Discuss the theme of tradition vs. modernity in relation to characters in Ba's So Long a Letter.

I think that the theme of tradition vs. modernity is
present throughout Ba's work.  Yet, it seems to be most effectively used when looking at
the characters who represent the struggle to find happiness, poised at different ends of
the spectrum.  In this case, the condition of women is representative of this theme. 
When looking at Moudou's choices and how the institution of marriage empowers him over
his wives, the women in his life embody tradition and modernity.  Interestingly enough,
Ba's work represents the theme in a unique way in that characters intricately represent
both aspects of time in a simultaneous manner.  Ramatoulaye, his first wife, represents
the traditional aspect of marriage.  She is his first wife, and must abide by his
choices according to Senegalese tradition.  She has little recourse when he chooses
another woman, Binetou, as a second wife.  Within this traditional framework, though,
Ramatoulaye ends up understanding that tradition does not work when it seeks to oppress
and deny voice.  Through this, modernity through the form of self empowerment begins to
become apparent in her life.  At the same time, Binetou can be seen as a modern
representation.  She enjoys spending her husband's money, and likes it spent on
materialist ends such as cars and nightclub.  A vision of modernity, Binetou is also
trapped by the condition of tradition.  She is a second wife, and when Moudou dies, she
experiences the traditional aspect of how identity is difficult when it is tied into
another.  No matter how modern she might want to appear, Binetou capitulates to the
traditional condition of unhappiness for a woman that is left with few options to find
and reclaim her own identity in the shadow of a man.