonders. She laments the fact that, in a patriarchal society, as women age their worth diminishes, but men become distinguished. Rama does not leave