Anowa Phase Two

Phase Two of Anowa seems to be centered on defining the different types of relationships occurring at this place (Ghana) and in this time (late 1800s?). The-mouth-that-eats-salt-and-pepper introduce the point of view that in a sense shows the classic opinions of the relationship that Anowa and Kofi Ako have. This seems to be another example of that resentment of westernized advancements that we have seen so much in our readings of other novels so far this year. Anowa and Kofi Ako make it appear as though they are one of the only couples in their culture that practice monogamy, and that this concept is very controversial. Kofi Ako is completely in favor of remaining this way, claiming feelings that are similar to those of love today. However, Anowa comes off as opposed to monogamy, and keeps recommending that Kofi Ako marries several more women. This relationship, therefore does not really give us a sense of what a typical relationship would have been in this particular setting.
Badua and Osam have something that appears to be closer to a classic relationship of the time, but it is still not completely clear because the old woman and old man don't offer much of an opinion on their relationship. Therefore, we can only truly assume the typical relationship of the setting through the old woman and old man's thoughts, opinions, and proverbs. My favorite line of this phase was when the Old Woman said "As the sourest yam / Is better than the sweetest guava, / The dumbest man is / Always better than a woman. / Or he thinks he is!" This quotation, not said until some of the very last lines of the phase, clearly sums up the masculine ideas that were currently typical. It shows that no matter what, every single man will be above any given women. No matter how hard a woman works, or how little a man does, there will always exist a clear and unmistakable divide between the two.