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Chapter 55
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 finds Kofi in the kitchen and excitedly tells him about winning the scholarship. Kofi drops the dough he is kneading to congratulate and embrace Adunni. He tells her to reach out anytime she is back in town to visit Ms. Tia. Kofi changes the subject to ask Adunni what happened with Rebecca’s letter. Adunni tells him that Big Madam destroyed the letter, and they share a moment of sadness. Adunni leaves Kofi and runs to the main house. Before she returns to Big Madam and Ms. Tia, she walks past the library to say “thank you” to The Book of Nigerian Facts, the Collins, and all the other books in which she found solace.
Even though Adunni has resolved Rebecca’s story on a symbolic level, Big Madam’s destruction of the letter all but ensures that Big Daddy will never be brought to justice for manipulating Rebecca and causing the attempted miscarriage. Adunni thanks the books for enriching her world and allowing her to survive an otherwise unbearable existence at Big Madam’s house.
Themes
Finally, Adunni returns to Ms. Tia and Big Madam. Big Madam wishes Adunni good luck but covertly warns her not to mention Rebecca’s letter to anyone. Adunni leaves with Ms. Tia and walks out of Big Madam’s house for the last time. Ms. Tia asks Adunni what she and Big Madam talked about privately, and Adunni tells her she will fill her in on everything later that night.
It's not totally clear why Big Madam wants Rebecca’s letter to remain secret—it could be that she doesn’t want her own role in Rebecca’s disappearance to come to light, and possible that she plans to forgive Big Daddy and wants to protect him from legal action.
Themes
Ms. Tia updates Adunni on her own struggles: she and the doctor have decided to pursue adoption. She reiterates her earlier sentiment of optimism, asking Adunni to agree with her that “tomorrow will be better than today.” Adunni pauses for a moment before answering Ms. Tia. She feels very hopeful today—but she also imagines a future where she can return to Ikati and see her family, where she will be a teacher and her voice will be heard, and where she can help out her family and her village. Adunni considers all of these things and finally nods her head at Ms. Tia, inwardly affirming all the prospects the future will hold.
The Dadas’ social status gives them the freedom to pursue other options besides biological children. Before, Adunni’s optimism was mostly a coping mechanism: she had to stay strong if she wanted to survive. Now, however, as she leaves behind a life of indentured servitude, abuse, and suffering to pursue the education she’s always dreamed of, the idea that “tomorrow will be better than today” is a real possibility.
Themes
Adunni and Ms. Tia begin their walk to the Dada house, and Adunni passes effortlessly through the iron gates of Big Madam’s house that she used to clean daily. When they reach Ms. Tia’s compound, Adunni spots the sunlight glistening on the house’s mirror-like solar panels, as though it is saying to her “Adunni, welcome to your new free.”
Leaving behind Big Madam’s house symbolizes Adunni’s escape from the sexist and classist social norms that have oppressed her during her time there. That Adunni leaves Big Madam’s house in the company of Ms. Tia, her mentor, positions female friendship and solidarity as an integral part of Adunni’s path toward freedom.
Themes
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