So Long a Letter

Consider the novel’s epistolary structure—it is written in the form of a very long letter. Examples of other epistolary novels include Bram Stoker’s Dracula and C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. In what ways does Ba’s novel mirror these classic works, and in what ways does it stand apart?

Ramatoulaye undergoes many changes over the course of the novel. Chart her social, physical, and emotional changes from her late adolescence to the novel’s conclusion. In what ways has she grown as a character?

Explore the novel’s relationship with religion. How does Rama’s Islamic faith affect her outlook and her choices? What impact do non-Muslim characters have in this book?

In your opinion, was Rama right to turn down Daouda Dieng’s offer of marriage? Was her decision to sacrifice companionship and security for a sense of independence a good choice? Explain your answer.

Towards the end of the novel, Ba paints a clear picture of Senegal’s next generation—Rama’s children. What do Rama’s children tell us about Senegal’s future? Consider young Aissatou, Daba, and Rama’s rebellious middle daughters in your response.

Based on what you have read in So Long a Letter, is a polygamous society justifiable? Explain your reasoning, drawing upon the experiences of Rama, Aissatou, and Binetou as evidence.

In So Long a Letter, Ba subverts typical tropes of African literature by focusing on African women, rather than African men or white Westerners. Why do you think Ba chose to focus so heavily on friendships and familial ties between women?

This novel contains two characters named Aissatou—one is Rama’s best friend, the other is her teenage daughter. What do these two women share? In what ways are they different?