"Scarlet Song"

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that the book is set in post-colonial Senegal, and focuses on the life and struggles of Ousmane Gueye. It explains that it is important to understand that when a country is colonized, certain aspects of the native culture are either suppressed or lost and that it becomes difficult for a person growing up in that environment to have a strong sense of their cultural identity. The writer summarizes the story, showing how Ousmane is affected by the colonization of Senegal. The paper discusses Ousmane's marriage to a woman of a different race and the affair he later has with a woman of his own race. The writer states that "Scarlet Song" offers insight into the psychological, cultural and emotional aspects of post-colonial life. In conclusion, the writer posits that the story subtly denounces colonialism because of the inevitable confusion that can be a result of it, and that it can also be a catalyst to other pain and suffering.

From the Paper:

"The final event that drew Ousmane away from his wife came with the Ouleymatou's successful attempt to seduce him. Ouleymatou's goal was to win Ousmane over, and she accomplished that by meeting his every needs and disregarding her own. Ousmane's childhood obsession was rekindled; and with his own marriage failing, he found the physically attractive black woman a solution to his problems. At a dinner at Ouleymatou's house, Ousmane indulged himself in a "childish pleasure to be eating with his fingers again" (177); further, he reveled in the fact that no one had nagged him about washing his hands. Ousmane took a liking to his dominant role in his mistress's household where he can be "the lord and master" (148)."

More papers on "Scarlet Song":

• Analytical Essay # 64241 : "Mariama Ba's "Un Chant Ecarlate" ("Scarlet Song")"
• Book Review # 45882 : "Mariama Ba's "The Scarlet Song"
• Analytical Essay # 4779 : "Scarlet Song" by Mariama Ba"

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