“is in consonance with the writer’s vision when he/she moves through enormous materials to organize and orchestrate in order to open a window to prospective horizons as his/her art reflects reality. And conclusively, the writer caves for the deepening of democratic governance in Nigeria to ensure that the use of power in public affairs gives premium to human development and political accountability to argue for good governance as essentially, democratic governance.” (Olowonmi, 2008, p.56)
Coming back to So Long a Letter, having been born into a household that follows the Muslim faith, Ramatoulaye’s life as a widow is rather bleak. The irony lies in the fact that although Ramatoulaye was technically still married to her husband Modow, she was abandoned by him (along with their 12 children) in favor of the younger woman Binetou. The life of the addressee of the letter, Aissatou, is not too different. She divorced her ex-husband Mawdo because she couldn’t stand the idea of his polygamy. But she boldly faces up to the challenge of single-parenthood and brings up her four children on her own. The other key character in the novel is the other Aissatou, the daughter of Ramatoulaye, named after her best friend. The life of this young girl takes a precarious route as she becomes pregnant as a teenager. There are other minor characters in the book who support the basic narrative surrounding the lives of these three women. (Ba-Curry et.al, 2008, p.112)
It is evident that Mariama Ba highlights key issues facing Senegalese women. These include patriarchal oppression, fundamentalist religious beliefs, lack of options like abortion, teenage pregnancy, single parenthood, etc. But amid all these negative conditions, there’s a beacon of hope as well. For example, both Ramatoulaye and Aissatou are well educated and able to support their children through their own industry. Thus Ba is implying that through education and exposure to the broader world, women of Africa can emancipate themselves. This assessment is borne out by facts and statistics as well:
“Conditions have worsened for most women in Africa, and indeed, in the entire Third World. At the same time, women have begun to receive specific attention from policy-makers and researchers, national and international. Women’s bureau and women’s organizations have been created in nearly every African independent nation. One or two women have been appointed Cabinet-level Ministers and others have made it to top positions in the civil service and in professions. For these women, conditions have definitely improved.” (Mbilinyi, 1985, p.72)
Everything Good Will Come differs from So Long a Letter in the way it brings forth the transforming psychology of Enitan. The mental and social adjustments that Enitan makes as she blooms from adolescence into adulthood can also be interpreted allegorically. In other words, in many ways the coming of age of Enitan is symbolic of Nigeria’s independence from colonial masters. But as the state of independence was misused and abused in the civil and political realms, so does the life of Enitan reflect these disappointments. For example, Enitan was brought up in a dysfunctional family environment, under the shadow of religious superstition and parental irresponsibility. Even as she tries to rebel her way out of this stifling environment, the will of her parents prove too powerful to her own. Thus she eventually conforms to their aspirations for her, leading her to go overseas for higher studies. Enitan believes that by becoming a lawyer, she could contribute to the uplift of her society. Talking in a mature voice, she notes “When I died I would be called to give account of my time here on earth. What a pity if I said I cooked and cleaned.” (Atta, 2004, p.301)