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    Changes Analysis

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    Isaac

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Changes Analysis

    Uploaded by

    Isaac
    3 views2 pages

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    3 views2 pages

    Changes Analysis

    Uploaded by

    Isaac

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    You are on page 1of 2

    Discuss Mood, Tone, Atmosphere, Symbolism and Point of View in Ama Ata

    Aidoo’s Changes

    The mood in Changes often fluctuations between frustration, tension and


    contemplation. The struggles of married African women evoked the sense of
    dissatisfaction as they attempt to oppose the pressure society imposes on
    them. There is also a mood of melancholy as women face the consequences
    of their choices and actions. At times, the novel also introduces moments of
    hope and introspection, particularly when Esi contemplates her sense of
    identity and her desire for autonomy.

    Ama Ata Aidoo’s Tone in changes was critical and direct by focusing on the
    challenges of a working married woman who is in a dilemma between
    societal expectations and her own feelings and social behaviour. There is the
    use of conversational tones and irony when marriage is addressed and the
    constrains it poses on African women. At some points, her tone becomes
    serious when the issues of domestic abuse and emotional distress come into
    light which urges to challenge the traditional way of marriage and love by
    highlighting its imperfections in our current society.

    The atmosphere of the growing urban Ghana setting blends traditionalism


    with modernity. The characters are constantly trying to break free from the
    societal norms and navigating their roles in a rapidly changing setting. Aidoo
    captures the vibrant, yet conflicted, atmosphere of Accra, where Western
    ideals of independence clash with traditional African values.

    Symbolism is used in various forms throughout the text highlighting the


    themes of gender, freedom and societal expectations in the context of
    relationships and marriage in Ghana. Symbols include:

    - The car: It represents her independence and modernity as she is able


    to drive freely in an object which is mostly associated with the male
    gender and the fact that women are expected to depend on men for
    mobility and financial support. Esi’s car represents her desire for
    autonomy in all aspects of her life and her need for space and
    freedom.
    - Marriage: In Changes, this represents the societal expectations
    imposed on women as traditionally, it is portrayed as a constricting
    institution for women like Esi. Esi’s decision to leave her traditional
    marriage and enter a polygamous marriage with Ali also symbolizes
    the compromises women are forced to make to break free from societal
    norms.

    A third person omniscient point of view in used in Changes which allows the
    narrator/author to delve into the thoughts and motivations of the characters
    in the prose text. This narrative technique is crucial for exploring the
    complex emotional landscape of the novel and for providing insights into the
    characters' inner conflicts.

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