In this chapter the author deals with various issues that take us close to the title of the novel. The binding ties are revealed as poverty, HIV, underpayment of workers (plight of doctors )etc . However Chidavaenzi still manages to bring out traces of love and hope despite the ties.
Jackie and Chiedza are travelling to High fields . The readers get to know of Chiedza’s undoubtful interests for Lincoln . Jackie acts as the mediator . She is like the bridge between lincoln and Chiedza
Entrance into the surbub with the biblical name Cannaan (the land of peace and joy). Chiedza remarks ,”that sounds more like Michael..”(an angel )
There’s so much irony in these names . They are on their way to High fields but it clearly is not not a land of joy. And michael ? Has not he done much harm to Chiedza .
In this chapter , chidavaenzi reveals his treatment of rich men … “..you know those pretty ,pampered boys from filthy rich families who think life is all rosy _money ,fast cars and women ” This statement clearly brings out how oppressive rich men can be towards women. It also brings out an element of cargo mentality.
Chidavaenzi dwells a bit on the subject of homosexuality and the suspicions that arise due to one’s late marriage .. Lincoln is 35 and is unmarried . Chiedza thinks that he is homosexual .
additionally, this chapter serves to provide a deeper insight of the character.. Jackie who appears to be janus faced . She can be loved at the same time loothed. Reasons are as follows
Why she can be loved:
#Jackie is confident and refers to herself as a born survivor p.g 13. The author uses biblical allusion to show how much Jackie suffered in her early years …”..playing Daniel in a dentist of lions “. Despite all this, Jackie conquered .
#Jackie does not neglect her sisters and family . Shelter is HIV positive and she understands that she is still human . She says that blood is blood no matter what and that is highly admirable . She still addresses shelter as “sisi” to show her deep respect for her . This therefore communicates a theme of love and the few existing loyal relationships in modern day society .
#Though Jackie got exposed to sexual relationships at a tender ager of 14, never did she fall pregnant, contract an ,STI or wrecked her future. Instead she just got better . She says ,” I never mixed business with pleasure “
The side we may loothe
Jackie to some extent is bad influence.
#she is against african cultural values and morals when it comes to marriage . She is not married but is sleeping with a man. Ben. In an African setup…conjugal rights are only meant for married couples.
To make it worse , Jackie says she and Ben enjoy each other thus making her a sex fanatic.
#furthermore ,she says to Chiedza to get off her moral high horse and that’s a clear condemnation to the African culture. But Chiedza is used to celebrate the African culture.she says she cannot live with a man unless married to him .
#Vimbiso, historically alluded to as mother theresa for her love and care may be a victim . Jackie gets her condoms. Isn’t it a clear indication to say it’s fine to have sex?!
Moving on, the readers get to know that There are six fatherless children at Jackie’s home . Sadly.,most children are just victims of circumstances especially reckless mothers. These children are denied certain priviledges like right to identity and fatherly love .
The above point leads us to the theme of corruption. Jackie says she had to use her connections to get the children birth certificates .surely , what chidavaenzi is trying to imply here is that you are nothing without connection in modern day society .
Poverty is yet another theme brought out in this chapter.p.g16..there are children playing home made plastic ball..paying no heed to the stench from the nearby pool if raw sewage (olfactory imagery).. this shows the extremes of poverty, ignorance and neglected health by people living in high density surburbs and how their lives are hopeless.
In an instant , Vimbiso comes out to say electricity has just gone out . Symbolically ,this may be an act of completely shunning the hope for the lives of children in Highfields. Their lives are shattered ..taking into consideration that Modisa ,a teenage girl passes by , pregnant!
Chidavaenzi addresses young girls to say that success is not about where one comes from but where they are going. Jackie says,” when I was growing here , I knew what I wanted”
Furthermore , readers get to know that women are still portrayed as sexual objects and used for entertainment. How Jackie and Ben go out for strip tease , how Jackie says that sex is the whole package in a relationship are the evidence
Shelter leaves home with lots of energy but comes back home hopeless. Symbolism is used through beautification and visual imagery to show how HIV has consumed her. On pg 18 it says she literally crawled back home with her measly luggage and sickly babies . HIV is refered to as the monster that had taken over shelter’s body.
there is also plight of doctors heard through doctor Anita masosa who complains about how doctors are being underpayed in Zimbabwe.
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