What is the theme of the book Mission to Kala by Mongo Beti?

Answer 1

The theme of culture and African tradition is brought out in the novel. There are aspects of culture which are; African communism, African marriages, parent to child relationship, polygamy, dating and courting.

Communism is brought out in Medza's village Vimili where the people work as one.They helped each other in farming(women worked in fields as groups),Niam was invited for supper by other families,Medza was sent off to Kala because Niam's problems were regarded as the whole tribe's problems,they were also a permissive society were people could help each other with sexual needs..

Marriages are greatly encouraged.

The man is the decision maker and women are silent and inferior.

It is by culture that a child is supposed to be disciplined by a rod.

Polygamy is also shown as the chief is said to have many wives and numerous children and he also marries a young girl adding to the lot.

In this society women are married early and as a result they are exposed to abuse. Men are also allowed to hit their wives e.g Medza's father used to bash his wife Medza's mother,Niam would beat up his wife. Also barren women are prone to abuse.Niam's wife was bitten and abused because she did'nt have a child.Women worked in the feilds more than man did and they were also docile to the man's command.

The theme in mission to kala can also be colonial education this is because Medza is taking himself to be a black frenchman due to his educative ideas from the French people .This colonial education deprives him of an identity .Medza was born african but because of colonial education he has become a concoction of diffrent cultures.This is why in the book he is not confident of himself because he is torn between the african culture and european culture.

Identity is also a theme in Mission to Kala Medza does not have a soluble identity .he failed his baccalaureat examinations thus he has failed to cope with the white man's way of life.On the other hand, the poeple at Kala say to him"for us you are the white man" this shows that he could not qualify to be called a black man also therefore Medza did not have a tangible identity .At this juncture we come to the theme of self realisation .He goes to Kala "Mission to Kala" to discover himself that why he goes through a lot of questioning by the so called "bushman "of Kala .They put him under a brain opening scheme...

Answer 2

the book satirically presents colonial education.the practicality of colonial education is put to test when Medza feels insecure and does not have answers to questions asked by the villagers in Kala

Answer 3

Mongo Beti did write the Mission to Kala because it served as "Idealization is a travesty of literary". Mongo Beti did write the Mission to Kala because he wanted to explore the theme of satire in literature.

Answer 4

The theme is african culture. This is shown when Medza's father wanted him to obey him in everything he told him to do.

Answer 5

coming of age

Answer 6

African cuture

Answer 7

Audrey