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Chapter 19
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Girl with the Louding Voice, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Education, Empowerment, and Self-Worth
Gender Inequality and Solidarity
Wealth, Poverty, and Choice
Survival
Summary
Analysis
Adunni is terrified that Papa will find her. Papa begins to shake the door, demanding them to open it. Iya gestures behind the mattress at a second door that leads to the bathroom. Adunni steps through the door, and Iya opens the door for Papa. Adunni walks down a narrow hallway to the bathroom, and the smell makes her want to vomit. Adunni hides in the bathroom as Papa interrogates Iya.
The foul smell of Iya’s bathroom implies that she’s just as poor as Adunni, as she seems to be lacking basic sanitation and amenities. Nevertheless, she’s willing to risk everything to help Adunni escape capture.
Themes
Iya refuses to help Papa. Papa notices the black nylon bag on the floor, which he recognizes as Adunni’s. He instructs Kayus, who has accompanied him here, to look for Adunni behind the second door. Kayus quickly finds Adunni in the bathroom but lies and tells Papa that Adunni has escaped through an open window. Papa order Kayus to leave; they will return to Morufu and the village chief, who are waiting outside. Adunni and Kayus stare at one another. Tears fill Kayus’s eyes, but Adunni also detects a faint “sad smile” on her brother’s face. The siblings convey with their eyes a silent final goodbye. Kayus leaves to rejoin Papa, and Adunni remains in the bathroom for a long time.
Kayus stands out as a male character who remains loyal to his sister, even at the risk of disrespecting Papa or going against the social norms that dictate Morufu’s right to see the return of his wife (whom he regards as his property). Kayus and Adunni’s tragic parting exemplifies the sacrifices Adunni is willing to make to survive—her brother is very close to her, and it’s possible she might never see him again.
Themes
