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Chapter 41
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: Muhammadu Buhari was head of the state of Nigeria from 1983–1985, a period defined by its “human rights abuses and restriction of press freedom.” Christmas passes. Over the holiday season, Big Madam and Big Daddy frequently go out for food and drinks with friends. Kofi visits family in Ghana, while Adunni stays at Big Madam’s to work and feels nostalgic for happy Christmases in Ikati village.
Some examples of the “human rights abuses and restriction of press freedom” that this fact references include arbitrary arrests and retroactive criminal laws. Since being elected president in 2015, Buhari’s administration has committed further human rights abuses, such as restricting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest. Adunni’s position as an indentured servant (and the remaining threat of being punished for Khadija’s death) prevents her from visiting home for the holidays.
Themes
Now, it’s the first working day of 2015. Big Madam needs Adunni’s help at the shop because Glory, the shopgirl, quit. As Abu drives them to the shop, Big Madam complains over the phone to her friend Caroline about the upcoming election. She worries that Buhari will pass a law that will negatively impact her fabric business. Big Madam notices Adunni listening to her call and hits her, complaining to Caroline about her “godforsaken idiot” housemaid. Adunni knows that “forsaken” means wasted or left behind, and her eyes begin to well up. However, she remembers what Ms. Tia told her earlier and reminds herself that she is worth something, that “tomorrow will be better than today,” and begins to feel better.
Big Madam’s complaints about the economic ramifications of Buhari’s election seem particularly materialistic and out of touch when they’re juxtaposed with the earlier mention of Buhari’s human rights abuses. Adunni’s growing vocabulary allows her to understand Big Madam’s cruel remark, but she keeps herself grounded with the help of Ms. Tia’s words, as well as her confident inner voice and sense of self-worth.
Themes
Eventually the car arrives at Big Madam’s store, which is white, brightly lit, and full of glass shelves piled high with beautiful fabrics. Big Madam sends Adunni to the storage room to bring back a bag of fabrics. When Adunni returns to the main room, Caroline is there, wearing tight jeans and a gold belly shirt. The fabrics that Big Madam sent Adunni to retrieve are for Caroline, who is making a fancy dress for a “special person” who is not her husband. Caroline haggles with Big Madam to lower the price of the fabric, but Big Madam refuses, trying to sell Caroline additional luxury fabrics, as well. Caroline sends Adunni to her car to pick up her purse from her own housemaid, Chisom.
This scene is full of displays of material wealth, from the impeccably clean shop lined with walls of beautiful, expensive fabrics to Caroline’s showy clothing. Caroline’s “special person” is her lover, whose identity she does not reveal to Big Madam. This seems strange, given that Big Madam and Caroline are so close. That Big Madam won’t lower the price of her fabrics for her friend shows that she is either a shrewd businesswoman or stingy—or, perhaps, that this stinginess contributes to her success.
Themes
Adunni arrives at Caroline’s Jeep. There, she finds Chisom chatting on a cell phone and eating jollof rice. Adunni observes that Chisom’s clothes are much nicer than her own. Chisom hands Adunni Caroline’s handbag and offers Adunni some rice when she notices how thin she is. According to Chisom, Rebecca always wanted food. Adunni’s ears perk up when she hears Rebecca’s name. Chisom goes on to mention that Rebecca was originally very thin but got bigger. Confused and curious, Adunni wants Chisom to elaborate, but she hears Big Madam calling for her to return with the bag and hurries back to the shop before Chisom can say more.
Chisom seems to have a much better quality of life than Adunni: she eats well, dresses well, and is allowed to talk openly on her cell phone. It seems as though Caroline cares more about her housemaid than Big Madam cares about hers. Chisom’s cryptic remark about Rebecca getting bigger right before she left Big Madam’s provides Adunni with another clue about Rebecca’s disappearance and reinvigorates her quest to uncover the truth about the missing housemaid.
Themes
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On the way home, Adunni compliments Big Madam’s shop, calling it “just like heaven” and praising the beautiful fabrics. Adunni commends Big Madam’s selling. Unexpectedly, Big Madam turns to Adunni and smiles. Laughing joyfully, she tells Adunni that she started from nothing and worked her way up to the top. She encourages Adunni to “rise above whatever life throws at [her].” Adunni feels that there is “something share between” herself and Big Madam, “like a embrace from an old friend.” Suddenly, though, the moment breaks; Big Madam calls Adunni an “idiot” and demands that she stop staring at her.
Even though Big Madam has been so cruel to her, Adunni encourages Big Madam, complimenting her on the success of her shop. This speaks to Adunni’s compassion and capacity for forgiveness. It also illustrates her commitment to lifting up other women: Adunni seems to recognize that Big Madam lives an unhappy life behind the shiny exterior of her successful business, and her experiences with other supportive women have taught her what an impact solidarity and compassion can have on a person who is suffering. The sincerity with which Big Madam responds to Adunni—however brief it may be—demonstrates that Big Madam has the capacity for intimacy and understanding, too, though she often chooses hostility over compassion.
Themes
