Mainini Character Analysis in Nervous Conditions

Mainini is Tambu's mother. She's been married to Jeremiah for nineteen years, since she was fifteen, and Tambu believes that this is one of the reasons—alongside crushing poverty and Jeremiah's overbearing nature—that Mainini is spiritless. However, Tambu's assessment isn't entirely true. Though Mainini is often tired, exasperated, and picks her battles carefully, she does stand up to Jeremiah and makes her opinions known to the men around her. Tambu's assessment likely comes from Mainini's defeatist nature; when Tambu is a child, Mainini counsels her to learn to carry the "burden of womanhood" so that she can more easily make sacrifices and care for her future husband and children. She also laments the burden of being black, which suggests that she's more aware of the colonial system's effects than Tambu gives her credit for: under white colonial rule, black Rhodesians were denied access, respect, and prestige. Though Mainini is initially enthusiastic about Babamukuru's desire to educate Nhamo, she soon sees that education and exposure to white culture fundamentally changes a person. She's hurt when Nhamo "forgets" Shona and won't speak to her anymore, and when he dies, she believes that Maiguru cursed him. This is why she also isn't happy when Babamukuru decides to take Tambu to the mission, as she fears Tambu will suffer the same fate. Mainini suffered several miscarriages and lost several babies under a year old over the course of her marriage, so she's especially distraught when she becomes pregnant while Tambu is at the mission school. Though her pregnancy is difficult, she gives birth to a healthy baby boy in March. Not long after, she agrees to go through with Babamukuru's proposed wedding even though she doesn't see the point. After Nyasha is hospitalized, Mainini ominously says that "Englishness" will kill her and Tambu, indicating that Mainini isn't sold on the Western version of success that her children experience at the mission.

Mainini Quotes in Nervous Conditions

The Nervous Conditions quotes below are all either spoken by Mainini or refer to Mainini. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Perhaps I am making it seem as though Nhamo simply decided to be obnoxious and turned out to be good at it, when in reality that was not the case; when in reality he was doing no more than behave, perhaps extremely, in the expected manner. The needs and sensibilities of the women in my family were not considered a priority, or even legitimate.

Related Characters: Tambu (speaker), Nhamo, Mainini, Jeremiah

Page Number and Citation: 12

Explanation and Analysis:

After explaining several ways in which Nhamo behaved especially poorly towards Tambu, Mainini, and his younger sisters after starting school at the mission, Tambu the narrator—who is much older than the Tambu of the novel, and has since learned to think for herself—recognizes that Nhamo was not actually doing anything wrong according to either traditional customs or the Western ideals he was exposed to at school. Though Tambu doesn't realize it now, her life is considered less valuable than Nhamo's simply because she’s female. Historically speaking, Nhamo would've been one of only a few black children who received an education Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi

"When there are sacrifices to be made, you are the one who has to make them. And these things are not easy […] As if it is ever easy. And these days it is worse, with the poverty of blackness on one side and the weight of womanhood on the other."

Related Characters: Mainini (speaker), Tambu, Nhamo, Jeremiah

Page Number and Citation: 16

Explanation and Analysis:

After Jeremiah tells Tambu not to worry about going to school, Tambu goes to her mother about the issue. Unfortunately, Mainini agrees that school isn't necessary, claiming it's far more important for Tambu to learn to sacrifice herself for her family. This shows first that Mainini, like Jeremiah, still operates under a system that sees girls and women as useful only to their husband and children—it's unthinkable that a woman would become educated because she wants to learn or wants to have a career. This is an attempt to re-center Tambu's priorities to her future that includes only marriage, which Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti

Although she had been brought up in abject poverty, she had not, like my mother, been married to it at fifteen. Her spirit, unfettered in this respect, had experimented with living and drawn its own conclusions. Consequently, she was a much bolder woman than my mother […].

Related Characters: Tambu (speaker), Lucia, Mainini

Page Number and Citation: 129

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Tambu briefly explains her aunt Lucia's character. Lucia is bold and opinionated because she's not been forced to give into a husband and hasn't acted with much regard for her father, either. This assessment situates female power and emancipation directly with not being married, as Tambu also implies that Mainini is so powerless and broken because she's been married for so long and from such a young age. Tambu's assessment also suggests that poverty doesn't have to break a woman's spirit, though it can play a part in doing so. Rather, the one true culprit is male Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit.

But the women had been taught to recognize these reflections as self and it was frightening now to even begin to think that, the very facts which set them apart as a group, as women, as a certain kind of person, were only myths; frightening to acknowledge that generations of threat and assault and neglect had battered these myths into the extreme, dividing reality they faced, of the Maigurus or the Lucias.

Related Characters: Tambu (speaker), Maiguru, Lucia, Mainini, Patience

Page Number and Citation: 140

Explanation and Analysis:

During the fight in the kitchen about whether the men are meddling in business that doesn't concern them (the issue with Lucia and Takesure), Tambu recognizes that the women take sides because they've been tricked into thinking they have to. Tambu sees that because of the years of being dominated by men, and the fact that women are overwhelmingly dependent on the men around them, women divide themselves into two categories: those like Lucia, who stand up to men, and those like Maiguru, who appear to support the patriarchy. However, Tambu understands that this is actually an effect of the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Expli

"Because she's rich and comes here and flashes her money around, so you listen to her as though you want to eat the words that come out of her mouth […] I am poor and ignorant, that's me, but I have a mouth and it will keep on talking, it won't keep quiet."

Related Characters: Mainini (speaker), Maiguru, Lucia, Tambu, Patience

Page Number and Citation: 140

Explanation and Analysis:

After Maiguru excuses herself from the fight in the kitchen, Mainini insists that the other women only listened to Maiguru with such respect because Maiguru is rich. Mainini's outburst, though embarrassing for Tambu, again suggests that she's more aware of the system that traps her than Tambu thinks she is. Mainini recognizes that because she's female, poor, and black, her opinion matters little to others. Maiguru, on the other hand, has marginally more power because of her education and money. However, Mainini's refusal to stop talking suggests that even women with objectively little power still have opportunities to take it Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedit

Naturally I was angry with him for having devised this plot which made such a joke of my parents, my home and myself. And just as naturally I could not be angry with him since surely it was sinful to be angry with Babamukuru.

Related Characters: Tambu (speaker), Babamukuru, Jeremiah, Mainini

Page Number and Citation: 151

Explanation and Analysis:

After hearing that Babamukuru wants to throw a wedding for Jeremiah and Mainini, Tambu struggles to organize her thoughts and parse out her feelings about Babamukuru. In her mind, the wedding itself is a way to humiliate Jeremiah and Mainini by making it painfully obvious that they're not as Christian and as "correct" as Babamukuru would like them to be. Tambu also believes that the wedding is an excuse for Babamukuru to show off how wealthy he is, and her parents are only tools that will allow him to do that. However, Tambu struggles because she still sees Babamukuru as Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque

How could I possibly forget my brother and the mealies, my mother and the latrine and the wedding? These were all evidence of the burdens my mother had succumbed to. Going to the convent was a chance to lighten those burdens by entering a world where the burdens were light.

Related Characters: Tambu (speaker), Nyasha, Nhamo, Mainini

Page Number and Citation: 182

Explanation and Analysis:

Though Nyasha tries to discourage Tambu from attending the Sacred Heart Catholic school on the grounds that the school would assimilate Tambu into their culture and make her forget who she is, Tambu believes that this isn't true. As far as Tambu is concerned, she's unable to forget the poverty she grew up in, Nhamo's cruelty, and Babamukuru's humiliation of her parents—all of which she sees as the burden of womanhood that Mainini warned her about as a child. Tambu believes that by pursuing this educational opportunity, she'll be able to avoid Mainini's fate while also remembering where she came Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non invento

Mainini Character Timeline in Nervous Conditions

The timeline below shows where the character Mainini appears in Nervous Conditions. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...his education, and Tambu wonders why she can't be educated. Her parents are dismissive, and Mainini, Tambu’s mother, tells her that she needs to learn to carry the weight of womanhood... (full context)

...cousin Nyasha reject her father's controlling nature, which leaves her struggling with dangerous eating disorders. Mainini suggests that Nyasha is plagued by "Englishness," though Tambu persists in her studies. (full context)

...the story isn't about Nhamo's death as much as it's about her and Lucia's escape, Mainini and Maiguru's entrapment, and the many rebellions of her cousin, Nyasha. (full context)

In the evening, Mainini goes to her vegetable garden and Tambu returns to the homestead. She expects to find... (full context)

...Nyasha with them for five years. Jeremiah worried about having to provide for himself, while Mainini hoped that it would make Jeremiah more responsible at last. (full context)

...that it was his responsibility to educate or care for his sisters. When Jeremiah and Mainini told him there was no money for school fees, he cried. Mainini began selling boiled... (full context)

...silly, as Maiguru was educated and didn't serve Babamukuru books for dinner. She went to Mainini and spat that Maiguru was a better wife because of her education, but Mainini calmly... (full context)

...give her corn seed, she'd grow corn and raise the fees herself. Jeremiah laughed, and Mainini suggested they allow Tambu to do this, as she'd just learn to fail. Tambu spent... (full context)

Tambu tended her cornfields and completed all her other chores. Mainini began to discourage Tambu to prepare her for failure, and Nhamo didn't help either. He... (full context)

...take her with him on Tuesday. Jeremiah was incensed and tried to forbid Tambu, but Mainini refused to stand with him: she pointed out that if he didn't let her go,... (full context)

...to stop wanting so much, as it's natural for her to stay home and help Mainini with the preparations. This and his other assessments of what's natural annoy Tambu, and she... (full context)

...and resume her relationship with Chido and Nyasha. She feels as though this is what Mainini was talking about when she mentioned the burden of womanhood. Tambu is afraid, as she... (full context)

...She can't imagine Babamukuru bullying anyone the way that Nhamo and Jeremiah bully Tambu and Mainini. Tambu is really only angry because Nhamo insisted there was more to his special treatment... (full context)

Tambu ignores Nhamo for a while after that. Mainini is very upset about it, especially since she's pregnant with Rambanai and has already lost... (full context)

...day, Nyasha behaves especially horribly: she refuses sour milk after asking for it. Jeremiah and Mainini are vocal about how horrible she is when Babamukuru isn't around. (full context)

...year of school, he's different: he no longer remembers the Shona language. He speaks to Mainini in incorrect Shona and in broken English to Jeremiah. However, when something important comes up,... (full context)

...and superior Nhamo is the Nhamo they expect home in 1968. When he doesn't arrive, Mainini is upset and declares that he'd never come home if he didn't have to. The... (full context)

Once they get Mainini into the kitchen, Babamukuru tells them what happened. Nhamo complained of a pain in his... (full context)

...come to the mission to be educated so she can support them until she marries. Mainini is stricken with grief; she doesn't want another of her children sent to a place... (full context)

...as though she has everything laid out before her and needs only to care about Mainini and to show her sisters that they too can escape circumstances and do well. Tambu... (full context)

...getting distracted like Nhamo did. She tries to ignore the glamour and instead, thinks of Mainini and her sisters. Tambu begins to judge Nhamo less harshly, as she sees how the... (full context)

With so much food at hand, Tambu becomes plump and begins to menstruate. Mainini had already given Tambu reusable napkins. However, Tambu finds that washing them is embarrassing and... (full context)

...holes in the walls, and the once sanitary latrine is coated in excrement. Tambu asks Mainini a few days into the visit why she doesn't clean the toilet, but Mainini shrugs... (full context)

...rolls up outside the house, only Rambanai and Netsai greet their visitors. Netsai explains that Mainini is lying down, while Jeremiah and Takesure are out. Babamukuru is shocked; he apparently asked... (full context)

...serious: Tambu's maternal grandparents have always been very poor, and it didn't help matters when Mainini got pregnant and went home with Jeremiah. This meant that Mainini's parents couldn't claim a... (full context)

...and spirited. He thinks he's powerful enough to control her, given that he already broke Mainini's spirit. He attempted to make this case to Babamukuru and cited that if Lucia's baby... (full context)

...be respectful, but Maiguru brushes off his reproach. They all carry provisions inside, and then Mainini calls out from the bedroom. Tambu goes to her and tries to deal with Mainini's... (full context)

Babamukuru and Maiguru enter the room. The adults greet each other, and Mainini makes rude comments about believing that her in-laws wouldn't come. When Mainini notices that Maiguru... (full context)

Meanwhile, the women and children sit in the outdoor kitchen, furious. Mainini rants that the patriarchs are going to make it seem like Lucia impregnated herself on... (full context)

...says that the matter doesn't concern her, as neither Lucia nor Takesure are her family. Mainini asks why Maiguru is even in the kitchen if she's not going to side with... (full context)

Lucia tries to calm Mainini, but Mainini won't have it. Mainini insists that Lucia doesn't know how to restrain herself,... (full context)

Lucia manages to convince Mainini to go to the house to listen in on the meeting, and the two of... (full context)

...on the sofa, Lucia says she didn't leave because Jeremiah is a terrible husband to Mainini. She says he wants everything but doesn't want to work for it, and she couldn't... (full context)

Back outside, Tambu worriedly tells Lucia that if she takes Mainini, Tambu will have to come back to the homestead. Lucia laughs and assures her this... (full context)

...to attention, Babamukuru says that he has a solution: the issue is that Jeremiah and Mainini are living in sin, so he wants to throw a church wedding for them so... (full context)

...doesn't find the proposed wedding funny. She experiences panic attacks every time she thinks of Mainini as a bride, and she also experiences attacks when she thinks of Babamukuru. She's angry... (full context)

...sleep with him that night. She refuses, reminding the men of her plan to take Mainini away, but Jeremiah and Takesure only laugh at her. Tambu feels bad for Lucia, whom... (full context)

In March, Mainini comes to the mission hospital and has her baby, a healthy boy. Coincidentally, Lucia arrives... (full context)

The next day, Lucia reminds Babamukuru that she only came to the homestead to help Mainini and then suggests that if she could find a job, it would solve their problems.... (full context)

Lucia celebrates and sinks to her knees to thank Babamukuru for his generosity. Mainini joins and then Maiguru does, and Tambu wants to as well. Nyasha kicks Tambu under... (full context)

...to accommodate guests and names Tambu and Lucia bridesmaids. One day in August, Babamukuru fetches Mainini, Tambu, Nyasha, and Lucia to take them to the dressmaker's shop. Lucia, Nyasha, and Tambu... (full context)

...is wonderful and her parents will love it. She can't make herself believe it, however; Mainini doesn't care and Lucia doesn't either. Tambu can't sleep for nights on end and feels... (full context)

...ability to think critically was stunted, and she felt unable to say anything. Tambu thinks Mainini is right: she is unnatural, as she's willing to laugh at her parents when Babamukuru... (full context)

Later, they tell Tambu that the wedding was wonderful. Jeremiah and Mainini were beautifully dressed, there was a lot of food, and some people even managed to... (full context)

...bluntly tells him that Tambu shouldn't be punished, especially when he never asked Tambu or Mainini if they wanted Tambu to be there. Babamukuru is uncharacteristically patient with her but insists... (full context)

...and the latrine, as those things are evidence of the burden of womanhood that crushes Mainini. Tambu believes going to the school will lighten those burdens. (full context)

...refuses to cook for two dozen people again, so Babamukuru drives to the homestead daily. Mainini is secretly thrilled, as she doesn't want to share her house or her Dover stove. (full context)

...balance, and it'll be worth it to buy her sisters dresses and make sure that Mainini is plump again. (full context)

Tambu loses herself in daydreams about her pretty new uniform and runs to tell Mainini. She finds Mainini in the kitchen, cooking on the hearth in spite of the Dover... (full context)

Over the next few days, Mainini deteriorates. She barely eats and doesn't wash, and Dambudzo develops diarrhea. Worried about his son,... (full context)

First, Lucia walks Mainini to Nyamarira. To make Mainini get in the water and wash, she puts Dambudzo on... (full context)

At the homestead, Mainini snorts that it's the "Englishness" that's done this to Nyasha, and it's liable to kill... (full context)

Mainini Character Analysis

Mainini Quotes in Nervous Conditions

Chapter One Quotes

Chapter Two Quotes

Chapter Seven Quotes

Chapter Eight Quotes

Chapter Nine Quotes

Mainini Character Timeline in Nervous Conditions