Anowa

Luisa Posada 1002May 9, 2011
“Anowa”
Your family will always have to support every decision that you make, and they will alwaysbe there for you when you need them, right? Well, in “Anowa”, by Ama Ata Aidoo family does play an important role, but the different families in the story are not perfect. There are the family ofAnowa, and her two parents, Badua, and Osam, and there is also the family of Anowa and Kofi. Throughout the story we can see how these families struggle the different obstacles, and we can see how thefamily bonds are broken, and are being replaced with anger, disagreement and grief.
The story first talks about Anowa and her parents, Badua and Osam. Anowa has been a rebel for her whole life, buther parents, specially her mother, don’t want her to be like that. Badua wants her daughter to follow the traditions of her culture, and marry right after puberty. Anowa, however, does not do this, andwait six years, until she finds a man whom she wants to marry, Kofi. Any mother would be happy for her, but Badua, on the contrary is furious. “Anowa, shut up. Shut up! Push your tongue into yourmouth and close it. Shut up because I never counted Kofi Ako among my sons-in-law.” (Pg. 74) Badua is furious because Anowa made a decision by herself. She is not being understanding, or loving at all.She wants to control everyone, and that is not being a good mother.
On the other hand Osam does not seem to care at all. “Badua: And you, Kobina Sam, will you not say anything? Osam: Abena Badua,leave me out of this.” (Pg. 75) Osam does not participate in the conversation. He does not support or protest Anowa’s decision, and that is not being a good father. He does not advise her, or wishes her...