Yoruba Girl Dancing (Page 41-81)

Title: Yoruba Girl Dancing
Author: Simi Bedford
Page 41-81

Summary
Several days had passed after Remi’s grandfather’s funeral. At last, Bigmama came to visit the depressed Foster family. Bigmama was the ex-wife of Remi’s grandfather. She apologized of being sick and unable to come to the funeral. Remi’s described the complex atmosphere between her two grandmothers. Anyhow, the awkward silence ceased by Remi’s grandma curious questions about England. Bigmama’s responds described how magnificent life in England was that Remi’s father thought of an idea, the idea to send Remi study abroad in an English boarding school. Remi had no other choice but to please her father. According to the story, studying abroad was a great privilege and honored her family’s name. But, Remi felt depressed to apart from her family. On the other hand, there were three people that came with her to England. They were Bigmama, Aunt Sylvia and Aunt Grace. With the help of her step-grandmother, Bigmama, Remi managed to pack her belongings and departed from Africa at the age of six. After Remi arrived in London, she was with Bigmama several days. Remi met Bigmama’s older sister Aunt Madge and her husband Uncle Reg. Apparently; Remi narrated how wonderful they were and how deep she became attach to them. Then, Bigmama made several arrangement for Remi’s stay in her new school such as buying the uniform and leaving her with Aunt Grace. Aunt Grace became an art college student. She was responsible of Remi. Both of them came to Remi’s new school, it was isolated and obscure. After all, they came a week earlier for the classes to start. Aunt Grace had no other choice but to leave Remi with Miss Bowles, headmistress, and Miss Valentine, vice-headmistress. Since Grace was a busy college student and other relatives were also busy to take care of her for a week. Therefore, Remi remained in the lonely and cold school until the school would actually begin.

Quote
“People here will find it very odd that I should be your grandmother, because you are black and I am white…from now on I want you to call me Aunty” (Bedford 61).

Reaction
With Bedford’s great descriptions of Remi’s experience of moving into a new country, England, the storyline becomes more interesting. The plot is chronological. The narrator’s mood turns deep and realistic. About the six year old Remi moving to England and acknowledging a new culture is hard for her. The new atmosphere and the cold weather have enticed her to miss her sweet and warm home in Africa. The quote above foreshadows miseries to the narrator. Since the narrator is a young African girl staying in an England. The quote describes Bigmama’s concern about their apperance in public. Basically, Bigmama puts a border between them while they are in the public. She embarrass to walk with Remi. Racism and discrimination will become a theme in the book. Remi will encounter conflicts with her classmates because of her unique appearance.