Saturday, January 1, 2022

So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba

 "Torn between the past and present, we deplored the 'hard sweat' that would be inevitable. We counted the possible losses. But we knew that nothing would be as before. We were full of nostalgia but were resolutely progressive" (19).

"To overcome distress when it sits upon you demands strong will. When one thinks that with each passing second one's life is shortened, one must profit intensely from this second; it is the sum of all the lost or harvested seconds that makes for a wasted or a successful life. Brace oneself to check despair and get it into proportion! A nervous breakdown waits around the corner for anyone who lets himself wallow in bitterness. Little by little, it takes over your whole being" (41).

"My reflections determine my attitude to the problems of my life. I analyse the decisions that decide our future. I widen my scope by taking an interest in current world affairs.

"I remain persuaded of the inevitable and necessary complimentarity of man and woman.

"Love, imperfect as it may be in its content and expression, remains the natural link between these two beings" (88). 

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