In her novel, So Long a Letter, Mariama Bâ examines the status of women in the W

In her novel, So Long a Letter, Mariama Bâ examines the status of women in the West African country of Senegal. The novel is written in the form of a letter by Ramatoulaye Fall to her lifelong friend Aissatou Bâ following the death of Ramatoulaye’s husband, Modou Fall. The letter provides the reader with a portrait of Muslim practices regarding death as well as the Senegalese (West-African) version of those practices. Moreover, the novel sheds light on women’s status in contemporary Muslim Senegalese society. Write a 4- to 5-page essay (double-spaced, size 12 font) analyzing the following sub-themes: a) The status of women in West Africa. What does Mariama Bâ say about women in Senegal/West Africa? b) What does she say about Muslim death practices and African tradition? As a Muslim woman, did she uphold Islamic religious standards during her husband’s funeral? Did her husband follow the precepts of his religion? Explain. c) What does the novel reveal about polygamy in contemporary Senegal? d) Thanks to the novel, we learn that Ramatoulaye is a wife, mother, and teacher. What does the novel teach us about Ramatoulaye’s identity/consciousness? (In this segment, you should explain if Ramatoulaye’s identity/consciousness evolved. You need to look at her correspondence with her best friend Aissatou to see if/how she has evolved).