Phase One

In Phase One of Anowa, Ama Ata Aidoo creates an extremely relatable array of characters. They are relatable to nearly everybody, because most people know of their bickering grandparents, their stubborn parents that seem to be out to get them, or, similar to Romeo and Juliet, they believe they have found "the one."
My first connection upon reading Phase One was to Romeo and Juliet. Anowa seems to think that she has found the perfect man (whether or not it is for the right reasons, we are yet to find out), but her parents forbid this love. The tale of a teenager finding the perfect one for them in high school is a tale as old as time, but reality rarely plays out in the same fashion. The case in which two high school sweethearts have a successful marriage is a rarity at best. Even so, many high schoolers still seem to be convinced that they will live happily ever after, just as Anowa thinks of her relationship with Kofi Ako.
Secondly, there exists the more parental side of the above mentioned situation. I am sure that, at some time or another, anybody over the age of three can relate to the whole "my parents hate me and our out to get me" phase. From about the ages of five to college graduation, kids seem to think for long periods of time that their parents hate them, and are executing strict rules and regulations to make their lives horrible. Or something along those lines. Anowa seems to think similarly when she talks of leaving and hoping never to return, the classic case of running away from home.
Lastly, the relationship that I can relate most closely to, is the bickering old man and woman. My grandparents are notorious for getting into yelling matches over small little issues that they don't truly care about, they just have their strong opinions. The-mouth-that-eats-salt-and-pepper seem to have the same sort of relationship. It's not that they hate each other, but rather that they are two very strong headed people. They also serve as somewhat of an amusement on the side of a family argument, just as making fun of my grandparents debates serves as somewhat of an icebreaker between me and my cousins.