Zenzele: A Letter to for My Daughter
Much like any other female African autobiographical writers, Maraire writes her book in a state that is neither directly points to her experiences nor do not dismiss this idea. Thus the genre is more specifically known as, in the words of Morgan (1991 as cited in Levey, Magwanda and Titlestad, 2000), an “autobiographical fiction”. These books are written by women in search of self-actualization and to dispel the image male writers have implanted in the minds of readers about African. They are only viewed as weak and without a mind of their own, their greatest achievements being homemakers. The theme of family arises when Zenzele to her daughter about the meaning of being an African woman. Her mother says that she can make it to be her own woman in search of an identity and self-realization and actualization but all the same she recounts what is expected of her, “wood under your arms, and a baby on your back.” (Maraire, 1996:41). She is also seen encouraging her daughter to get married to a steady man and have children, when she is ready to of her own accord.
On the theme of self-efficiency, she vehemently encourages her daughter albeit within the confines of religion that, "As far as I am concerned, God helps those who help themselves." (Maraire, 1996: 173). She tries to teach her daughter that one needs not to rely on others one has to find his/her own way. This theme is especially important for African women who for the longest times have had to sacrifice their dreams for their malel peers including education and careers. Finally, there is the theme of personal dignity where she advises her daughter to avoid the temptations of men, likening them to the “blazing fires of the bush,” (Maraire, 1996: 113). The theme also links with the importance of family by contrasting the type of man her daughter should marry and raise a family, a man who steadies her hands.
References
Levy, D., Magwanda, K., and Titlestad, M. (2000). African Encounters. Ed. Levey, D. University of South Africa: Pretoria.
Maraire, J, N. (1996). Zinzele: A letter for my daughter. Crown Publishers: New York.
