This short novel is one of two works by Cheikh Hamidou Kane who has since become a legend of African literature. Similarly to other works we’ve seen this season, Kane explores essentialism and existentialism within this novel. He weaves imaginary or allegorical perspectives with real history, social and political matrices, and philosophical questions on what it means to exist within the imperial and republican France as someone who is  non-white and not from the metropole. He does this primarily through presenting the story of Samba Diallo who leaves his home to study in France. The book divides the experience into before, during, and after and explores various intellectual ideas and the interactions between African cultures and French culture. Beyond the representation of Samba’s experience, this book also depicts black cultural nationalism and African-centered notions of modernity and modernization.

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