Chapter Six -Seven Summary and Analysis

Lessing describes her bedroom in the Southern Rhodesia house as a child. She says she grows up in the most snake-infested section of the earth, but is never bitten, even when playing in the bush with bare feet and legs. She recalls a normal day of rising, dressing and going to breakfast. She has rebelled against the standard costumes of English children and is happily dressed as she wants. Her mother constantly worries that the children are not getting enough to eat, and Lessing remembers substantial breakfasts and the requirement that plates all be cleaned. Lessing tells of the arguments her parents have over the servants. Her mother wants traditional English servant behavior from people who have only known the jungle life, and her father constantly tells her how ridiculous and demeaning to their culture her attitude...