Tradition of Rape in Breath, Eyes, Memory breath

Tradition of Rape in Breath, Eyes, Memory

One main theme which I believe that this book repeats is the idea that people will blindly follow long standing traditions simply because it is "expected." For instance, Tante Atie felt obligated to care of her mother. This was the tradition for the oldest women of the family, in Haiti. Tante Atie was obviousely resentful of this duty, but she felt that it was her obligation as a part of that family. Sophie's mother, on the other hand, was free from this tradition and able to move for New York. Sophie's mother was also tormented by the fact that her mother blindely followed the obligations taught to her. It is the tradition in Haiti, that by the time a girl hits puberty, she is to be ritualistically "tested" for her purity. These tests were obliviousely psychologically damaging for the girls, but no one ever questioned the tests. It was simply tradition. Sophie's mother was only saved from having this test done because she was raped, which she names as being "the only good thing which came from my being raped." Tante Atie was said to have screamed in protest to this purity test. Yet, when Sophie came of age, her mother still preformed these tests on her out of tradition, even though she was aware of how mentally damaging these tests were on young women. I realize that every culture has its own traditions which seem strange to outside cultures. For instance, the book mentions a women from Ethiopia who is in Sex therapy because of the mutalating ritual which was performed on her by her elders. I just feel that when it comes to rituals and traditions such as these, it should not be a matter of whether it is a tradition or not, but whether it is morally and ethically exceptable. I do not understand how any mother could possibly do anything damaging or painful to their child. The books explaination for preserving the girls purity is so that when the girl marries, her family can save face by having the daughter be pure. I feel that these tests only make it extremely clear to the young women that they are not trusted to do the right thing or to tell the truth.