Master Harold Case

‘Coming of Age’

In the novel Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga, the main character and protagonist, Tambudzai, is eager to get a white education without losing her traditions and native tongue, Shona. However this becomes evidently more difficult than she would expect, and greatly affect her coming of age and many of other the female characters in the novel. I will begin by problematizing Dangarembga’s title, showing its limitations and a new title would be more effective more effective to novel; then I will prove why the title ‘Coming of Age’ would be a more suitable title.

The title Nervous Conditions only indicates that there are many conditions that are unsettling in characters, she limits the readers to note that each character develops and matures throughout the novel despite and with these nervous conditions

‘Coming of Age’ is more effective because young Tambu and Nyasha experience many adventures and inner confusion in their growth and development. The characters come to terms with the reality of cruelty in the world with death, violence, racism, hatred and discrimination, while dealing with family, friends, and society’s morals and traditions. In the novel the Tambu, Nysha and even Nhamo are noticed and how being western-educated changes their relationships and perception of their traditional roles as women and thus their way of thinking which is an indication of maturity. All the women in the novel experience gender discrimination from their men; Tambu is educated only because her only brother, Nhamo, dies and Nyasha is educated only because she had the opportunity to leave to a different country where it differs to the limited education in Zimbabwe

Tambu believes receiving an education will allow her to escape her condition and finds every possible way to receive one. When she is young and still ignorant she plants her own seeds to grow plants to raise money for an