Analysis of “A letter to my mother” by Chenjerai Hove

The purpose of this text, which is a letter from a traveller stead to his buckle under, is to inform her of his experiences on his travels, and is thought and flavorings on this. The tone of the letter is more(prenominal) often than not one of nostalgia and suggestions of shoessickness which female genitalia be seen in the many contrasting slipway he portrays the way of life from his home in Africa to his b ar-ass home in Norway. However the author accognitions that he has learned that travelling is a way to broaden ones horizons and expand ones mind so, and looks forward to the mean solar day he can generate to his roots and sh atomic number 18 his experiences with his family.The tone of nostalgia is prevalent throughout this text, it tied(p) begins with the reciprocation Remember which suggests that it is going to be a very reflective and personalized piece. This is repeated again with reference to memories of the way of life the generator has left(a) behind, an d the fondness with which he looks back on it.The fond recollections of home which are described in detail such as the way they slew the weather, particularly the rain as something which is to be celebrated beca occasion of goods and services it reachs life to mess, plants and animals. This stands in stark contrast to the way in which Norwegian regard this flake of weather. Have not stopped cursing the weather shows that they see it as the opposite of the blessing that those who live in Africa see it as. This is again punctuate when the writer treats the type of hoi polloi who would obligate cursed the rain in his home as unnatural and evil. These people are a beguile who wishes that life should not be brought, this shows how the local attitudes to the rain could not be more in opposition. This all told works to show the writers nostalgic view of his home culture and longing to be there, with people he shares the same values with.The writer goes on to talk almost the weat her conditions of Norway that are new to him and how his inexperience of the ice and snow could possibly lead to real, physical distress. A step on the ice is a potential disaster, this shows that he could easily fall and ca make use of harm to himself in this new and other environment, which instantly contrasts with the experienced and graceful Norwegians who have been living in these conditions all their lives. they float on it standardised Arabs. The writer also goes on to show how the Norwegian use of the ice for amusement or sporting purposes is completely alien and almost baffling to him. they even run races and win competitions His astonishment is again emphasized by the use of a rhetorical question-can you imagine?, this shows that using something which would be strange and dangerous for him in a competitive manner is bewildering and that he doesnt quite feel like he fits in yet and that he is so far re go forwardd from the culture as to always be an outsider.Further co ntrasts are shown between the geographical differences of Norway and Africa are introduced by the style by the way which suggests the writers exc tokenent to tell his mother about a novel experience. I forget you have never seen the sea this could be taken to be typical of all people of his place of origin, this would be something that they could consider exciting and opening up new thinkings to them. This contrasts with the way Norwegian settlements re set out, they are all in coastal areas and gain much of their sustenance from the sea, Norwegians are people of the sea and it brings everything they want, this suggests that while the sea and all its bounty are enough to make the local Norwegians happy and content, it does not seem to do so for the author, further alienating him from those round him. This is further emphasized by the Norwegian folk wisdom if you dont eat fish, like me, you are supposed to be miserable . The Norwegians would argue that he is sorrowful because he does not eat fish, however the source of his unhappiness is more likely to be his homesickness and desire to be with those he misses.The writer becomes more upbeat towards the end, and begins to describe his thoughts as he looks towards the time when he can return home and share with his mother his experiences and all that he has learned. The use of the verb give voice I hope shows that he is looking to that time in the future not with sadness yet expectation, that it is something to look forward to.The repeat of the lexical item Maybe gives the impression that the writer is uncertain but hopeful, and that he would like nothing more than to be able to return one day. The writer goes on to list the things that he one day hopes to return to do, gaze at the beauty of that African moon this suggests that the African moon is unique and perhaps has some magical quality. This suggests that the writer would make do to be able to be at home doing these things, but must continue his journ ey.The writer seems to acknowledge that it may be many develop before he is able to return, I may be older, but I will not have given up the idea of being young , this suggests that while the writer knows he will be away for years, he will never forget about his country of origin and the people he left behind, and will one day return. The use of the lexical item idea suggests that the writer considers that it doesnt matter what age he has reached, as long as he does not feel old in himself then he will not be too old to continue his journey and to continue gaining knowledge.The writer finishes on a positive note, telling his mother how he is determined to transfer on his quest to learn and for life experience many swarms to the river of knowledge. This metaphor is describing knowledge as a river, which is constantly flowing, changing and heraldic bearing somewhere new, just like he was when he left for Norway. The stream which flows to the rivers is his path to this knowledge, one that he feels he must continue to travel. The writer is more forceful here than before, having often used the lexical item maybe to which showed uncertainty but hopefulness, he now uses the verb phrase I know , this shows his mind has been made up that he shall not give in and come home yet just because he is unhappy. The noun phrase other lads refers to his new home in Norway, which could be considered his classroom or learning grounds for his life lessons, but also suggests it could be anyplace in the world due to lands being plural, and that he may move on to somewhere new one day.All in all the writer uses various techniques to show the contrasts of his homeland to his new home, his homesickness and his desire to spend on, to continue to gain new knowledge and life skills and experience.