How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Sometimes—often, actually—he had trouble remembering exactly what the Mellower had said. Afterward there was a period when he felt sleepy and a little foolish. And so he fought to keep from being entranced. Most of the time he won. (1.43)
You are getting very… sleepy. Just like a hypnotizer with an old pocket watch, the Mellower is able to put people in a trance. With just his words of praise, he can render anybody sleepy and hazy—even the General. Tendai isn't so sure he's a fan of this feeling, particularly because it means he's not in control of his thoughts anymore. So who is?
Quote #2
A shave was a wandering spirit who entered you and taught you a special skill. It didn't matter that the Mellower was of the English tribe and the shave was obviously Shona. You didn't have a choice about who possessed you: when a spirit wanted you, he or she generally got his or her way. If you resisted, the spirit made you sick. (3.38)
Spirits are feisty, according to Tendai. The Zimbabweans believe that spirits—good and evil—can possesses people at any point. Most of the time, they do it for a specific purpose. For instance, Rita is really good at math, say, so an ancestor might help her out there.
Quote #3
The Mellower has a Shona shave. Aren't we lucky a spirit decided to possess him? I wish someone would take an interest in me. But he was too contented to worry long. With his hands folded on the ndoro, he drifted off into a dreamless sleep. (14.56)
Don't you hate it when everybody else gets a visit from a helpful spirit except you? That happens to us all the time. Tendai so badly wants a spirit to use him because it's an honor when they do, plus he wants to be special. Right now, though, it seems like he's not that great at anything.