A Man Can Try' by Eldred Durosimi Jones Review
You will agree that a man can try and needs to try constantly. After all, in society, especially in the African setting, men have unique burdens that they have to bear. When I first read this title, I thought that a man could try to love two women concurrently or a man could try to fit into societal expectations by giving up his wishes. What do you think a man can try?
Jones is a Sierra Leonean literary critic and author famous for introducing a different perspective to studying Shakespearean texts and the study of modern African literature. In his text, "A Man Can Try,” Jones describes the life of a white man who has been in love with a black man for eight years, but society expects him to marry a white lady.
'A Man Can Try' begins with a brief description of the love story between Marie and Trevor Tullock. Trevor is an experienced white man expected to work in his father's law firm, while Marie is a pretty black and loyal woman for Trevor. She is sad that Trevor had to leave for England. As they plan to depart, Marie is compared to a maternity statue as he holds her son, Tambah, between her knees. Marie dreaded that moment and agreed that the most significant moments of happiness were when she was living with Trevor. Well, goodbyes are often sad.
On the other hand, Denise was a sophisticated English woman concerned with women's rights. Trevor dreads living with her forever and drinks more than ever before with the thought of this situation. Society had forced him to embrace a belief that he disregarded and live with Denise forever. Thus, the society has fixed his future to live in England and marry Denise.
Trevor's situation describes the societal conflicts that determine people's lifestyles. His statement that a part of his heart had gone with her after watching Marie leave and his certainty that his life with Denise would be a constant mental tug-of-war is evidence of the social conflicts. Conclusively, Trevor is stuck in this conflict and has limited option but to follow her mother's letter. The concern was what would people think if he married a black woman and chose to stay in Africa.
I still believe that Trevor's notion that a man can try is meant to motivate him to grow in love with Denise after a long time apart. Both Trevor and Denise have changed, and it would be complicated to live with her till death do them part.
It is a sure recommendation from me.
