Chinasa

Outer characterization

Chinasa is a fifteen-year-old girl that the narrator takes care of when she is found injured because of bombings. Chinasa is described as “thin, small for her age” which is likely because she was suffering the consequences of war and was malnourished. The narrator also describes her as having an expressive face and seeming older than she was. 

After the war, Chinasa becomes a professor of literature, gets married, and has three children. She is also appointed as the Nigerian education minister. 

Inner characterization

Despite the situation and her age, Chinasa wants to appear brave: “She pretended she was not in pain when I cleaned her wounds with home made gin, but I saw the tears in her eyes”. She is also kind and eager to help: “She ...