Bessie Head's " The Collector of Treasures".
In society today, separation and divorce is becoming a prominent issue. Women are let to conduct the household; and sons are left to be the man of the house. In Bessie Head's, "The Collector of Treasures", she explores the tragic outcome of an abusive marriage and her traditional role in an African village in Botswana, Africa during the 1960s.
First, an abusive marriage may be one of physical, emotional, or spiritual abuse. In Head's short story, the protagonist, Dikeledi, was a victim of all of these abusive categories. For example, the author states, " You know, my husband used to kick me between the legs when he wanted that" (qtd. in Lim and Spencer 28). Some men expect women to bow them to them as if they are rulers over many. Dikeledi was a victim of domination in her marriage. Garesego expected to leave and return home whenever he was prompted to do so. Dikeledi stood her ground and let the village and her husband know that sex does not dominate anything. For example, Head states, " With precision and skill of her hard-working hands, she grasped hold of his genital and cut them off with one stroke"(Lim and Spencer 40). She lost her family and the rest of her life after being sentenced to prison for the murder of her unfaithful husband.
Secondly, even without the presence of her husband, Dikeledi still managed to take care of her family. As stated, " Dikeledi had a number of skills- she could knit, sew, and weave baskets" (Lim and Spencer 28). A strong woman is able to provide for herself and her family through any circumstances. Dikeledi was called "the collector of treasures" because she collected many friends and goods with her skills. She gained an even greater treasure when she earned her dignity back after taking something from her husband that gave him power. In this village everyone stood by each other, which was traditional and typical of an African village.
