I Will Wait by Bertha Msora Notes
Relevance of Title
The title of the play is aptly captured through the characters Rudo, Leo and Togara.
Initially it is Togara who had promised his inlaws that he would wait for Rudo to come of age,to be ripe for marriage, after the demise of his wife.
Literally he waited,but through irony,one learns that he found comfort from Rose’s arms while ‘waiting’ for Rudo to mature.
Rudo also promises to wait for Leo James when he goes overseas for his studies as he has promised to marry her. Again, through irony,the audience knows that Rudo is lying since she knew that she had been pledged to Togara upon the instructions of her sister when she was dying.
But emotionally Rudo did wait for Leo because her sham marriage to Togara was only in name.
It is Leo who embodies all the aspects of waiting in the play as he indeed waits for Rudo even when he is abroad.
When Togara tragically dies,he waits for her to complete her one year of mourning,and through dramatic suspense,one can only guess that he is waiting for her in order to marry her.
Characterisation
Rudo
She is one of the protagonists in the play.
She is an admirable character who is an unfortunate victim of a traditional and patriarchal society which is oppressive to women.
This is traceable to the manner in which she is forced to marry Togara,her late sister’s husband based on her supposedly death bed wish that Rudo should take care of the deceased’s children.
Through the dream motif,the family justifies this absurd wife pledging enterprise by arguing that the sister’s is speaking from her grave.
Regardless, Rudo is intelligent,she is looking forward to passing her ordinary level examinations.
She is also ambitious as she would like to pursue a course after ordinary level.
Rudo is also loyal as she remains loyal to Leo despite being forced to marry Togara.
She is also motherly as shown by her devotion to her sister’s children whom she says she will take care of them like her own
Rudo is loving as shown by her devotion to Leo.
She is also loving towards her cousins.
Rudo is also outspoken as shown by how she challenges her parents and relatives who are armtwisting her into marrying Togara, but a combination of patriarchy,the trope of dreams and tradition doom her into an unhappy marriage.
She is brave enough to challenge the shackles of oppression in the form of her father but receives little support from the rest of the family.
This brings out the idea that women are second class citizens (thingified entities) as Rudo’s voice is relegated to the dustbin.
The society is also exposed as hostile towards women as Rudo is expected to be meek,submissive and voiceless even in the face of oppression.
Rudo,one can argue,is aptly named as she is loving as per name thus the dramatist uses nomenclature to explore the significance of her loving nature.
Togara Chamunorwa
he is a brother- in-law to Rudo,is a deceitful character as shown by his farcical confessions of love for Rudo yet he is also in a relationship with Rosemary.
He pretends to have been waiting for Rudo yet he was in a relationship with another woman.
This buttresses the idea that he and probably society views women as sex objects and as second class citizens who are there to give men sexual gratification.
This is further shown by his disdain for Rudo to continue with her education as she is confident that she will pass her examinations.
That Togara wants Rudo to be merely a housewife is evidence of the fact that he together with the rest of the society is patriarchal and women are at the bottom of the food chain.
They are merely stereotyped as house wives and mothers this testifying to the gender based allocation of roles in this patriarchal society.
Togara is also domineering as shown by his bossy manner of shoving away Rosemary and also bullying his way into the path of Rudo without any regard for her feelings.
Act 1: Scene1
CHARACTERS: Rudo:Atete Rutendo;Togara.
Setting: semi-rural area..Atete Rutendo’s place..Morning
PLOT
The scene opens on a high note as both aunt and Rudo are expecting a visitor. Rudo is reprimanded by her aunt for delaying as the bus would arrive before her and their long awaited visitor will be both stranded and frustrated.Rudo seems aware of the bus’ exact time and is not moved.Tete asks her more about her fiance .Rudo tells her that Leo James is a lawyer and they are head over heels in true love.
There is a comparative analysis of modern love and traditional love.Aunt believes that the young generation is material centred unlike in their days where they married for position in society.Rudo objects and reassures her that the love between her and James was TRUE LOVE.
Rudo is however disturbed by the dreams she’s having of her late sister Tambudzai.She left an instruction before her death that Rudo should marry her husband Togara and take care of her children. Poor Rudo is between the horns of a dilemma and is deeply hurt and confused of her fate.Atete tells her bluntly that the words of a dead person must be heeded.
Act 1 scene 2
CHARACTERS:Togara;Rose;Aunt Revai;Nyasha&Ruvimbo
Setting:Togara Chamunorwa’s place..(semi-urban setup)
PLOT
Tension fills this chapter as daggers are drawn between Togara and Rose.They have stayed together for four years ..it looked like marriage but in this particular scene it turns out it was all cohabitation. Rose cannot stomach being jilted after what she had done to Togara when his wife passed away. To emphasize his point Togara starts moving Rose’s clothes from the main bedroom to Aunt Revai’s bedroom. Rose bursts out at him and calls him names but all her utterances fall on deaf ears.Aunt Revayi arrives too and witnesses the shock of her life.She too tries to reprimand Togara ,her brother, to no avail.He instead warns her to leave too or marry Rose! Nyasha and Ruvimbo have been sent away to buys goodies by their father so that they do not witness the chaos.It so painful that in the middle of the confusion Tambudzai’s picture frame glass is shattered which hurts the children as they kneel down to gather the irreparable pieces.
Characterisation
Rose
Role
– She is Togara’s unofficial wife or girlfriend of four years whom he stays with after the death of his wife, Tambudzayi as he waits for Rudo to become of marriageable age.
– She is mainini to Nyasha and Ruvimbo
Character traits
– Inquisitive
She is always asking questions and looking for answers, for example, she asks Togara, “so you are married to your books?”
– Determined
She is resolute in her stance that she will not leave Togara’s house. When Togara wants her to leave the house she sees it as a joke of the year and says to him, “I won’t leave this house.”
-Time conscious
She values time and does not want it wasted. When Togara wants to force her to leave his house for Rudo she tells him that “Not until you have wasted my time like this” referring to the four years they have stayed together.
– Insulting
She has no kind words for Togara whom he refers to as a “pauper”. She insults his masculinity in a patriarchal society where men should be providers.
– Demean others
Rose looks down upon other people including Togara. She says to Togara, “I found you miserable, penniless, dejected, inferior. You poor teacher with a poor salary.” This shows that Rose sees Togara as less human than her.
– Civil
Despite all the violence and aggression shown by Togara, Rose remains calm, acting in a civilized way. She says, “This is hard I understand, a man of his position behaving in such a barbaric way.” This shows that Rose acts in a civilized manner.
Togara
Role
– He is father to Ruvimbo and Nyasha
– He lives with Rose informally as his girlfriend-cum-wife
– He is a teacher
Traits
– Rude
He talks to Rose rudely and impolitely as he demands that she leaves his house. He says, “Before the end of the day you must have all your belongings out of the house.”
– Controlling
He is authoritative and controls the lives of every individual around him. He controls the life of Rose and tells her to leave his house when he wants. He also controls Atete Revai whom he tells not to interfere in his conflict with Rose unless she wants to be evicted from the house too.
– Truthful
He is blunt with words and his truthfulness can be noted when he tells Rose that he never married her despite having stayed with her for four years.
– Deceptive
He deceives Rise as he makes her believe that he loves her yet he only wants sexual gratification. He tells her that, “If at all I loved you, I would have paid lobola for you. We should have had a family by now.” (p.14)
– Protective
He protects his children, Ruvimbo and Nyasha, from seeing the drama of him forcing Rose out of the bedroom by giving them money and sending them away to get food stuffs that they desire.
– Quick to anger
Togara is easily angered by things and this can be observed when Atete Revai seem to be protecting and defending Rose; Togara tells her to pack her things too despite being his sister.
– Determined
Togara is resolute in wanting to see Rose gone. When Atete Revai wants to defend Rose, Togara tells her that she can marry her if she loves her. He bursts to Atete Revai, “Don’t involve me. I want to find the two of you gone when I return.” (p.15)
– Ungrateful
Togara doesn’t care how much Rose has helped him. He throws her out like she is nothing although Rose pleads, “Remember I found you miserable, penniless, dejected, inferior.” When Rose met Togara, he was poor but she helped him out only to get thrown out of the house so that Rudo can be accommodated.
Atete Revai
Role
– She is Togara’s sister and stays with him
– She likes Rose and defends her as an aunt
Traits
– Inquisitive
She asks a lot of questions to Togara as he moves Rose’s clothes out of the bedroom to her room.
– Knowledgeable
She has knowledge about a lot of issues and knows that Rudo is suppose to come and stay with Togara as per her late sister’s wish. She asks, “Can all this be in preparation for Rudo?”
– Civil/ modern
She is puzzled to know that Togara has taken Tambudzayi’s words seriously. She enquires, ” How can you take the words of a dead person seriously?” before concluding that “Tambudzayi is dead and her words died with her” (p.15)
– Judgemental
Atete Revai judges Tambudzayi as she says that Tambudzayi was “proud, stingy, unbearable, rude, unapproachable, always sulky – you never saw her smile.”
– Grateful/ appreciative
She appreciates things that Rose has done for the Chamunorwa family and Togara’s unclear family. Rose has assisted Revai, Togara, the children (Ruvimbo and Nyasha) and the Chamunorwas.
– Accusatory
She accuses the Mhondiwa’s of having given Togara a love portion (mupfuhwira)
-Violent
She angrily throws Tambudzayi’s picture frame on the floor leading to the breaking of the glass
Ruvimbo
Role
– She is Togara’s first child
Traits
– Mature
Although she is a child she acts maturely probing his father concerning the movement of Rose’s clothes from the main bedroom to Atete Revai’s room.
– Caring
She cares about her mother’s belongings and is devastated by the picture frame of her mother that is broken on the floor.
– Loving
Her actions show love for her sibling, Nyasha and also her departed mother.
Nyasha
Role
– Togara’s second child
– a sibling to Ruvimbo
Traits
– childish
He doesn’t know the implications of Rose’s clothes being moved from the bedroom as he wants to help his father to do so.
– Immature
He is easily bribed by money to forget things as he is forced to go away from the house by simply being given money by his father.
– Caring
He cares about the house and is disappointed to find the house in mess when he comes back with Ruvimbo.
Feelings evoked in the reader
- Pity
The reader feels pity for Rose since Togara no longer has time for her. Togara’s time is now only being dedicated to books. Rose asks him, “And so you are married to your books?”
- Sympathy
The reader sympathises with Rose whom Togara no longer has time for in their house. Sympathy is drawn when the reader learns that all communication has been cut.
- Sad
The reader feels sad when Togara forces Rose to leave the house after four years of staying together.
- Empathy
The reader empathises with Rose whose time has been wasted by Togara before he goes to the Mhondiwa’s to ask for Rudo as per her late sister’s wish.
- Happy
The reader feels happy at the determination and defiance shown by Rose when she tells Togara that she “won’t leave the house.”
- Enraged
The reader is enraged when Togara is sarcastic to Rose, telling her that “I never married you” after wasting her four years bystaying with her as a wife and making her believe that he loved her.
- Hopeful
The reader is hopeful that something good will come out when Atete Revai and Rose join forces to fight Togara.
- Disillusioned
When Togara and Rose exchange harsh words the reader is disillusioned because this is detrimental to the relationship that they have.
- Anxious
The reader is anxious to know if Atete Revai is going to fight for Rose and be on her side even after being threatened by Togara.
- Bitter
The reader feels bitter at Atete Revai for breaking Tambudzayi’s picture frame . Tambudzayi is dead and it’s five years from the incident so she has no right to do so.
Themes
- Marriage
-The scene brings out both the formal and informal marriage.
-In a formal marriage the union is known and formalized through bride price while the informal union skips introductions and bride price.
– Tambudzayi and Togara had a formal marriage while Rose and Togara are in an informal union since Togara never formalised their staying together which makes it easy for him to easily throw her out.
– The scene also shows that marriage is not just for an individual but a lot of people are involved as observed through Atete Revai who complains about Tambudzayi’s attitude to extended family members.
- Bribery
– Use of money to achieve one’s desired results is also seen in the scene.
– For example, Togara uses money to bribe his children out of the house. He gives them money so that they can go away while he concludes his conflict with Rose.
- Death
– Death is brought out through reference to Tambudzayi in the scene.
– Tambudzayi’s death is seen by Atete Revai as having a destabilizing effect on the family since she instructed Togara to marry Rudo before she died.
– However, death can be seen to have robbed Nyasha and Ruvimbo of their mother and Togara of his wife.
- Inheritance
– Togara is instructed by Tambudzayi to take Rudo as his wife on her death bed.
– This is a modernized form of inheritance and the family agrees to it.
– Rudo is therefore to go and stay with Togara as his wife because she is inherited after Tambudzayi’s words.
- Patriarchy
– This refers to male dominance in society
– This dominance by males allows them to illtreat women, for example, Rose’s untimely send off by Togara.
– The separation of Rose and Togara shows male dominance
– Togara simply decides to do away with Rose, replacing her with Rudo because society is controlled by men.
– He does not even consult his sister, Revai or involve his children in decision making.
- Tradition
– The scene brings out the tradition of following the wishes of the departed.
– Tambudzayi’s words are part of the Shona tradition and must be carried out to appease her spirit.
– This is the reason why the family, Mhondiwa’s agree to it but Revai questions this tradition and sees it as barbaric as a person does with his words.
– However, Togara values this tradition and trades her love for Rose with Tambudzayi’s wish as he takes Rudo
Act 1 Scene 3
Setting: Mhondiwa home
Summary
Rudonis at her parents house and is sweeping the yard. She is crying and blaming Tambudzayi for being cruel as she does her chore before Ate Rutendo interrupts her. Rudo has had the same dream twice, of Tambudzayi giving her her two children before vanishing. Atete Rutendo upon being told the dream says that Tambudzayi wants her to take care of the children she left. She hurries Rudo into changing into better clothes before proceeding to meet Sarudzayi and Ndareva, Rudo’s parents. Atete Rutendo has brought the news that Togara now wants to take Rudo as his wife. Ndareva is pleased with the news and promises to discuss the issue with the elders in the family. The other issue Atete Rutendo presents is about Rudo’s boyfriend, Leo-James whom she was intoduce to. Ndareva dismisses the issue and doesn’t want to hear about Leo-James but Sarudzayi is interested in the matter leading to a quarel between the two parents and Atete Rutendo. Sarudzayi understands her daughter’s predicament and comforts her while Ndareva wants to hear nothing about any other man because Togara has done a lot for the Mhondiwa family including sending Rudo to school and clothing them. The scene ends with Rudo crying bitterly over the issue of being Togara’s wife at the expense of her choice.
Characters
Active characters
Rudo
Atete Rutendo
Sarudzayi
Ndareva ( Baba Zvaiteyi)
Silent characters
Tambudzayi, Mai Fungai, Zvareva
Characterisation
Rudo
Role
– She is Tambudzayi’s young sister
– She is waiting for her ordinary level results
– she is child to Ndareva and Sarudzayi
– She is to be inherited as a wife by Togara
Traits
Bitter – she cries over marrying Togara because she has her own boyfriend, Leo-James whom she loves. She doesn’t want to fulfill Tambudzayi’s death wish since she does not share any love affection with Togara.
Hardworking – she does the household chores which includes sweeping the yard in the morning and her mother complains that she cannot leave for Togara’s house before they have harvested since she needs her help.
Unhappy – Rudo’s sadness emanates from the dreams about Tambudzayi and being forced to marry Togara. She is an unhappy as observed through her weeping due to the complicated situation she faces.
Caring – although she does not love Togara and doesn’t want to get married to him, she cares about the well being of Ruvimbo and Nyasha. She says she could look after them without having to get married to Togara
Modern – As a young girl, Rudo is modern and doesn’t want to be married to Togara simply because Tambudzayi said so before she died. Rudo wants to make her own choices in the modern way.
Atete Rutendo
Traits
Observant – she is quick to she that Rudo is not well by just observing her. She is also quick to notice a clay pot that is near Sarudzayi’s fire place and comments about it’s lovely finish.
Traditional – Her greetings to Ndareva, her brother are traditional. She also tells Rudo that she needs a n’anga for speaking to herself. This form of therapy she prescribes is traditional. She also says that when she was ill she went to see a n’anga.
Persuasive – She persuades Rudo to tell her stories and about the dreams concerning Tambudzayi. After a set of questions she says , “Tell me more” to encourage Rudo to speak.
Understanding – She uses a sympathetic tone and feels sorry for Rudo who is in a complicated situation. She understands the emotional anguish that Rudo is going through and wants Ndareva to understand her daughter’s situation. Her understanding can be seen in the comfort she offers to Rudo.
Encouraging – She encourages Rudo to be at her best. She urges her to be always smart as she says people should not see her looking scruffy.
Sociable – She is good at conversing with everyone including Sarudzayi, her muroora. She also jokes with her brother, Ndareva.
Loving and caring – She constantly visits her brother as she is said to have left the house in the previous two weeks before she came back. Her brother commends her for her love but wonders when she will have time for her fields. Her care also comes out in the way she beckons Rudo to come to her and hugs her after Togara has said that Rudo will only marry Togara.
Respectful – She respects her brother and doesn’t question his decision with regards to the marriage of Rudo and choice of suitor.
Lacks confidence – Atete Rutendo feels uneasy to introduce Togara’s request to take Rudo. She stummers “well… I am sure you know er … er …that … em … Rudo … is a mature girl.” This stummering shows her lack of confidence to present the matter to Ndareva.
Courageous – She tells Ndareva of Rudo’s other potential suitor and boyfriend, Leo-James. She introduces Leo-James in the fray after talking about Togara’s request and continues even when her brother refuses to hear none of it.
Sarudzayi
Role
– she is wife to Ndareva
– she is sister-in-law to Atete Revai
– she is mother to Zvaiteyi, Tambudzayi and Rudo
– she is a house wife who is submissive to her husband in a partriachal manner.
Traits
Caring – She cares about other people in community and attends a neighbour’s funeral (Zvareva) to console the family.
Loving – She is deeply troubled by Rudo’s complicated situation. She wants Rudo to have her choice of husband. She urges Atete Rutendo to go on about Leo-James’ information because she wants to have a fair judgement of the two.
Optimistic – She hopes that a fair marriage set-up can be struck for Rudo.
Traditional – she is a traditional wife who is submissive to her husband and partakes of her traditional roles. She does the chores like cooking, respects her in-laws and attends neighbour’s funeral.
Respectful – although she dislikes Ndareva’s decision to force Rudo to marry Togara, she completely does not object to it. She actually urges Rudo to do what her father has decided.
Uneducated – The failure to pronunciate words such as fertilizer which she refers to as “fetiraiza” shows her illiteracy
Probing – she probes atete Rutendo to go on with Leo-James’ information, chipping in with questions that are vital for her story to continue. She wants adequate information to be able to compare him with Togara.
Understanding – as a woman she understands the pliht of her daughter, Rudo and the complications in her situation since she has limitations in choosing a husband of her own.
Ndareva
Role
– He is Sarudzayi’s husband
– He is a brother to Atete Rutendo
– He is father to Rudo, Tambudzayi and Zvaiteyi
– He is a patriarchal man who believes in man’s authority
Traits
Appreciative – he is grateful of Atete Rutendo’s visits which are regular. Before her latest visit she had been there in the previous two weeks.
Controlling – He controls women. He quizzes Rutendo about her work in the fields by asking when she will have have time to work in her fields when she is always visiting. He also decides who marries Rudo without consulting the women, Sarudzayi and Rutendo.
Patriarchal – He believes that men should do important masculine things and they can’t cope with “women’s talk”. He also views women as inferior to men.
Traditional – He does not conclude or give the final say to Togara’s request to join the family without consulting with the elders.
Humourous – He jokes with Atete Rutendo and makes her laugh. For example, when Atete Rutendo says she something important to discuss with him, he responds “About clay pots” leading to laughter
Impatient – He doesn’t like the way Atete Rutendo meanders about the reason for her visit and holding his journey to the growth point. His questions “So what”, and “what is this ?” shows that he has no time for silly stories. Rutendo actually says, “Impatient as always” testifying to his character.
Strict – he does not want Rudo to have a boyfriend and he does not want to hear any of it in his house.
Impolite – At times he is rude as shown by the use of the words “rubbish” and “nonsense” when Atete mentions about Leo-James.
Quick to anger – Ndareva gets angry easily. Shortly after being happy about Togara’s request, he gets angry at the news of Leo-Janes.
Irresponsible – Ndareva can be termed an irresponsible father since he can’t take care of his family. Togara took care of Rudo’s fees, clothes and food for the family and this led to the impossibility of Rudo getting married to any other man because Ndareva won’t be able to repay Togara.
Violent – He almost hits Rudo for wanting to disagree with him about marrying Togara.
Feelings evoked in the reader
- Satisfied
The reader is satisfied when Sarudzayi, Rudo’s mother shows interest in Leo-James and pleads on behalf of Rudo to her father.
- Enraged
When Rudo’s father, Ndareva is emphatic and oes not want to hear anything about Leo-James and leaves for Sora township telling Rudo to get prepared to be Togara’s wife/ to switch their home for Togara’s the reader goes through rage.
- Disheartened
When Rudo is deeply troubled by the dreams that she has and is crying with no one to help and support her, the reader feels disheartened.
- Reassured
One is reassured when Atete Rutendo hugs Rudo as a promise to stick to her and support her.
- Hopeful
The reader becomes optimistic when Sarudzayi shows interest in Leo-James story that Atete Rutendo brings in after Togara’s request.
- Dejected
The reader is saddened by Ndareva’s actions bwhen he gives no room to negotiate Rudo’s well being but concludes the matter alone. His consultation of the elders is mere formality because the decision has been made.
- Comforted
When Rudo’s mother seem to be on Rudo’s side , understanding the pain her daughter must be going through the reader is comorted hoping that she might act in Rudo’s favour.
- Sympathy
One sympathises with Rudo whose life has been made hell by Tambudzayi who said she should get married to Togara before she died.
- Bitter
The reader goes through bitterness towards Togara who wants to force Rudo to marry him and Ndareva who is not concerned about her daughter’s well being but only seeks to exonerate himself of the money Togara has used on Rudo and the family.
Themes
- Forced marriage
– Although it was Tambudzayi’s wish that Rudo must get married to Togara, it can be observed that the marriage is forced on her since she is not in agreement with her father and cries over the issue
– Rudo has no say in the impeding marriage since it is her father and the elders in the who decide her fate.
– the marriage has no aspects of love but is merely fulfilling Tambudzayi’s wish and Ndareva cannot act contary because he has been looked after by Togara and Rudo herself has been send to school by Togara
- Death
-The scene also brings out the theme of death.
– There is Tambudzayi’s death which comes out when Rudo dreams about her handing her her two children and Zvareva’s death which comes out when Sarudzayi mentions his death.
– Death is portrayed as a reality of life although it robs loved ones of one of their own.
- Entrepreneurship
– This comes out in the clay pots being made by Mai Fungai.
– her pottery which is for selling drwas the attention of Atete Rutendo who comments on its beauty .
– The theme shows that women also productive in society
- Manual labour
– This theme comes out in the play when there is reference to field work.
– Manual labour is provided by everyone as Sarudzayi wants Rudo to stay at least until harvest time so that she can help her.
– Ndareva also enquires from his sister when she will get time to work on her fields if she is constantly visiting.
– Manual labour is important in that it enables the families to have food on the table
Act 2 Scene 1
Setting: Harare, Leo-James’s bedroom
Summary
The scene is romantic and it focuses on the two lovers, Rudo and Leo-James. Rudo visits Leo-James at his house in Harare. However, Leo-James is worried since three weeks have passed without a responsebon the engagement issue he presented to Atete Rutendo. Leo-James is left with five days before he leaves for overseas where he will be for six months. He cannot take Rudo with him to his farewell party being held on the day of her visit because they are not yet engaged/ formally introduced. Rudo avoids telling Leo -James the truth about Togara’s request and upcoming marriage as she lies about her parents being busy and attending to a lot of things. Even when Leo-James notices that Rudo is not happy, she says that it’s because he is leaving yet it’s the imminent marriage to Togara that’s toubling her. Leo -James tells Rudo to remain steadfastin their love especially when they are not engaged because six months is a lot of time. Rudo emphatically tells him that she will wait for him but when she avoids Leo-James’s eyes, he feels she is not sincere in her proclamation. The two later engage in a romantic conversation and have drinks together before Leo-James tries to persuade Rudo to spend the night with him. Initially, she refuses citing his father’s strictness but later she decides to stay the night. Leo-James then shows Rudo pictures taken when they went out to Lake Mcllwaine and each takes a photo for memories. Leo-James then hurries to the farewell party at his parents home leaving Rudo with promises to come before midnight.
Characters
Rudo
Leo-James
Characterisation
Rudo
Role
– She is Leo-James’ girlfriend
– she plays the role of marriage complications
– She plays the role of a complicated situation between family and individual
Traits
Dishonest
She lies to Leo-James about the reason for their failed engagement party. Instead o f telling him of the impending marriage to Togara and Tambudzayi’s death wish, she chooses to lie that her parents have been too busy to give attention to the matter.
Pretentious
She pretends to be in the dark about the reason why the engagement has failed to materialise yet she knows. Her father has commanded her her to prepare to go Togara’s house as his wife. She pretentiously tells Leo that “I do not know what to do. My father is delaying. He is giving all sorts of excuses.”
Loving
Although she has her own complications with regard to loving Leo-James, Rudo still genuinely shows him true affection. She pours him drink, chats romantically with him and says she already misses him before he has even left for overseas. He says to him, “Am all yours.”
Courageous
Her decision to stay for the night at Leo-James’ place is an act of bravery given her father’s strictness.
Emotional
When Leo-James comments about the change of attitude by Rudo, she almost cried. Her emotions gets the better of her.
Introvert
She keeps things to herself and is not willing to share even with someone whom she loves. She keeps her anguish, emotions and marriage to Togara to herself. She only says to Leo-James “I wish you knew what am experiencing.”
Indecisive
She keeps changing her decisions which shows that she is not consistent. At first she tells Leo-James that she cannot stay for the night but later changes her decision and tells him that she is staying for the night.
Traditional
She decides not to go to Leo’s farewell party because they have not been engaged. She even asks Leo, “In what capacity?” to show that she has to be traditionally introduced before she go on to meet Leo’s family and other family members.
Leo-James
Role
– He is Rudo’s boyfriend of choice
– He is an educated man who wants to follow tradition with Rudo, though through the modern way of engagement
– A hardworking lawyer who is about to depart for overseas where he will stay for six months
Traits
Impatient
He could no longer wait for an answer for his request to engage with Rudo. He tells Rudo that he was now preparing to go and see her aunt again. He cannot wait any longer for an answer as he asks Rudo if she still loves him.
Cautious
He is calculative and he doesn’t want to take Rudo to his family until they have been formally introduced lest the relationship fails to yield into marriage.
Optimistic
He is hopeful that his love with Rudo will yield to something. He tells Rudo that “I hope it’s not a sign that he resents me” in relation to her father.
Observant
Leo notices that Rudo is not her usual self. She is unhappy and he comments, “You don’t look happy.’ He also notices that Rudo is not her loving and jov ial self.
Loving
Leo easily tells Rudo that he loves her and assures her of his desire to be with her. His conversation with her is also romantic and actions of kissing hugging Rudo beams of love.
Frank
Leo tells Rudo that she is not sincere with him after she looks away to avoid his eyes. He is truthful and does not hide what he thinks and feels.
Romantic
He makes the visit by Rudo memorable through romantic actions. He does not only shower her with love but also has a surprise for her. The surprise of photos makes them all happy as they reminisce about the Lake Mcllwaine outing
Feelings evoked
- Happy
The reader feels happy about Rudo’s visit to Leo-James, a boyfriend whom she loves even after her father’s decree that she will marry Togara.
- Elated
The love between Rudo and Leo has not died away despite what is happening in Rudo’s life and her impending marriage to Togara.
- Sad
The reader feels sad that Rudo cannot attend the farewell party for Leo -James because she is not engaged to him.
- Angry
The reader gets angry at Rudo for lying to Leo -James about the delay in his answer for an engagement.
- Sympathy
One sympathises with Rudo who is caught in between telling Leo-James about her imminent marriage to Togara and keeping it to herself . The issue is so complicated that Rudo is not happy and the reader feels for her
- Disheartened
One is disheartened when Rudo asures Leo -James that she will wait yet she knows that she is going to be Togara’s wife very soon.
- Satisfied
The reader is satisfied when Rudo tells Leo -James that she is staying for the night, rekindling the hope that she might defy her father’s instruction and choose to elope to Leo to become his wife.
- Pity
The reader feels pity for Leo -James who is jealous of Rudo thinking that might fall for someone yet she is already Togara’s wife.
- Hopeful
The reader feels hopeful that Rudo and Leo-James might be together when he returns overseas because she says she will wait. The reader is made to believe that Rudo has some other thoughts of defying her father
Themes
- Love
– There is an act of true affection between Leo-James and Rudo.
– The two are deeply in love and Rudo visits her boyfriend before he goes away.
– However, the love between the two is hedged with complications since Rudo is to be taken by Togara and his father has agreed.
– Rudo and Leo-James are romantic as the drink together, hug and sit close each other.
– Love between the two is also complicated because the commitment they wish to do through engagement is failing to materialise and Rudo is not bing honest.
– Love is however portrayed as a conquerer of all the problems.
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