Question

Mallam is told to “shut up” whenever he tries to speak, so that eventually “the seller learned to swallow his words.” Why is Mallam treated in this way? What does this behavior towards add to readers’ understanding of both his character and Ghanaian society?

Answer 1

Mallam Sile is a man who sells tea. Sile grew up very poor, had no education, and moved to the city when he was still very young. When people came to buy from him, he sometimes tried to speak, but people would tell him to shut up. Mallam was probably treated in this way because he was poor and everyone knew him only as a tea seller. This dynamic shows that Ghanaian society believes wealth and social position to be an important factor when determining whether a man deserves respect or the chance to speak up.

Answer 2

Mallam was treated that way because he was not respected and had just recently moved to the town.