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Chapters 1-3:

Ramatoulaye writes the letter to her close friend, Aissatou, whose presence is not fortuitous.Aissatou is the one who Ramatoulaye vents her feelings to.

The author uses repetition in the beginning to stress the idea of Aissatou as Ramatoulayesfriend.

Suffering is introduced in the very first paragraphs of the novel, where it explains Ramatoulayeshusband has passed.

Chapter 2 begins by restating that Modou (the husband) is dead and then explains how thenews is relayed through the crowds of people.

The Senegalese traditions of sacrificing her possessions as gifts to her family-in-laws The Author uses repetition to help emphasize the husbandscompanions presence in the

funeral process.

Chapter 3 begins by restating the people who are attending the house of Ramatoulaye and herco-wife.

The groups of men and women are separated which helps the reader understand a little moreabout the social traditions of the Senegalese.

Ramatoulaye is finally left alone after the 40th day. Ramatoulaye and her co-wife followedprocess and rules of their religion.

Chapters 4-6:

Family meetings, the families come together Binetou was unable to attend school eventually because of money problems which Ramatoulaye

doesnt have

Author repeatedly uses compliments to support the genuine intelligence of Binetou Ramatoulaye thinks about the suffering in this world, with the others who are inflicted with

sickness.

The reader understands the idea of polygamy and Islamic faith Ramatoulaye and her co-wife are beginning to mourn for the husband more. She reminisces about when she first met Modou Fall

Chapters 7-9

The headmistress loved her pupils Daouda Dieng, a bachelor who is too mature Ramatoulayes wedding was celebrated without dowry, without pomp, under the disapproving

look of her father

Aissatou married Mawdo Ba who recently graduated from the African School of Medicine andPharmacy

School turns our girls into devils who lure our men away from the right path. Ramatoulaye loved Modou, she compromised with his people and toerlated his sisters who

deserted their houses to live in hers, they are fed and pampered.

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Ramatoulaye had a hard time getting along with her husbands family which always treated heras an nuisance

Chapter 10-12

Modou rose to top rank in trade union organizations, his understanding of people and thingsendeared him to both employers and workers

Mawdo gained reputation as a doctor and was remained a prisoner of his missions in thehospital to help people

Mawdos mother is known by Aunty Nabou to them while Seynabou to others She bore a name in the Sine: Diouf, she was a descendant of Bour-Sine. Ramatoulaye helped to get young Nabou into the French school Young Nabou was able to learn the secret of making sauces, using an iron and wielding a pestle,

and her aunt never missed the opportunity to remind her of her royal origin.

Also she taught her that the first quality in a woman is docility Aissatou leaves Mawdo through a letter

Chapter 13-15

Ramatoulayes problem did not come from family-in-law but from her husband She notices that Binetou going through a positive metamorphosis Binetou did not want to marry Modou, but he was able to give her a proper house, so she

accepted

Binetou was at the same age as Ramatoulayes daughter, Daba Binetou had told everything: the villa, the monthly allowance, the offer of a future trip to Mecca

for her parents

Daba was furious and her pride was hurt Ramatoulaye begins to think about her options as to what to do about her new co-wife It would be hard for her to capture a new worthy man, from her friends experiences She also has 12 children to worry about No comparison between Aissatou and Young Nabou and no comparison between youn Nabou

and Binetou

Binetou grew up in complete liberty, in an environment where survival was of the essence Binetous life was ruined by the marriage

Chapter 16-18

Ramatoulaye had to take on Modous duties Bills, groceries, repairs etc Modou cut her off from all contact She was abandoned, she no longer feels interest in Modou Ramatoulaye gave the radio the role of comforter Music helped her sadness dissolve

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She was not waiting, she was not divorced but abandoned Despite Modous desertion, his family visited Ramatoulaye often She was able to make peace with his family

Chapter 19-21

A woman must marry the man who loves her but never the one she loves; that is the secret oflasting happiness.

The more responsibility one has, the more one feels it; poverty breaks your heart, but youhave no control over it.

Friday, Ramatoulaye takes bath feeling revitalizedChapter 22-24

Beginning to feel immense fatigue, begins in soul which then weighs down the body Ousmane, the last born brings a letter from Aunty Aissatou Substantial age gap between Daba and Mawdo Fall, the result of two miscarriages The headmaster of the school understands mawdo fall Ramatoulaye fears for Daba Daba is unsure about marriage Ramatoulayes children bring a great deal of concern She catches 3 of her children smoking ( Arame, Yacine, Dieynaba) In the manner which they were smoking, it seemed as if they had experience She falls into more despair as she discovers her childrens delinquent tendencies Her sons, Alioune and Malick arrive in tears after playing football

Chapter 25-27

Ibrahima Sall was the embodiment of a young lover Ramatoulaye shares her fears with Sall Her daughter belonged more to her boyfriend Ibrahima Sall visits everyday and gives them what they need Sall also gives Mawdo Fall his logic and clarity in discussions of the topic of his essays Each woman makes of her life what she wants. Success of a nation depends inevitably on the family Ramatoulaye still hopes