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Give the summary of the second part of the memory of departure written by adulrazak gurnah
Give the summary of the first part of the memory of departure written by adulrazak gurnah?
Give the summary of the second part of the memory of departure written by adulrazak gurnah
Give the summary of the first part of the memory of departure written by adulrazak gurnah?
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Dec 27, 2023
The first part of "The Memory of Departure" by Abdulrazak Gurnah introduces the reader to the protagonist, Salim, a young man living in Zanzibar during the 1950s. Salim is a member of the Swahili community, a group of people of mixed African and Arab descent. The story begins with Salim's childhood memories of his father, who was a respected and wealthy merchant. Salim's father had multiple wives and children, and Salim's mother was his favorite wife.
Salim's father dies when he is still a child, leaving behind a complicated legacy. Salim's mother struggles to maintain their family's status and wealth after his father's death. She takes in boarders to make ends meet, and Salim grows up in a house filled with strangers. Despite the hardships, Salim's mother is determined to provide him with a good education.
As Salim grows older, he becomes more aware of the racial and social divisions in Zanzibar. The Arab community, to which his father belonged, holds a higher status than the Swahili community. Salim's mother encourages him to pursue his education and rise above these divisions. Salim attends a prestigious Arab school, where he excels academically.
However, Salim's education also exposes him to the political tensions of the time. Zanzibar is on the brink of independence from British colonial rule, and there is growing unrest among the different ethnic and religious groups. Salim becomes involved in student activism and joins a group advocating for independence.
The first part of the novel ends with Salim's decision to leave Zanzibar and pursue further studies in England. He hopes that by gaining a higher education, he can contribute to the development and progress of his homeland. Salim's departure marks a significant turning point in his life, as he leaves behind his family, friends, and the familiar world of Zanzibar to embark on a new journey of self-discovery and growth.