Touti's Decision

Chapter five brings about one of the novel's motifs, which is the cultural clash between the French and the Senegalese. We don't necessarily see two characters  arguing with one another on a certain issue, but we see how one of the characters, N'Deye Touti feels as though she is isolated in a culture that is alien to her. N’Deye’s conflict can be summarized in one phrase, ” N’Deye herself knew far more about europe than she did about Africa” (58). Yes N’Deye acts as if she is a, “…prisoner in the place that should have been her home” (58). And yes her intellect and standards of marriage do not directly correlate with those of her peers. But It is important to stress that despite these thoughts that she has, N’Deye seems to hold Africa dear in her heart. This is exhibited by her strange relationship with Bakayoko that subconsciously strengthens her hidden love for Africa. Bakayoko advocates a message of european resistance, but most importantly a message of accepting the African culture, and N’Deye seems to accept this message when she says to Beaugosse, ” Have you noticed that in the whole time we have been talking we haven’t spoken a single word in Oulof?” (63) I think that N’Deye's two relationships in the story each symbolize a part of her, which makes her decision a bit more difficult. She knows that in her decision on which partner to choose, she will ultimately decide which part of her personality is more prominent, leaving the other side of her in the dust.