Doris Lessing’s debut novel, “The Grass is Singing,” is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that explores complex themes such as race, gender, and power dynamics. Set in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the 1940s, the novel tells the story of Mary Turner, a white farmer’s wife who is found murdered on her property. Through the character of Mary and her relationships with those around her, Lessing offers a searing commentary on the societal and cultural norms of the time.
At its core, “The Grass is Singing” is an allegory for the destructive nature of racism and the ways in which it can poison even the most intimate relationships. The novel explores the ways in which white settlers in Southern Rhodesia relied on the exploitation and oppression of black laborers to maintain their way of life, and the devastating consequences that ensued. Through the character of Mary, Lessing offers a critique of the ways in which white women were complicit in this system of oppression, and the ways in which they were often denied agency and autonomy in their own lives.
Overall, “The Grass is Singing” is a haunting and deeply affecting work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its powerful allegory and incisive social commentary, the novel offers a searing critique of the ways in which race, gender, and power intersect to shape our lives and relationships.
Overview of ‘The Grass Is Singing’
“The Grass Is Singing” is the first novel by Doris Lessing, published in 1950. The novel is set in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the 1940s and deals with the racial politics between whites and blacks in that country, which was then a British Colony.
The novel follows the life of Mary Turner, the wife of Dick Turner, who has been murdered, and a “houseboy” has confessed to the crime. Mary and Dick are poor and do not socialize with the other white settlers in their farming district. When Mary’s body is discovered, the Turners’ neighbor, Charlie Slatter, sends a note to the local police.
The novel explores several poignant topics, including human relationships, power struggles, and the effects of racism. It is a powerful allegory that highlights the complexities of race relations in Southern Africa during the colonial period.
Symbolism in the Novel
The Grass and Its Metaphorical Significance
The title of the novel itself is a symbol that represents the African landscape, which is characterized by vast, open spaces of grassland. The grass can be seen as a metaphor for the African people who are oppressed and exploited by the white colonizers. The grass is also a symbol of the natural world, which is indifferent to human suffering. The novel shows how the grass, like the African people, is resilient and survives despite the harsh conditions.
Character Representations
The characters in the novel are also symbolic of various themes and ideas. For example, Mary Turner can be seen as a symbol of the white colonizers who are unable to understand or appreciate the African culture. She is also a symbol of the limitations of the white society, which is unable to provide a meaningful existence for its members. Similarly, Moses, the black servant, can be seen as a symbol of the African people who are exploited and oppressed by the white colonizers.
The novel also uses other symbols such as the Turner’s dilapidated farmhouse, which represents the decay and decline of the white colonial society. Tobacco, which is the most profitable crop in Southern Rhodesia, symbolizes the greed and exploitation of the white colonizers. The seasons are also heavily symbolic, representing the phases of Mary’s life and her happiness and sadness.
Themes and Motifs
Colonialism and Its Effects
The Grass is Singing is set in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the time of British colonial rule, and explores the impact of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. The novel portrays the rigid class system of British society, which is mirrored in the social structure of Southern Rhodesia. The white colonizers are portrayed as oppressive and exploitative, while the black natives are portrayed as powerless and marginalized. The novel also explores the psychological effects of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized, depicting the ways in which colonialism dehumanizes and alienates both groups.
Gender Dynamics
The Grass is Singing also explores the gender dynamics of colonial society. The novel portrays the ways in which gender roles are constructed and enforced in Southern Rhodesia, with women being relegated to subordinate positions in both the domestic and public spheres. The novel also explores the ways in which gender roles are complicated by race, with white women occupying a privileged position vis-à-vis black women. The novel’s protagonist, Mary Turner, is a complex character who defies traditional gender norms, and the novel explores the ways in which her non-conformity is both liberating and damaging.
Isolation and Alienation
The theme of isolation and alienation is central to The Grass is Singing. The novel’s protagonist, Mary Turner, is a deeply isolated and alienated character, who is unable to connect with others on a meaningful level. The novel explores the ways in which Mary’s isolation is both a product of her own psychology and the social structures of colonial society. The novel also explores the ways in which isolation and alienation impact other characters in the novel, and the ways in which these themes are related to broader social and historical processes.
Narrative Structure and Allegory
Narrative Perspective
The Grass is Singing is a novel that employs a third-person omniscient narrative perspective. This narrative perspective allows the author to present the story from different angles and to explore the thoughts and motives of different characters. The use of this narrative perspective is crucial in the allegorical interpretation of the novel as it allows the author to present different perspectives on the themes of race, power, and identity.
Use of Foreshadowing
The novel makes use of foreshadowing to create a sense of anticipation and to prepare the reader for the events that are to come. The use of foreshadowing is particularly evident in the opening chapter of the novel, where the murder of Mary Turner is announced in the newspaper. This announcement serves as a foreshadowing of the events that will unfold in the novel.
The use of foreshadowing is also evident in the way the novel is structured. The novel is divided into three parts, each of which is marked by a change in the narrative perspective. This change in perspective serves as a foreshadowing of the events that will occur in the subsequent part of the novel. The use of foreshadowing is an effective literary technique that allows the author to create a sense of anticipation and to prepare the reader for the events that are to come.
Historical Context
Rhodesian Setting
The Grass is Singing takes place in Southern Rhodesia, a British colony in Southern Africa during the 1940s. At the time, the country was marked by racial tensions between the white settlers and the indigenous black population. The novel’s setting provides a backdrop for exploring the complex relationships between the two groups, as well as the impact of colonialism on the region.
Post-Colonial Critique
Doris Lessing’s novel can be read as a post-colonial critique of the British Empire’s impact on Southern Africa. The novel highlights the destructive nature of colonialism, which disrupted the traditional social and economic systems of the region. The novel also explores the psychological effects of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized, as well as the legacy of colonialism that continues to affect the region today.
Character Analysis
Mary Turner
Mary Turner is a complex character in the novel “The Grass is Singing” by Doris Lessing. The novel begins with Mary Turner’s death, and the plot largely revolves around her character. Mary is the daughter of white South African-born parents. Her childhood is blighted by her father’s alcoholism and her mother’s endless misery. Mary grows up to be a schoolteacher, but she is not satisfied with her life. She marries Dick Turner, a farmer, and moves to his farm. Mary is unhappy in her marriage and feels trapped. She has an affair with a black man, Moses, and becomes pregnant. Mary’s affair with Moses is a turning point in the novel. It reveals the racial tensions and prejudices that exist in South African society. Mary’s character is a symbol of the white colonizers who are unable to adapt to the changing society.
Dick Turner
Dick Turner is Mary’s husband. He is a farmer who is struggling to make ends meet. Dick is portrayed as a man who is unable to understand his wife’s feelings. He is emotionally distant and is unable to communicate with Mary. Dick is a symbol of the white colonizers who are unable to adapt to the changing society. He is unable to accept the fact that his wife has had an affair with a black man. Dick’s character is a reflection of the white colonizers who are unwilling to change and adapt to the new realities of South African society.
Moses
Moses is a black man who works on Dick Turner’s farm. He has an affair with Mary and becomes the father of her child. Moses is a symbol of the black population who are oppressed and exploited by the white colonizers. He is a victim of the racial prejudices that exist in South African society. Moses’s character is a reflection of the black population who are struggling to survive in a society that is dominated by the white colonizers.
Literary Devices
Imagery and Language
Doris Lessing’s The Grass is Singing is a novel rich in vivid and evocative imagery. The language used in the novel is both poetic and descriptive, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world of the story. The use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the harshness of life in Southern Rhodesia, where the story takes place. For example, the description of the Turner’s farm as “dilapidated but somehow never collapsed” is a powerful image that conveys the sense of decay and decline that pervades the novel.
Irony and Contrast
Irony and contrast are also important literary devices used in The Grass is Singing. The novel is full of ironic situations, such as Mary’s desire to escape from the farm, despite the fact that it is the only place where she can truly be herself. The contrast between Mary’s privileged background and the harsh realities of life in Southern Rhodesia is also a recurring theme in the novel. This contrast is particularly evident in the character of Mary, who is both a victim of her own privileged upbringing and the harsh realities of life in Southern Rhodesia.