"Stress"

This story by Lilia Momple shows the unforeseen consequences that actions can have. The characters all seem to be unknowingly linked. It is interesting how one chain of events can set off something entirely different and the motives of the characters are often unknown or misinterpreted. The major-general's lover who is never actually named is content with her flat but yearns for the attention of the teacher who lives in a crowded apartment across from her. In fact she gets dressed up and sits outside her verandah hoping that he will notice her. To her this is only a simple game created out of boredom however his lack of attention deeply frustrates her. The teacher's life was basically a continual struggle against poverty while retaining some of his dignity. Listening to football and drinking beer on Sunday afternoons is his only oasis from his stressful life. The major-general's lover has no idea how difficult and cruel the teacher's life is and the teacher has no idea how much distress he is causing her.
It is ironic that they can both live next door to each other yet their lives are so different. However, they are both unhappy but they suffer in different ways. The descriptions of the major-general and the teacher are vastly different. The major-general has given way to an unbridled desire to experience the finer things in life and has become rather large. He has a dull coldness about him. The teacher has thin nervous hands and look of melancholy that permeates from his face. The major general represents european imperialism and his mulatto lover is beholdened to him. However, she longs for the affections of the African teacher.
The ending of this story is very shocking. The teacher kills his wife in cold blood and says that he is unable to live anymore. The chilling matter in which he kills his wife is appalling but to the teacher it makes sense. His life had become so bad that he did not care anymore. It is as if the teacher has regressed to a very simplistic state because he cannot tolerate the realities of his world.