The book Such a Long Letter by Mariama Ba was published in 1979 in Senegal. This is an autobiographical novel that talks about women in the western part of African society. This essay will explain what the novel is about and how it portrays the image of Africa. The main characters of the novel will also be explained. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay First, the topic of the novel is the status of women in West African culture. So Long a Letter, Mariama Bâ's first novel, is actually composed as one long letter. Throughout the book there are 3 main characters. The first character is Ramatoulaye, she is the narrator of So Long a Letter. The book is both his diary and a long letter to his partner Aissatou. Ramatoulaye has a place with the age that grew up under French provincial routine and became an adult just as Senegal was realizing its freedom. The second character is Aissatou. Aissatou is Ramatoulaye's old and beloved companion and the recipient of his letter. He comes from a somewhat poor family, his father is a goldsmith. The last character is called Modou. Modou is related to Ramatoulaye, he is her husband. People consider him the organizer of the union. Secondly, So Long a Letter is composed as a long letter from the main character Ramatoulaye Fall to his dearest companion Aissatou following the unexpected passing away of Ramatoulaye's better half, Modou, due to an unexpected heart attack. The letter is composed while Ramatoulaye participates in the 'iddah, a multi-month, multi-day mourning procedure that widows in the Senegalese Muslim culture must pursue. Through the letter Ramatoulaye describes the feelings that overwhelmed her in the first days after the death of her better half and talks in depth about how she lost her life. She then talks about the life she lived with her significant other, opening up to when Modou cheated on her by taking a second spouse without her insight after 30 years of marriage. Ramatoulaye explains to Aissatou how she sincerely handled this betrayal and how she has developed at every opportunity in her life. This is mainly what the book is about. In So Long a Letter, the late Mariama Bâ offers a poignant description of the struggle between women in her local country, Senegal, at the beginning of autonomy. Neither a manual of questions nor exhortations, Bâ investigates the perplexing challenges that two Muslim women face as they grapple with their spouses' second relationship. In the book Mariama Bâ explains all the challenges that women have had to face in Senegal. “This is the moment every Senegalese woman dreads, the moment she sacrifices her possessions as a gift to her in-laws; and, worse still, beyond what she possesses she gives up her personality" this quote was taken from chapter 2 page 21. What Mariama Bâ tries to tell with this quote is that women give up their personality when they follow specific procedures . If I had the chance to change anything in the novel, I would change the concept from focusing only on women to focusing on men and women. I would change it because at that time in Senegal it wasn't just women who faced many challenges, there were also men who had problems. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get Custom Essay What makes So Long a Letter great is not only its courageous and heartfelt testimony to the ordeal of polygamy for women, but also its clearly explained message calling for women to be independent. Bâ through Ramatoulaye reveals strength 2019.