Nervous Conditions: Chapter Four Summary & Analysis

Tambu can barely describe her feelings as she gets into Babamukuru's car. She feels as though she has everything laid out before her and needs only to care about Mainini and to show her sisters that they too can escape circumstances and do well. Tambu expects to find a well-kept version of herself at the mission, one who doesn't have to deal with smoky kitchens or trips to Nyamarira for water. She believes that she'll develop in such a way as to make Babamukuru proud, which she believes is the best way.

Tambu remembers her first car ride to sell her corn and thinks about what life will be like at the mission. She wonders if she'll sleep with Nyasha or with Anna, Maiguru's house girl. Tambu is uncomfortable with the possibility of sleeping with Nyasha, as Nyasha is morose, and Tambu disapproves of her. She thinks that Nyasha has no right to be so unhappy and ungrateful. Regardless, Tambu believes her blankets will be fluffy, and she won't have chores before school. Her books will live on a bookcase, her clothes will stay clean, and she'll have access to a tub.

Despite having heard stories about the grandness of Babamukuru's house, Tambu is still shocked when they turn up the drive. She thinks of her own home as being grand, as it has a living room, windows, and two bedrooms. Babamukuru's house is so large, though, that Tambu doesn't recognize it as a house. It's white, which Tambu later learns from Nyasha is because early settlers believed that the paint kept houses cooler. In the surrounding town, missionaries live in other white and colorful houses, while educated Africans live in unpainted brick buildings.

Tambu's spirits begin to fall when she notices a smaller house by the grand one; she fears she won't get to live in the big house. Then, she discovers that the second "house" is a garage for the cars. This is disturbing for Tambu, who fears that Babamukuru is wealthier and more educated than she thought was possible. She begins to feel depressed. She reasons that she's only here because Nhamo died and because Babamukuru is a kindhearted relative, and decides that she's too provincial to live here anyway.

Tambu descends into self-pity and then worries about it, but nothing can lift her spirits. Then, as she follows Babamukuru to the house, two huge dogs appear out of nowhere and bark. Tambu yelps as Anna comes around the corner of the house, explaining that the dogs are tied. She shows Tambu into the back door, and Nyasha immediately jumps on Tambu with hugs and kisses. Tambu is surprised at this enthusiasm and listens to Nyasha talk about the cake she's baking for Chido. As she does, Tambu inspects the kitchen.

Though Tambu thinks at the time that the kitchen is grand, Tambu the narrator explains that the kitchen betrayed that Babamukuru and Maiguru were on a budget. The linoleum was old, the stove had only three plates, and a pane of glass in a window was missing. The paint wasn't coordinated, and the sink was dull. Later, Tambu discovered that this was because Maiguru likely couldn't afford a gentle cleaner that would keep the sink brilliant.

Anna shows Tambu to the living room to wait for Maiguru, who is resting. Tambu hopes Maiguru isn't ill and sits on a sofa. Tambu takes in the glamour of the room, which far surpasses both the kitchen and the dining room. She thinks about the pretty china cups she saw in the dining room and hopes she'll never have to use them. Later, she's thrilled to discover that they have that effect on everyone.

Overwhelmed, Tambu tries to keep herself from getting distracted like Nhamo did. She tries to ignore the glamour and instead, thinks of Mainini and her sisters. Tambu begins to judge Nhamo less harshly, as she sees how the grandness seduced him.

Tambu the narrator says that the situation was far more dangerous than the reader might imagine; the true issue was that she viewed Babamukuru as a god. Because Babamukuru was a god to her, his house was heaven, and Tambu was therefore at risk of forgetting how everyone else lives. She believed the lack of dirt was proof that the house was heaven, but knows now that even that was an illusion: the buses outside left a thin layer of dirt over everything.

Tambu jumps when she hears a shrill siren go off. She stands up and looks out the window and watches students stroll around outside. Anna explains that it's the school bell. Maiguru appears and greets Tambu strangely with a high-five. Tambu sinks to her knees and greets Maiguru respectfully, but Maiguru asks her to sit on a chair so they can have tea. Anna brings in the tea, and Tambu smiles at the tea sieve. Maiguru explains what it is and says the tea wouldn't be drinkable without it, but Tambu thinks it's just interesting. Tambu struggles to decide what to eat, as she's never had so much choice in sugary treats. Before this, she'd only had cake at Christmas and Easter when Babamukuru brought cake. Maiguru invites Tambu to eat as much as she likes.

Tambu takes a small biscuit, which seems to worry Maiguru. She offers sodas and Tambu tries to reassure her by taking a gulp of tea, but is surprised that the tea is so hot. Nyasha bursts into the living room and offers a simple "hello" when Maiguru tells her to greet Tambu. Nyasha explains she already greeted Tambu and then leaves to clean up. Tambu finds Nyasha's behavior rude and embarrassing.

Maiguru gives a little laugh and says that Chido and Nyasha are too anglicized and are struggling to learn how to act at home. She explains that they're trying to teach the children proper manners, but it's taking time. Finally, Maiguru leads Tambu into the hall and knocks on a door before opening it. Nyasha is inside on one of the two beds, engrossed in a novel. After a minute, Maiguru asks what Nyasha is reading. Nyasha lifts her book, and Maiguru insists it's inappropriate.

They argue for a moment, and then Nyasha pointedly ignores Maiguru. Maiguru motions to the other bed and tells Tambu that she'll sleep there. Tambu is worried. Part of her feels intrigued by Nyasha, but the other believes that Nyasha isn't good for her. Tambu fears that Nyasha will ruin her life plan. As Tambu's anxiety ramps up, she blames it on Nyasha's rudeness. Maiguru shows Tambu her clothes and toiletries. Tambu is especially taken with the two casual dresses and the underwear. Leaving the room, Maiguru asks Nyasha to help Tambu get settled.