This idea of refusal is interesting. The statement by
Sembene, “In fact, when a human being refuses, he/she takes charge of
himself/herself” makes me think of Diouna’s mother more than Diouna. Her mother
had written a letter asking when Diouna was going to send her money so that so
that she could care for the family. She was so persistent in getting that money
that I was surprised when she refused it when Diouna’s boss when to Senegal to
give it to her. Maybe she refused it because Diouna’s suicide was kind of like
a refusal to her mother that she didn’t want to work like this and have to give
her hard-earned money to her mother. I don’t know. It also seemed like for the
entire movie right before the end, Diouna refused to show emotion. I don’t know
if that was her character, but if there wasn’t her narration explaining her
feelings, I would have had no clue as to how she felt about being a maid and
working in France at that house. I don’t understand why she refused to speak up
for herself. This movie left me with a lot of confusion and with a lot of
questions. I’m still not quite sure if I understand the symbolism of the mask.
It’s kind of like the mask was her identity in a way. Even though this film was
after the independence of Senegal from France, the mask hanging in the French
home could symbolize that the post-colonial identity of Senegal still remains
in France.
Ally,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick comment: I'm still trying to figure out Diouna's response to her employers when they read the letter from her mother to her. She says, if I remember correctly, "That letter isn't from my mother." I'll try to research the matter...
Spring
Ally,
ReplyDeleteI too thought it was interesting that she did not accept the money for her families sake, and if necessary commit the act of suicide after the money was sent. For me, I felt it was her rebelling all around. Showing everyone that she was not working for anyone but herself and in that in she achieved that by doing one last duty for her own sake, not anyone else's.
I also agree with your notion that if there was no description of her behavior, I would have lost more than half of the film simply because there is a lack of emotion or action that describes what is going on both physically and mentally with Diouna.