Setting of the novel The Grass is Singing

Answer

Discuss the setting of the novel The Grass is Singing.

“The Grass is Singing” by Doris Lessing (1919-2013) is a novel set in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the mid-20th century. The novel’s setting plays a crucial role in shaping the story and its themes. 

Colonial Southern Rhodesia: The novel is set when Southern Rhodesia was a British colony, and this colonial backdrop greatly influences the story. The racial tensions and hierarchies of this era are central to the narrative. The colonial government and white settlers controlled the land, politics, and economy, while the native African population, depicted as oppressed and marginalized, provided cheap labour on the farms.

The novel explores the stark contrast between the privileged white minority and the disenfranchised black majority, highlighting the racial and social inequalities that defined this period. The oppressive atmosphere of the colony is mirrored in the characters’ lives, particularly Mary Turner, who is trapped in a loveless marriage and a stifling social environment.

The Farm: Most of the novel unfolds on a remote farm in Southern Rhodesia, where Mary Turner and her husband, Dick Turner, live. The farm serves as a microcosm of the larger society. It is a place where the racial dynamics are even more pronounced, as the Turners employ black workers who live in squalor and work in harsh conditions.

The harsh, arid landscape of the farm reflects Mary’s inner turmoil and growing sense of isolation. As the story progresses, the farm symbolizes Mary’s entrapment and descent into madness. The physical and emotional isolation she experiences on the farm contributes to her deteriorating mental state.

The Climate: The novel’s setting in Southern Rhodesia also includes its climate, which plays a significant role in the story. The intense heat and harsh, dry conditions of the African countryside contribute to the oppressive atmosphere of the novel. The unrelenting sun and the constant struggle to cope with the climate mirror Mary’s inner turmoil and gradual descent into madness.

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