Essay Questions

How does Vimbai's character evolve throughout the story?

At the beginning, Vimbai is seen as rather pompous and unlikable, which puts her at odds with her community. This standoffishness makes her rather vulnerable when Dumisani, a new hairdresser, arrives. He challenges her to be more likable as he usurps her position in the hair salon. She strives to be more like him, and even invites him to live with her. The two strike up a friendship, which helps Vimbai become more understanding and caring. When she finds out that Dumisani is gay, she reacts rather badly, but she comes to terms with his sexuality and grows as a person from it.

In what ways are regressive norms perpetuated on the community in this novel?

There are many instances in which people are seen as bigoted. In the salon, Vimbai prides herself on making black women look "white," and having white hairstyles, which would take away from their black culture and perpetuate Eurocentrism. Additionally, Dumisani's family is rather homophobic, thinking that they can "cure" him of his homosexuality. Vimbai is also homophobic, and she reacts badly to Dumisani's sexuality. There is also a clear class divide between Vimbai and the much richer Dumisani, which means that as a couple (in theory) they would not be accepted.

How is Dumisani discriminated against, and why?

Dumisani, first and foremost, is a gay man in a heteronormative society. His family does not accept him for who he is and instead tells him to change himself, or "cure" himself of his homosexuality. They cut him off from their wealth, causing him to seek success elsewhere. He becomes a hairdresser, where he is looked down upon by Vimbai. She also perpetuates this norm when she finds out that he is not straight, after falling in love with him. She is disgusted by his desires and hates him, which makes their life very difficult. This combination of rejection makes Dumisani's life very difficult and he has to deal with this over the course of the novel.