She wished it but she did not dream it, because she dreamed only of achievable things.
Why do you think Bappa Moussa is trying to manipulate Kadi into marrying Saidou?
Do you think that Amadou will call for Kadi to join him in America? Do you think that is how she ends up there?
Adichie draws parallels between Zikora and Kadi’s first pregnancies. What do you take away from this?
Kadi believes that Saidou has brought a curse onto the family by drinking alcohol which is against her religion. Do you think there is some truth to this considering that she miscarried and then lost her first baby? Do you think that the curse then died with Sadiou when he passed?
Do you think Sadiou should have been punished?
What did you think of the Monsieur and Kadi sending some of the forgotten things to her family? Did you think she would get caught?
Why do you think the government was after the Monsieur?
Kadi mentions that she only dreams of achievable things. Do you think her owning her own restaurant in then achievable? Do you think this dream will actualise?
Something unspeakable happens to Kadi while she works at François restaurant. And instead of the man feeling shame for what he had done, Kadi carried that burden. Why do you think women tend to carry the burning shame instead of men? Is it because women are taught to carry the burden of mens wrongs?
What do you think of Amadou showing up after all these years? What do you think of his first interaction with Binta, Kadi’s daughter?
Amadou informs Kadi that she should bring up the FGM that she went through as a young girl to achieve asylum to America. Amadou then says that she should mention that she wants to prevent Binta from going through the same fate. Why do you think Kadi wants to cut Binta knowing of the pain? To maintain the tradition? Do you think she will go through with it when the time comes?
Amadou wants Kadi to lie about being raped. To tell a story of another person’s experience without having known that she already went through her own experience. Through luck or fate, Kadi did not have to share the story. Do you think Kadi will ever tell Amadou of her experience?
Kadi and her daughter have gotten their papers and just when things are looking up Amadou tells Kadi that they must wait to be married. Why do you think he has introduced this delay?
Kadi later learns that Amadou had a child with another woman. She is hurt that he did not think to share this her. Why do you think Amadou did not tell Kadi sooner? Do you think Amadou will see his child? How do you think that would impact his relationship that he is developing with Binta?
What do you think of Kadi’s decision to move to Washington?
Kadi’s life in America is vastly different from her life in Guinea. What do you think of the contrast between the two lives she has lived?
5 responses to “Dream Count – Day Five”
-
Bappa Moussa manipulated Kadi into marrying Saidou as he had a job, a home and facilities to take care of Kadi but also Bappa Moussa felt that Saidou would help them financially.
Yes I think Amadou comes back this is how she ends up in America.
The difference in the pregnancies was the choice they each made Zikora chose to end her pregnancy and Kadi lost her first baby. Kadi felt the loss Zikora didn’t.
No I just think this is their belief system, in saying that our minds are powerful and what we believe we can achieve, so her beliefs may have played some role.
No I dont think Saidou should have been punished.
I was concerned that Kadie would get caught by the wife, relieved that she wasn’t.
I think Monsieur must have been doing something illegal against the government as they search the house, they were looking for something.
We all need to dream and hope for more. Kadi enjoyed cooking and owning her own restaurant would be the next step. if the right place at the right time time she may have her own restaurant.
The men don’t feel the guilt as at the time they don’t see the wrong. The women has been abused and violated at the time and they always question themselves as to why it happened, they often see it as their fault and this is why they carry the burden.
I never thought he would show up again and was surprised when he did. I love that he just accepted Binta.
It’s what Kadi has been taught it is the path a girl must take otherwise she will no man will marry her, this is Kadi’s belief and why even though she has experienced the pain she want her daughter to do the same. Going to America will hopefully open her eyes to the brutality of the tradition and i don’t believe Binta will be cut.
I don’t think she will tell Amadou about her experience as she still feels the shame of it.
Amadou was happy with just having them with him, there was no reason or motivation to get married yet.
If Amadou told Kadi sooner that her had a child wiht another women she may no have come to America with him. Amadou doesn’t have a relationship with the mother of his child so he probably won’t see his child unless he want to meet hi father when he is older.
I don’t think it will effect his relationship with Binta.Moving gives opportunities for new beginnings.
In Guinea Kadi and her family were very poor and they had very little. In Guinea she had to follow all their traditions, it was a much tougher lifestyle. In America she had a better home she had a secure job, she was able to help her family by sending money home for her siblings education. Kadi had more freedom. Being in America gave both Kadi and her family a better life.
-
1. After the failure to marry Kadiatou off to her relative, Bappa Moussa is anxious to rid the family of this shame. It is irrelevant that Kadiatou was not the one who married someone else, the fault and the blame must be hers. Therefore, to restore the family’s reputation, she must be married and taken away.
2. Amadou is a dreamer. He will only remember Kadi when he needs her (or someone like her). I still think they will find eachother and this is how Kadi comes to America.
3. Zikora’s first pregnancy was an unwanted invasion, while Kadi’s was welcome and anticipated. They both ended up losing their “babies” – one intentionally, the other not so. The aftermath of their losses does not reflect their personalities as we know them: Kadi is angry and bitter (especially towards her husband), while Z is carefree.
4. I personally don’t believe in curses, but the mind is very powerful. Sometimes we manifest our beliefs and this is what Kadiatou does: Saidou’s curse did not affect her prior to discovering his vices. Having said this, I would like to think the curse dies with Saidou.
5. No, I don’t think Saidou should be punished. Having independence, even in a relationship, should never be a sin. The real issue is that he hid his truth from Kadi and she could not protect herself. What Saidou has done is between himself and his god.
6. I was surprised that Kadi could be capable of deception, even the innocent kind. It is true that the Monsieur would probably have acquiesced to her sending things home because he was fond of her, but the lack of proper consent is disconcerting. Monsieur is kind, but Madame less so. If anybody were catch Kadi, it would be her. However, I don’t think she would notice anything amiss.
7. I can’t think of why the government was after the Monsieur except some political upheaval. These are people he has entertained at his home… The whole affair reeks of corruption.
8. Ha! Kadi is a liar when she says she only dreams of achievable things. Every dream is scary and slightly unattainable, otherwise it is not a dream. Her dream of owning a restaurant is achievable and I hope it materialises.
9. Women tend to internalise a lot! Even when we talk about things, we mull them over in our heads constantly. Society has put such a stigma on assaulted women that the shame is almost automatic (and never deserved). The questions are always about the victim: what was she wearing? What did she do to lead him on? Disnshe stop it? etc. It is troubling and deeply unfair. We should all do better.
10. Amadou’s suddenly appearance into Kadi’s life was jarring, to say the least. There was no preamble: one minute he was absent; the next, he is smiling and carrying on like nothing happened. I hated him for that, but I also understood that this is who he is: a charismatic dreamer used to charming and cajoling. His first interaction with little Binta humanised him a bit: the raw emotion (which he quickly brushed off). Even the little girl was charmed by him.
11. Kadi is very traditional and a creature of habit. She will repeat the same mistakes because she believes the myths behind them. If she maintains the tradition, this would protect her and her daughter. However, I don’t think she would really do it.
12. I don’t think Amadou and Kadi’s relationship is necessarily a companionable one: yes, they love each other but they each hold on to their own truths too much. For this reason, I don’t think she will ever tell him about her own assault.
13. His dishonesty is at odds with his affection for Kadi. He knows his faults, but does not wish to change them. Knowing Kadi’s convictions, his reluctance to marry could be selfless or selfish…
14. Amadou is very irresponsible and shirks his duties whenever he can. He did not want the burden of telling Kadi the truth and risk he walking away from him. Had she not discovered this herself, he never would have said anything. I also doubt he will be present in his son’s life. Hiding something this big, especially from someone as meek and tradition-minded as Kadi is akin to relationship suicide. Their relationship might not survive.
15. It was very courageous of Kadi to seek some independence and move to Washington with Binta. After discovering Amadou’s secret, she realised that she might have to protect herself and her daughter. Branching out on her own was the first step.
16. She was younger when she lived in Guinea. Decisions were made for her: who to marry and what to do with her own body. America has afforded her an opportunity for self-autonomy and freedom: the younger Kadiatou would’ve never left Amadou for Washington. Kadi is finally meeting herself!
-
1. He has money and can help her family.
2. I don’t think so
3.
4. I don’t believe in curses, so I don’t really have an opinion. If anything the mine is responsible for both deaths – bad quality air and an accident.
5. I don’t think he was to blame for the baby’s death.
6. The monsieur is probably okay, but her stealing things is wrong. The initial things he said she could have were fine, but her taking advantage is not.
7. Maybe he was a thief too, stealing the government money, and that’s why he was so wealthy.
8. If she works hard enough, can afford it, yes, anything is possible.
9. Because Francois doesn’t think he did anything wrong. I think because women (Kadi) aren’t asked for consent, it’s just taken. Women tend to carry the mental load more often than not.
10. I think he was over familiar with her, and I think he’s up to something. I don’t trust him. More than what’s revealed in this chapter
11. It’s tradition, it’s what she knows and I don’t know if she has the courage to go against it. Her morals and beliefs are a bit twisted and contradictory at times.
12. I don’t think she will, it’s her shame, I don’t think she’ll share it. Even though it obviously wasn’t her fault.
13. Maybe to protect her from his misdeeds? Or Maybe he’s already married? I’m not sure..
14. He may still be involved with the other woman, or the relationship was more serious than he let on. I don’t know if he’ll see his child.
15. It may be a smart move, we’ll find out in time.
16. America is freeer, even the poor are wealthier than some of the rich back home. The rules/laws vary too.
-
1. As the first-born daughter, Kadi remaining unmarried would bring shame to the family in their culture. In many societies, marriage is still seen as an achievement, especially for women. But beyond that, this was also a financial move on Bappa Moussa’s part—securing Kadi’s future and, by extension, the family’s stability.
2. Yes, that seems likely.
3. Pain tolerance plays a significant role, but so does cultural expectation. The contrast highlights how different societies treat pregnancy, motherhood, and bodily autonomy.
4. It’s a matter of religious and cultural belief. For Kadi and her family, this could have felt like their truth. If they believed in the curse, they might have also believed it ended with him.
5. No
6. It didn’t cross my mind that she would get caught because she mentioned that the wife rarely checked the bedrooms.
7. He was clearly involved in something the government didn’t approve of. It was fortunate that he fled before they got to him.
8. Yes. Unlike trying to change how people see you, building a business is within her control. It takes determination, but it’s possible.
9. It’s not just about being taught to carry the burden—it’s about the power dynamics at play. Men have long held control over women’s bodies and have been conditioned to believe they have a right to them. Even when women speak out, they’re often blamed, whether for how they dressed, how they behaved, or for “leading him on.” Society protects men and burdens women with the shame.
10. Having read so many stories about immigration, I understand how hard it is just to get settled. Their interaction warmed my heart.
11. Kadi is deeply rooted in tradition, and she sees it as a duty rather than a choice. However, now that she’s in America, I’d like to believe she won’t go through with it. Binta also seems like an intelligent child, and perhaps she will grow up knowing that FGM serves no benefit to a woman’s health.
12. It would take a miracle for her to share. She has carried this shame for so long that she vowed never to tell anyone.
13. My first thought was that he was already married. Otherwise, there’s no real reason to wait. Or maybe he didn’t want Kadi too involved in his life, especially if he had things going on that he didn’t want her to see.
14. He probably feared how Kadi would react, or maybe he felt ashamed. I hope he gets to bond with his child the same way he has with Binta, if not more. I don’t think it would change his relationship with Binta, though.
15. I was so happy for her! She was finally becoming her own woman on her own terms.
16. I understand the direction the author is going for, but I dislike how America is often portrayed as the ultimate escape, where everything falls into place, while African countries are depicted primarily through the lens of poverty. There’s more to both realities.
Anyway, the contrast is striking, and it highlights the opportunities and struggles that come with starting over in a new country. While America offers Kadi a fresh start and the chance to build a different life, it’s not necessarily a perfect escape. Guinea had its own beauty, culture, and sense of belonging, even if certain traditions made life difficult for her. The portrayal reminds me of how migration is often seen as a solution, but in reality, it comes with its own set of challenges.
-
1. I think partly because he wanted her to just be married and also wanted her to marry someone that has a job and can take care of her and possibly Binta too.
2. I definitely think he will.
3. That experiences are never the same. Each person’s journey is different. Some have it easier than others. I think this is necessary to show that things aren’t always clear cut.
4. I don’t know what to believe when it comes to that curse I do however know that there is some truth to these things and sometimes they don’t stop when a person dies but are past on to another member of the family.
5. No I don’t think so.
6. I definitely got scared for her because sometimes the minute you think people won’t notice is actually the time they start.
7. Most people with that kind of money have some weird things going on. He probably stepped on the wrong toes.
8. I think it’s definitely achievable. She is someone that has shown that she takes her dreams very seriously.
9. Not really. A person that violates you doesn’t care and so they won’t carry that. But someone who is violated carries that forever and finds it hard believing that they weren’t the reason that thing happened to them.
10. I was just happy that he treated her as his own.
11. Kadi is very traditional and even though she knows the pain of cutting she will probably still want her daughter to do it because it is tradition.
12. I think it will take a lot for her to tell him but should they plan to be together she probably will need to be honest at some point.
13. He probably already knew that he would be going to jail soon.
14. I think he didn’t tell her because he wanted to keep those two worlds separate. But I hope he does right by his son so that Binta doesn’t grow up feeling like she took him away from his son.
15. I’m just glad that she was willing to try all that there was to make a living (safely)
16. In Guinea she was a traditionalist that came from an underprivileged background while in America she gets to write her own story and make life what she wants it to be.
Leave a Reply