ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER TWO OF THE NOVEL "THE TIES THAT BIND" BY PHILLIP KUNDENI CHIDAVAENZI

THE TIES THAT BIND CHAPTER 2

By Kosam Ndlovu

The second chapter of the text The Ties that Bind focuses on thematising mainly poverty, among other issues. Abject poverty affects many a youngster, making it impossible for them to reach their potential. through flashback, the difficult life Jackie experienced as a child is highlighted. The writer employs a Biblical allusion to illustrate the challenges youngsters encounter while growing up in poverty stricken families and communities. Reference is made to the story of Daniel who was thrown into the lion’s den following his adamant attitude of praying to God, contrary to the decree of king Darius the Medes. However, Daniel is miraculously saved from being eaten by the lions. This allusion demonstrates how difficult it is for the youths to find focus and direction within an environment that is not supportive as a result of poverty and orphanhood. The intervention of the Masosa family in the social and educational life of Jackie demonstrates the necessary paradigm shift needed for the youngsters living in poor communities. It also parallels the supernatural phenomenon that saves Daniel. 

The disfranchising effects of poverty stricken communities upon the youths force them into early sexual debut and prostitution. Jackie laments the fact that teenage girls fall pregnant thus having their dreams of a successful future shuttered. Modisa exemplifies what typically happens to the girl child living in abject poverty. After failing to continue with education, most of them fall pregnant. The image of sewer matter emphasises the immorality and the extreme poverty in the neighbourhood. The “volley of obscenities” uttered by a teenage girl reflects the unruly and rowdy behaviour of the children growing up in a place devoid of moral uprightness. Through the symbolism of “murky water, thick and appalling, like foul soup that made one nauseous,” the writer manages to conjure up the dire condition of squalor characterising the neighbourhood 

The importance of family ties is illustrated through Jacqueline’s regular visits to her childhood home where she grew up under the care of her grandmother. Vimbiso’s loyalty to the family members is demonstrated through her unwavering care and support towards Shelter. Her tender care and pleasantness towards the dying Shelter, are living proof of the teaching of Mbuya Maria Masosa who inculcated unity among the family members. Vimbiso’s resilience and caring attitude amid the blight of Shelter’s critical illness has earned her the title, Mother Theresa, a historical allusion to a Catholic nun of Calcutta who is famous for her selfless service and benevolence toward the afflicted. 

Parenthood as one of the themes is brought out through Jackie’s grandmother, Mbuya Maria Masosa who is burdened with the responsibility to raise her grandchildren single handedly after losing their parents. Maria Masosa is described as a woman who tries her best to inculcated good moral values upon her grandchildren through maxims such as “make most of what life offered.” This apt advice from a grandmother suggests that the life which this extended family leads, with meagre resources is challenging. The little opportunity the children have to obtain education and other necessary survival skill is crucial. Too old to be gainfully employed, the best she can offer are words of wisdom to ensure that the family members continue assisting each other to overcome life challenges. She is aware that it is not going to be easy for each member of the family to tackle the inevitable challenges that lie ahead of the family, given the hardships the family is going through, hence she admonishes her family to “stick together” as “family should come first.” That way, each member is assured of a less harsh future with the assistance of the other family members easily available.

The sense of uncertainty and anxiety introduced in the previous chapter is continued in this chapter. Jacqueline’s desire to start a family with a white person, Benjamin Carter appears to be an exercise in futility. She is anxious that her relatives, especially her uncle will not approve of the union of a white and a black person. The bleakness of Jacqueline’s dream of getting married to Benjamin is testified by Dr Anita Masosa who states that traditional beliefs are a stumbling block to such types of marriages. The writer thus brings out a clash between African traditional views and liberal ideologies exemplified through Jacqueline.

Inner turmoil and intrapersonal conflict are broadened in this chapter. The sense of hopelessness is established through Chiedza who jettisons the idea of being in love with Lincoln as she concludes that Lincoln would not accept her since she is living with HIV. Furthermore, her anxiety depends upon seeing Shelter who is apparently dying of AIDS. 

The devastating effects of AIDS are illustrated through Shelter. Her deterioration disturbs Chiedza, who is already living with HIV, a virus that causes AIDS. Chiedza keeps visualising her future as a harrowing phase. The simile of a “a bee sucking nectar out of a flower (simile)” brings out a visual and tactile image of the HIV virus attacking and weakening the immune system to a point where the body is unable to resist infections. Shelter’s condition serves to augment Chiedza’s pessimism about her future as a person living with HIV.

Liberalism and conservatism are contrasted through Jackie and Chiedza. Chiedza believes that men and women should be bound by marriage before they can live together and copulate. She is shocked to hear Jackie talking about attending a striptease party and she shudders at the thought of undressing in front of other women. On the other hand, Jackie is not constrained by the societal moral standards. Her concept of happiness is not moralised on the societal standards. She believes that individuals should engage in whatever they do with responsibility hence she states that it is safe to participate in striptease because the participants “are professional.” She freely talks about several men she has had romantic relationship with and gives Vimbiso condoms out of concern about her sexual health. Both Vimbiso and Chiedza find it embarrassing to discuss sexual issues.

The chapter also focuses on growing up. The writer brings out the aspect of the experimental phase of teenage-hood. This is the critical stage which necessitates parental guidance. Left alone, youngsters are bound to make ill-conceived decisions. Absence of sound advice results in devastating emotional and physical consequences such as teenage pregnancy as exemplified by Modisa.

Education as a liberating and empowering tool is thematised through Jackie. Following her adoption by Robert Masosa’s family, she manages to realise her educational goals. Her educational dreams become a success because of her strong sense of internal motivation and the financial support she gets from the Masosa family. From a tender age, Jackie emerges as a visionary person who is guided by a definite future.

The chapter exposes the economic challenges not only affecting individual families but also the entire country. Frequent power outages and water cuts no longer incentivise urban residents. This indicates the failure by the government to address the problems affecting people. Poor services and inefficiency are illustrated by the red tap existing in government offices making it difficult for people to obtain basic documents such as birth certificates. This forces people to cut corners in order to help the illegitimate orphaned children.