Ambiguous Adventure

Many of the novel’s characters exist in a state of limbo between tradition and progress. From the Diallobé perspective, westernization threatens the future of their traditions as much as outright colonial conquest. This westernization is treated as synonymous with modernity and is symbolized by the foreign school. While all of the Diallobé agree that the presence of the foreign school is problematic for keeping traditions alive, the Most Royal Lady believes that it is necessary for the Diallobé to understand what has made Western colonialism successful so that they may learn from their mistakes going forward. In this sense, the loss of tradition is the compromise necessary for preserving the future of the Diallobé. The people could physically die with traditions intact or accept progress and survive.

Aspects of westernization, such as modern technology, are deeply alien to the Diallobé. The fool’s vivid descriptions of the mechanisms that the “white man” uses, as well as Thierno’s horrified reaction, indicate that the Diallobé society has lived without much of the technology that the Western world uses. Yet their reaction is not one of curiosity and delight but instead of repulsion and horror, and after the fool’s explanation, they pray together.