So Long a Letter

So Long a Letter

• Genre: Fiction; epistolary novel
• Originally Published: 1979 (published in English in 1981)
• Reading Level/Interest: College/adult
• Structure/Length: Epistolary format; 27 chapters; approximately 96 pages
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel is composed of a letter written by Ramatoulaye, a Senegalese woman, to her close friend Aissatou. The letter chronicles Ramatoulaye’s emotional journey as she copes with the recent death of her husband and her reflections on their shared experiences as wives in a traditional society. The central conflict revolves around Ramatoulaye’s struggle to reconcile her personal desires and societal expectations while navigating her changing roles as a widow, mother, and woman.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of loss; death of loved one; gender roles and societal expectations

Mariama Bâ, Author

• Bio: Born 1929, deceased 1981; Senegalese author and feminist; known for her contributions to African literature and her exploration of gender roles, women’s rights, and cultural dynamics in her works; So Long a Letter is her most famous work and is considered a seminal piece of African literature; advocated for social change and women’s empowerment through her writing; legacy continues to inspire discussions about feminism and African identity
• Other Works: Scarlet Song (1981)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Feminism
• Education
• Polygamy

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the literary and sociological contexts regarding women’s rights in Senegal in the mid-20th century, as they impact Rama’s maturity throughout the novel.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of Feminism, Education, and Polygamy.
• Draft and present a creative writing piece that demonstrates an understanding of Aissatou’s character in relation to Rama, based on indirect characterization techniques and text details.
• Examine and appraise the author’s purpose in structured essay responses regarding Senegal’s future generations, the idea of polygamy, the protagonist’s relationship with religion, and other topics.