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General Introduction
Ama Ata Aidoo’s short story "Everything Counts," part of her collection No Sweetness Here and Other Stories, is a compelling exploration of post-independence Ghana, particularly the cultural identity struggles and the influence of Western norms.
Plot
Ama Ata Aidoo's short story "Everything Counts," found in her collection No Sweetness Here and Other Stories, presents a narrative that delves into the cultural and psychological effects of colonialism in post-independence Ghana. The plot is structured around the internal and external conflicts of the protagonist, Sissie, a Ghanaian woman who returns home after studying abroad. The story unfolds through her experiences, observations, and reflections on the changing cultural landscape of her homeland.
Exposition
The story begins with Sissie, the protagonist, returning to Ghana after studying economics abroad. As she acclimates to life back home, she notices the pervasive influence of Western culture, particularly in the form of beauty standards that dictate that women should wear wigs and alter their appearances to resemble European ideals. Sissie, who is educated and has spent time in a Western country, initially dismisses these trends as trivial, unable to see their significance in the broader context of cultural identity and national development.
Rising Action
As the story progresses, Sissie’s observations deepen. She begins to recognize that the widespread use of wigs among Ghanaian women is not merely a fashion statement but a manifestation of a deeper, more troubling issue: the internalization of Western standards of beauty and success. This realization is triggered by conversations with her "brothers"—a group of African men who advocate for the rejection of Western practices as part of a cultural and political revolution. Sissie is initially skeptical of their arguments, believing that there are more pressing issues to address than superficial concerns like wigs.
Climax
The climax of the story occurs during a beauty contest, which Sissie attends with growing unease. The contest, intended to celebrate African beauty, instead becomes a showcase for Western ideals. The winner of the contest is a mixed-race woman with naturally silky hair, a stark contrast to the wigs worn by the other contestants. This moment crystallizes Sissie’s understanding of how deeply her society has been affected by colonialism and Western cultural dominance. The contest's outcome is a painful reminder that even in a celebration of African beauty, Western standards prevail, reducing authentic African identity to a caricature.
Falling Action
In the aftermath of the beauty contest, Sissie’s internal conflict intensifies. She reflects on her own complicity in the cultural erosion she witnesses. Her earlier dismissal of the significance of wigs now seems naïve, and she begins to understand that every aspect of cultural assimilation, no matter how small, contributes to a broader loss of identity. This realization is underscored by her growing sense of alienation, both from the Western culture she once admired and from the traditional Ghanaian culture she is struggling to reconnect with.
Resolution
The story concludes with Sissie coming to a painful but necessary understanding: the revolution her "brothers" speak of is not just political or economic, but also cultural and psychological. The wigs, the bleaching creams, the beauty contests—all are part of a larger battle for the soul of her nation. Sissie realizes that true progress for Ghana cannot come from simply adopting Western practices, but from a genuine revaluation of African values and identity. The title, "Everything Counts," encapsulates this realization, emphasizing that even the smallest choices and actions can have profound implications for a culture struggling to define itself in a post-colonial world.
Plot Structure and Development
The plot of "Everything Counts" is structured to highlight the gradual awakening of the protagonist to the complexities of cultural assimilation and the loss of identity. Through a series of encounters and reflections, Sissie moves from a position of detachment to one of deep concern and understanding. The story's structure—moving from external observations to internal realizations—mirrors Sissie’s journey toward self-awareness and cultural consciousness. Each stage of the plot builds on the previous one, creating a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking, culminating in a resolution that leaves the reader with a sense of the profound challenges faced by post-colonial societies like Ghana
Themes of the Story
Ama Ata Aidoo’s short story "Everything Counts" explores several significant themes that reflect the post-colonial experience in Ghana, particularly focusing on identity, cultural assimilation, and the impact of Western values on African societies. Below is an elaboration on the key themes present in the story:
1. Cultural Identity and Assimilation
One of the most prominent themes in "Everything Counts" is the struggle between maintaining cultural identity and the pressures to assimilate into Western norms. The story vividly portrays how Western beauty standards have infiltrated Ghanaian society, leading women to wear wigs and bleach their skin in an effort to conform. The protagonist initially dismisses these practices as trivial, but she eventually realizes that these superficial changes signify a deeper loss of cultural identity. The wig, as a symbol, represents the broader theme of cultural erosion, where the adoption of foreign practices is seen as necessary for social acceptance and upward mobility, even at the cost of losing one’s true self.
2. The Psychological Impact of Colonialism
Aidoo's story delves into the psychological scars left by colonialism, particularly the inferiority complex that drives the characters to emulate Western ideals. This theme is poignantly illustrated in the protagonist’s gradual realization that the obsession with wigs and skin bleaching is not just about appearance, but about a deeper lack of confidence in one’s own cultural identity. The beauty contest, where a mixed-race woman with naturally silky hair wins, underscores the internalized belief that African features are inherently inferior. This reflects Frantz Fanon's concept of "black skin, white masks," where colonized people adopt the colonizer’s values and standards, often to their own detriment.
3. Materialism and Consumerism
"Everything Counts" also critiques the rise of materialism and consumerism in post-colonial Ghana. The story highlights how international commerce and the influx of Western goods have created a consumer culture that prioritizes appearances and material wealth over cultural integrity. The protagonist's shock at the extent to which wigs have become ubiquitous among Ghanaian women reflects her broader concern about the negative impact of uncritical consumption of foreign goods. The narrative suggests that this consumerism is not only economically damaging but also contributes to the erosion of traditional values and cultural pride.
4. Gender and Beauty Standards
The story critically examines the intersection of gender and beauty, particularly how Western beauty standards have marginalized African aesthetics. For the protagonist, the societal pressure to wear wigs and conform to a Eurocentric ideal of beauty is emblematic of the broader struggle faced by African women in asserting their identity in a male-dominated, post-colonial society. The narrative highlights how these beauty standards are enforced not only by Western influence but also by African men, who may perpetuate these ideals through their preferences and expectations. The protagonist’s eventual rejection of these standards signifies a reclaiming of her cultural and personal identity, though not without significant internal conflict.
5. Revolution and Resistance
Aidoo subtly weaves the theme of revolution and resistance into the narrative. The protagonist’s “brothers” argue that the rejection of wigs and other Western beauty practices is part of a broader revolutionary effort to reclaim African identity and resist cultural imperialism. While the protagonist initially resists this idea, viewing it as an overreaction, she eventually comes to understand that even small acts of resistance, such as rejecting the wig, can be significant. The story thus suggests that true revolution begins with the mind and the rejection of imposed values in favor of authentic cultural practices.
6. Economic Exploitation and Globalization
Another key theme is the economic exploitation inherent in globalization. The story critiques the way developed nations export second-hand goods and outdated practices to less developed countries, often at a high cost. The protagonist's observations about the influx of Western goods into Ghana, from "second-hand clothes" to wigs made from "dead white folk's" hair, underscore the exploitative nature of these economic exchanges. This theme connects to the broader critique of how global capitalism perpetuates dependency and undermines local economies and cultural practices.
7. The Role of Education
Education, particularly Western education, is both a tool for enlightenment and a source of conflict in the story. The protagonist, educated abroad, initially believes that her education has made her more rational and less susceptible to what she views as trivial concerns like wigs. However, her education also distances her from her cultural roots, creating a sense of alienation. The story suggests that education, while valuable, must be balanced with an understanding and appreciation of one’s cultural heritage.
In "Everything Counts," Ama Ata Aidoo masterfully critiques the post-colonial condition in Ghana, highlighting the complex interplay between cultural identity, assimilation, materialism, and resistance. Through the protagonist’s journey, the story reveals the deep psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism, urging a reevaluation of what progress and modernity truly mean for African societies. The themes of the story resonate far beyond its immediate setting, offering insights into the broader struggles of post-colonial nations grappling with the legacy of imperialism and the challenges of globalization.
Characters
The protagonist is a well-educated Ghanaian woman who undergoes significant internal conflict. She is torn between her Western education and the traditional values she feels are being eroded by the adoption of foreign practices. Secondary characters, including her "brothers" who argue against these Western influences, serve as voices of cultural preservation, though they also reveal their own limitations and frustrations. The beauty contest participants embody the societal pressure to conform to Western standards, highlighting the widespread internalization of these ideals.
Setting
Set in post-independence Ghana, the story reflects the country's struggle with neocolonialism and the pervasive influence of Western culture. The setting plays a critical role in the narrative, as it underscores the tension between tradition and modernity, as well as the socio-political climate that fuels the protagonist’s inner conflict.
Point of View
The story is told from a third-person limited perspective, closely following the protagonist's thoughts and emotions. This narrative choice allows readers to engage deeply with her internal struggles, providing insight into the broader cultural conflicts at play.
Tone and Mood
The tone is reflective and critical, with the protagonist questioning the superficial changes brought by modernity. The mood is often somber, particularly when the protagonist realizes the extent of cultural erosion and the internal conflicts faced by those trying to balance tradition with contemporary influences.
Style and Language
Aidoo’s style is rich with symbolism and metaphor, particularly in her descriptions of wigs and skin bleaching as symbols of cultural loss. Her language is straightforward but layered with meaning, often using dialogue to reveal deeper cultural tensions.
Symbolism and Imagery
The wig is a central symbol, representing the loss of cultural identity and the desire to conform to Western standards. The imagery of "patchy skin" and "silky hair" juxtaposes natural African beauty with imposed European ideals, highlighting the conflict between self-acceptance and societal pressure.
Conflict
The central conflict is both internal and external. The protagonist struggles with her own identity, torn between her Western education and her African roots. Externally, she faces pressure from society to conform to Western standards, represented by the widespread use of wigs and the outcome of the beauty contest.
Structure
The story is structured with a mix of reflection and dialogue, creating a narrative that flows between the protagonist's internal monologue and her interactions with others. Flashbacks are used to provide context and depth to her internal conflicts.
Dialogue
The dialogue in "Everything Counts" is critical for character development and advancing the themes. The conversations between the protagonist and her "brothers" reveal the broader societal attitudes toward cultural assimilation and resistance, while also exposing the limitations of their perspectives.
Context
Set in the early years of Ghana’s independence, the story reflects the cultural and psychological impact of colonialism and the ongoing struggle for cultural reclamation. Aidoo uses this backdrop to critique the uncritical adoption of Western norms and the resulting identity crisis among Africans.
Author's Intent and Perspective
Aidoo’s intent appears to be a critique of cultural mimicry and the loss of African identity in the face of Western influence. Her background as a Ghanaian and her experiences with colonialism and post-colonialism inform her portrayal of the characters' struggles. Through this story, she calls for a re-evaluation of what progress and modernity mean for African societies, urging a return to authentic cultural practices.
This story is a poignant commentary on the complexities of cultural identity in post-colonial Africa, highlighting the ways in which even seemingly small choices, like wearing a wig, can have profound implications for a people’s sense of self and cultural pride.
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