“We Need New Names” by NoViolet Bulawayo is a novel set in Zimbabwe that follows the story of a group of young friends who leave their homes and move to the United States for a better life. The book chronicles their experiences as they adapt to their new surroundings and learn to survive in a harsh and dangerous world. The two major challenges in the novel are the loss of innocence and the inequality of opportunity in life.
One of the main themes of the novel is the loss of innocence. Bulawayo (2013) shows that the protagonist, Darling, is just a child when the story begins. However, she has to grow up and face the harsh realities of life. The protagonist witnesses violence and poverty and makes choices no child should ever have to make. As the novel progresses, Darling slowly loses her childlike perspective; by the end, she is an entirely different person. It is also challenging for the reader to watch young characters experience such horrific things. However, the novel is hopeful, and it shows that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The inequality of opportunity is another challenge for the characters. In Zimbabwe, the education system is not as developed as in other countries, and many of the characters in the novel do not have the option to attend school (Bulawayo 2013). They need help to get the skills and knowledge to find good jobs. As a result, they struggle to break this cycle of poverty and crime.
To conclude, the novel “We need new names” by NoViolet Bulawayo highlights social issues and demonstrates how the protagonist matures too soon. The loss of innocence is a significant challenge for the characters in the novel. The inequality of opportunity is another major problem that Darling and her friends face, and it is one of the reasons why they are forced to leave their homes.
Reference
Bulawayo, NoViolet. 2013. We Need New Names: A Novel. New York: Hachette Book Group.