Salemdawod 1

Rama Salemdawod

Mr. Thackray

ENG3U

13 July, 2023

Navigating Identity: Characterization in "Her Stripes"

Characterisation plays a significant role in "Her Stripes" by Odah Brian, providing insight into

the various individuals and their emotions within the story. The main character is a young

kid who is innocent, curious, and wants to express her true self.

The mom is worried about what other people think, but also loves her child a lot. Another

person in the story, Mama Mikayi, the child's father's first wife. She is really caring and

understanding.Ibrahim, who the main character likes, is struggling with who he is and

what other people want him to be. The author talks about things like how boys and girls

are supposed to act, what people expect from us, and how we can figure out who we

really are.

The young child is characterized as curious and expressive. The young child really wants the

pretty red dress with flowers on it. She imagines herself wearing it on Christmas and

wants to show it to her family and friends. Her desire to wear the dress signifies that she

wants to show who she really is and do things her own way, instead of following what

everyone else thinks is normal. The child's innocence is highlighted when she doesn't

understand why everyone was laughing at her clothes. She felt really confused and

embarrassed. When she feels sad and doesn't understand things, she goes to Mama
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Mikayi because she hopes that Mama Mikayi will make her feel better and will be kind to

her.

The child's mom, Mama, is shown as both worried and unsure of what to do. At first, she

surprises the child by taking her away from the dress. Mama seems worried, but she tries

to act calm and collected. The author suggests that Mama is very worried because she is

thinking about what society expects and thinks about her child . Mama's worries become

even bigger when she goes to Mama Mikayi's house to talk and get advice.

Mama's transformation from her usual bubbly self to a cold and worried individual reflects the

weight of societal expectations and the fear of potential consequences for her child's

unconventional desires.

Mama Mikayi is like a loving and caring mom. She takes care of her daughters, including the

child, and makes sure they feel safe. Even though there are some problems between the

co-wives, Mama Mikayi still welcomes the child into their home because she is kind and

understanding. She watches how the child acts and doesn't judge her for being girly.

Mama Mikayi wants everyone to get along, so she hopes the child will change a little bit.

Mama Mikayi's character showcases a more accepting and understanding perspective,

acting as a counterbalance to the societal pressures faced by the child and her mother.

Ibrahim, the child's love interest in university, struggles with his own identity and the conflicting

beliefs imposed on him. He tells the child that he is attracted to other boys, but his

religion and culture say that this is not right. Because of this, Ibrahim thinks that
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something bad has taken control of him. This shows how hard it can be for people who

are figuring out their feelings about liking the same gender or not feeling like the gender

they were born as. Ibrahim hurts himself and tries to ignore his true feelings because he is

scared of what other people will think and what might happen to him because of his

religion.

Overall, the characterisation in "Her Stripes" delves into the complexities of gender expectations,

societal pressure, and self-discovery. Through the young child, Mama, Mama Mikayi,

and Ibrahim, the author explores the challenges faced by individuals who yearn to

express their true selves in the face of societal norms and expectations. The characters'

experiences and emotions provide a nuanced exploration of identity and the internal

struggles that individuals face when their true selves defy societal expectations.