Courage and Cowardice

A range of courageous and cowardly characters populate this novel. Sister Africa, Tinawo, Linda, and Shiri’s husband are obviously courageous; they fight for their dignity and their nation, and put their body into the fight. Meanwhile, characters like Mukoma Byron and Shiri’s cousin Rudo are cowardly because they allow others to define them. In the midst of these characters, Shiri is also in the middle. She positions herself as an observer of her friends and family members, neither courageous nor cowardly.

Sister Africa, Tinawo, Linda, and Shiri’s husband are all courageous because they sacrifice their time, their bodies, and their safety for the good of their country. Sister Africa sacrifices her family in order to pursue her dreams of African unification and progress; she even refuses to tell Baba Africa that he is her father. Tinawo risks her life and safety...