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Chapter 35
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
Fact: Nigerian senators make around $1.7 million per year. Big Madam returns from her trip and appears to be in a great mood—she’s even satisfied with how Adunni has taken care of the house while she’s been away. As she inspects the house, she tells Adunni that her son has a good job and her daughter Kayla is engaged to a man named Kunle, who is the son of Senator Kuti. Then, Big Madam settles down on the sofa and takes a phone call with a friend, bragging about her daughter’s marriage.
The fact that precedes this chapter underscores Nigeria’s wide wealth gap. It also gives some context for why Big Madam is so excited about Kayla’s engagement to the son of a senator. Despite the fact that Big Madam has risen above the constraints of gender inequality to become a successful businesswoman, she remains complicit in this oppressive system, as she seems to value Kayla’s engagement to a wealthy man above her daughter’s other accomplishments. Perhaps, though, she recognizes that it’s still much harder to succeed as an independent woman, and that wealth will help Kayla overcome some of these hurdles.
Themes
When Big Madam hangs up the phone, Adunni asks if she can have a lock installed on her door. This question catches Big Madam’s attention, and she immediately asks if Big Daddy bothered Adunni while she was gone. Adunni lies and says she wants to lock her door from a rat that was disturbing her.
Big Madam’s anxious response to Adunni’s request for a lock suggests that she has reason to be wary about Big Daddy—perhaps Big Daddy was preying on Rebecca, too. The fact that Big Madam doesn’t outright deny Adunni’s request for a lock suggests that she might have it within her to be compassionate and helpful to people like Adunni, who have so little power.
Themes
That evening, Adunni heads to Big Madam’s room to scratch her hair. As she approaches the bedroom door, she hears Big Madam and Big Daddy shouting at each other. Big Madam accuses Big Daddy of messing with Adunni. She accuses him of being unfaithful to her with young University students, lavishing these young women with gifts, and being unable to leave even their young house servants alone.
Hearing this argument confirms what Adunni already knows about Big Daddy’s likely intentions with her. It also confirms that Big Madam knows about Big Daddy’s inappropriate behavior with the young female staff and doesn’t do much to combat it. Knowing the extent of Big Daddy’s inappropriate behavior might also give Adunni insight into Rebecca’s disappearance—perhaps Big Daddy was involved in her sudden departure.
Themes
Big Madam begs Big Daddy to love her. She says that the children haven’t visited in months because of the way that Big Daddy treats her. Adunni hears a series of slaps behind the door. She worries that she caused this intense fight by asking Big Madam for a lock, and she fears that Big Madam will send her away because of the trouble she has caused. Afraid, she runs back to her room in the boys’ quarters.
The series of slaps Adunni hears coming from Big Madam’s room suggests that Big Daddy abuses Big Madam physically as well as mentally. Big Madam’s abusive marriage shows that money doesn’t absolve all of life’s issues.
Themes
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