Tendai Huchu, The Best Hairdresser in Harare, African literature, multicultural novel, sociological reflection, childhood to adulthood transition, African culture, identity, cultural heritage, Zimbabwean literature, coming of age
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Abstract
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Abstract
Discover the sociological reflection in this excerpt from The Best Hairdresser in Harare, a multicultural novel by Tendai Huchu, exploring themes of identity, culture, and transition from childhood to adulthood.
Extract
[...] That is to say that women, often represented as superficial, aspire to be something else. They are ultimately legitimized. As for the masculine, its most arrogant traits are depicted to invite reflection: is it really in a position of strength? Finally, the last sociological reflection concerns the tension between childhood and adult life. Indeed, the universe of magic and the infantilized protagonist remind us that each of us goes through a transition. A transition that leads us to adult life, presented here as a necessity since the protagonist is faced with the fact: he has no other choice but to grow up and take on responsibilities. [...]
[...] The Best Hairdresser in Harare, Excerpt - Tendai Huchu (2014) - In what way does this excerpt present a strongly sociological reflection? Title: The Best Hairdresser in Harare Author: Tendai Huchu Date of publication: 06/02/2014 Publisher: Zoe Collection: Ecrits D'ailleurs Number of pages: 252 Extract studied: page 216 'it was the eve of my birthday' at p 223 'ask Michelle' This extract is from the book The best hairdresser in Harare written by Tendai Huchu. This is a novel that takes place in Zimbabwe. [...]
[...] The tension between the two universes is palpable: 'it was the first time in my adult life' (page 219). Therefore, the protagonist is aware of this transformation. The exclamation: 'of your new hair salon ' (Page 223) marks the passage between childhood and maturity, the character is faced with the fact, he has no other choice but to grow up, to mature. Therefore, this excerpt prThus, this excerpt presents a strong sociological reflection. First, around the African universe; then between the masculine and the feminine. [...]
[...] This is supported by a list on page 218: 'do not limit yourself ) Indian head'. This list of beauty care, brings the woman closer to aesthetics and therefore to artifice. She is therefore reduced to physical vocations, which is confirmed with the sentence: 'the very feminine atmosphere of a hair salon' (page 218) which implies that the universe of aesthetics and beauty is only that of women. The woman is therefore perceived as a superficial being. The masculine, situation of superiority In the face of the artificial woman, there is the masculine. [...]
[...] We retain a notion of irony with Mr. 'it was on that day that I renounced my independence' (page 217). This implies that the man has lost his independence on the day he got married. Marriage is therefore perceived as a trap, a feminine whim that would break the independence of men. In addition, the masculine is represented as being the financial manager of the family. We suppose a moral superiority: 'just tell me how much it will cost' (page 218). [...]
