세네갈의 사회현실과 문학 -‘마리아마 바’(Mariama Ba)의 소설 ‘아주 긴 편지’를 중심으로-

Abstract

In the 2002 ZIMBABWE International Book Fair, the list of the 100 best African books in the 20th century was announced. Mariama Bâ's novel, ‘So Long a Letter’ was ranked as one of the top twelve best books throughout the 20th century in the whole African Continent. The novel written in French in 1979 won the first Noma Award of Publishing in Africa and were translated in more than 12 other languages. In that regard, the Book Fair was introduced at first and then Mariama Bâ's novel, ‘So Long a Letter’ was analyzed. This novel is filled with descriptions of the culture clash apparent in 1970s' Senegal. The frustration from the fate of African women is well portrayed. In this novel, the narrative is told through just one very long letter from the protagonist 'Ramatoulaye' to her friend. The letter works almost as a diary. She records both her feelings and several events that take place around her in the modern Senegal society. She reflects on the past and then looks forward to the future. This novel seriously reflects on the African and Islamic traditions, especially the polygamous marriages. Many subjects on the west African society are found in this novel, such as family, marriage, motherhood, racial discrimination, education as well as human rights. Understanding the modern African social issues clearly, Mariama Bâ delivers the very effective messages on the development of the African society through her own unique way of story telling. The author not only raises several issues of the modern African society in this novel, but also shows deep perspectives on the African women's rights. The importance of expanding educations for African women and improving their social status is well communicated.