Chapter 1 Analysis

The chapter begins by introducing the setting of the novel which is colonial Rhodesia. As Rutendo goes home from school, she thinks of all the beautiful things that are waiting for her at home. However, she overhears talk about how the Zhanda youth are beating people. The tone of the chapter therefore moves from light to dark in the first few paragraphs. Her home has changed because of colonialism. The tension in the chapter further worsens when Rutendo learns that her grandfather’s homestead is guarded and she must approach cautiously. She therefore has to contend with the fear of the soldiers at her home and the likelihood of meeting the Zhanda on the street.

The chapter also draws to attention the conflicting perspectives of the book’s main characters. Rutendo feels like a stranger in her own home because of the presence of the white soldiers. Barry, on the other hand, is a white soldier in the Rhodesian army who is drawn to a black girl, something that is taboo to his job and his race.

The chapter uses symbolism to define the inequalities existing between the characters. The presence of the book Animal Farm is symbolic. This is because the book tackles classic themes that include inequality, abuse of power, language, totalitarianism, and class systems. Rutendo and Barry exist in a world where power has deemed them separate from each other, and where their races serve as the reason for the unequal class differences. The use of Animal Farm in the chapter therefore serves to highlight the class differences between the two main characters. The racial divide in the chapter is further heightened by the story of Ngonya and Jan, two lovers, one black and the other white, and their failure to have a peaceful relationship because of class differences.

Chapter 2 Analysis

One of the mainstays of the chapter is patriarchy as detailed in Ngonya’s story. On the one hand, Ngonya’s misdeeds are blamed on her mother. Ngonya is also blamed for the cattle stolen by Jan. On the other hand, because of patriarchy, Jan and Ngonya’s father are exonerated from any wrongdoing. Patriarchy thus makes it easy for the women in the story to be scapegoated.

In addition, families see their daughters as wealth-bearers. Ngonya’s parents lament her pregnancy by a white man because it means that they will not receive any lobola. They view Ngonya’s pregnancy as tragic because it is a loss for them and they will not be receiving any cows. When Ngonya gets married to Mudzingi and her family receives twenty head of cattle from her new husband, Ngonya’s father is excited as he feels that his losses have been repaid.

The Chief also brings out the harsh side of patriarchy. Despite the title of the book being Rutendo: The Chief’s Granddaughter, in Rutendo’s encounters with the chief, the reader realises that the two do not have any relationship. Instead, the chief does not know who she is and whose daughter she is amongst his sons. There is thus a dismissal of women as people who are not worth knowing that is then highlighted. This portrays that patriarchy does not value women that much.

Chapter 3 Analysis

Gender roles play a significant part in the chapter. At the beginning of the chapter, the girls in Rutendo’s compound carry out the chores that are often carried out by men in the village, and this includes milking cows. This highlights that women too can carry out roles that have traditionally been set aside for men. There is thus the social construction of gender roles. Both men and women are capable of carrying out the same roles in society.

Conflict is also central to the chapter because of the love Barry declares he has for Rutendo. Rutendo knows how difficult the relationship between the two of them will be because of the racial divide. However, she also understands that what she feels for him is unique and she is afraid of exploring it. Barry’s marital status further worsens the conflict. A relationship between the two of them will also be sinning his religion.

Chapter 4 Analysis

This is the first chapter of the book that is mostly dedicated to the political environment of the community. The chapter analyses the existing tensions between white and black people. This tension is escalated when the youth group meeting in Mr Chimombe’s shop is interrupted by Mr John who is looking for Peter Stuyvesant’s cigarettes. Even though he is one white man in a room full of black people, he is not afraid of the blacks. Instead, his presence and the gun he carries cow them to silence. Mr John also knows that he has more power than them and this adds to his arrogance.

Despite the black-on-white hate and conflict and vice versa, there is also black-on-black hate which is fuelled by colonialism. Rutendo faces the brunt of having white people in her yard when a young black man says, “There are some people we should thrash to death if we got a chance”, highlighting the power of colonialism in sowing seeds of division amongst people. In addition, the youth group is also not just fighting for liberation. It is also wreaking havoc in the community by stealing fowls from villagers and taking their money. This has made it difficult for the youth group to establish cordial relationships within the community. This black-on-black hate is also seen through women who do not feel safe with their boyfriends who may rape them.

The community views education as a gateway to success, and this presents conflict. Educated people are said to have better chances of making it after independence. Again this proves to be a source of conflict between those who are educated and those who are not educated. Rutendo thus fails to relate to the other youths in her village because she is more educated than them.

However, love remains one of the chapter’s overarching themes and source of conflict. Rutendo outwardly denies being in a relationship with Barry, yet inwardly she thinks about him. Not having someone to talk about the details of the relationship with also makes it worse for Rutendo. Love is also a source of conflict for the other girls in the village. Even though they love their boyfriends, spending time with the boyfriends can lead to rape, making relationships between men and women in the chapter difficult.

Chapter 5 Analysis

This chapter examines conflict within characters, between characters, and between the characters and the outside world. Her feelings for Barry present conflict for Rutendo. While on the one hand, she is aware that Barry is white, married, and a soldier from the opposite camp, she knows she deeply cares about the man. As much as she tries to avoid him, he is physically around. Even in his absence, he is all she thinks of.

Barry and Rutendo also face conflict especially when Barry asks her if she is part of the youth group that is terrorizing villagers. They are also unable to meet and talk as much as they want to because of the outside environment.

Rutendo and her mother also conflict when Rutendo refuses to cook because she has period pains. Her mother sees this as a sign of feminine weakness.

The outside environment also conflicts with the characters. Rutendo is aware that she cannot have a relationship with the white man because it will be considered an abomination. In addition, even though she also works hard, Rutendo’s efforts are repeatedly seen as nothing because she is a woman. The environment and culture also expect women to work regardless of circumstances and this is seen when Rutendo goes to plough, even though she is not feeling too good. This highlights a lack of regard for illness within the community.

Chapter 6 Analysis

Conflict is central to the chapter, mainly due to the racial tensions in the story and the characterization of some characters. On one hand, Rutendo’s acknowledgment of her love for Barry worsens the conflict. However, she knows that the relationship will not only be taboo to her family but to the Rhodesian government too. Rutendo also recognises how much she has fallen for Barry, but how impossible the relationship between the two of them will be like.

On the other hand, there is also a symbolic conflict between Barry and the young headmaster. Both are dressed well, can speak English, and are revered within the community because of the role one has as a soldier who wields a gun, and the other as a leader of a school, and inadvertently a leader within the community. The juxtaposition of both characters helps to highlight that black people too are important figures within the community. In addition, when both men go to help Rutendo after she is injured, there is a tone that she can be taken care of by both of them.

Chapter 7 Analysis

The chapter shifts from the love story and concentrates on the woman-to-woman relationships in the book. The chapter is also one of the most important because of the use of Ndavayava as the author’s voice. Written mainly in a series of questions and rhetoric questions, the chapter questions the logic of colonialism and the imposition of white people’s beliefs on black people. The chapter also wonders if there is a potential for black and white people to co-exist.

The use of the female voice through Ndavayava emphasises women’s roles in ending colonialism. It strengthens women who have hitherto been seen as weak in the face of colonialism and love. This is seen through Rutendo, who despite her apparent strength, has consistently fallen for Barry even when she knows that the relationship between the two of them is doomed and comes at a great personal risk for her.

From talking about environmentalism to education, religion, finance, and the healthcare system and how these have been impacted negatively by the white man, Ndavayava helps to bring a greater context to the story and makes this chapter the climax of the book.

Chapter 8 Analysis

This chapter introduces a new dynamic between Rutendo and Barry. Rather than focusing on the hardworking student teacher who is in a forbidden relationship with a white soldier, the story shifts to place Rutendo in the context of the country she lives in. This is because of Rutendo’s vehemence in wanting to go and train for the liberation of the country.

When Rutendo challenges John to show her the paper of the leaders of ZANU, her defiant nature is shown. She also challenges Barry by telling him that black people were able to look after themselves long before the white people came. She is also able to compartmentalise Barry’s actions as those of a man who is heartbroken from the failure of his marriage rather than the excited emotions of a man who is looking forward to being with the love of his life.

Mr Chimombe also plays a central role in the chapter by becoming the voice of reason and refusing to conform. When the youths are sceptical about including the girls in the war effort, Mr Chimombe tells them that everyone has a role to play in the liberation struggle. By refusing to back out of hosting meetings and not being fazed by the paper picked by John, Mr Chimombe also demonstrates defiance and fearlessness. This allows him to be one of the most fearless characters in the book.

Chapter 9 Analysis

Conflict is the central theme of the chapter. This is evidenced by Rutendo’s inner turmoil, the conflict between black and white, and the conflict that comes from a forbidden love. Rutendo is conflicted by a love affair that she cannot openly declare and which is shunned by the dictates of society. While in her heart she feels deeply for Barry, she cannot openly say or express it. Deciding whether or not to participate in the guerrilla struggle also exacerbates Rutendo’s inner conflict. As a woman, a student, and a lover, she has these as reasons she cannot participate and therefore perform her civic duty as a native of Rhodesia.

There is also conflict between black and white evidenced by the illicit affair between Rutendo and Barry. There are so many lines that they have to cross to be together. These include the racial divide and the enemy line. As they are on opposing sides of the war, they should not be in a relationship and this makes the conflict in the chapter worse.

Chapter 10 Analysis

This chapter’s major focus is on Rutendo’s relationship with the school. This allows the reader to step back from all the relationships she has at home to assess how she relates with others. The themes at the centre of the chapter include gender, gender roles, and gender expectations. Despite society looking down on women, Rutendo shows intellectual and physical strength. She gets the best grades in class; she also fights the boys in her class. Gender expectations are thus reversed when she wins both fights. The chapter thus shatters stereotypes that surround women’s strength in society.

Conflict also continues to be at the centre of the chapter. Rutendo is still as conflicted about her relationship in the same manner as she was when she was still at home. She continues to keep the relationship a secret. Even when she tells her best friend about it, a sense of guilt still follows the relationship.

Chapter 11 Analysis

Conflict is the recurring theme of this chapter. The chapter focuses on Rutendo being back at school. It also delves into her obsession with her education, her love for Barry, her patriotic drive to go into the bush, and the offer to join the nunnery. The chapter also helps in highlighting Rutendo’s resoluteness and her decision to go and fight the war. Whereas before she was concerned about her education, there is much certainty in her response to Mr Chimombe when she encourages him to put down her name for her country. This therefore highlights Rutendo’s patriotic stance.

The chapter also brings to the fore the difficulties of the love she feels for Barry. It also highlights how her other suitors, including the headmaster and Patrick, are affected by her affection for Barry. However, despite wanting to be with Barry, she is aware of how he too is patriotic. She knows that he too will fight for his home country, and is aware of how he is sacrificing his life and youth to fight on the enemy’s side in the guerrilla war.

Chapter 12 Analysis

The chapter begins with tension as Rutendo finds herself dreaming of guarding a church that Patrick leads. This conflict and tension continues throughout the chapter and thus act as a precursor to the book’s ending. A chance meeting between two lovers which is supposed to end positively ends up being disrupted by a big black snake. The presence of the snake represents the divide between Barry and Rutendo. It also represents how difficult it will be for them to be together.

Race and colonialism are also central to the chapter. These are further reinforced by the characterisation of the two protagonists who are legally forbidden from being together. For instance, Barry offers Rutendo his skin so she can be comfortable walking in Salisbury. This highlights that even while they are together in the relationship, there is one skin colour that is superior to the other. Rutendo is also filled with both love and hate after the political discussion with Barry and this highlights the existence of a chasm between the two of them.

Chapter 13 Analysis

The final chapter resolves the conflict that has been a large part of the book. This chapter brings a melancholic end to the difficult relationship between Barry and Rutendo. This is heightened by the contrast between the beginning of the chapter and the end of the chapter, where at the beginning the two lovers are promising each other the future, and at the end of the chapter when Rutendo has a new name which means determination and is now being addressed as Comrade Shungu.  In addition, the lack of interaction between the main characters also helps in giving the chapter a more melancholic tone.

Through the use of a sombre tone throughout the chapter, the writer works to highlight the conflict in Rutendo’s mind and whether to choose her nation or her lover. When in the end Rutendo chooses her country, it comes from both a deeper conviction but also a heartbroken soul.

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