what is the culture in so long a letter

Religion is embedded in the culture as seen in your last question. Marriage is another important cultural theme. One of the major themes in the novel is marriage. Because the novel is set in an Islamic country, marriage is seen as being something every woman must do in her life. The main character of the novel gets married as well but the union is not a happy one as she is later replaced by a much younger wife. Thus, Ramatoulaye finds herself in the situation of having to learn how to take care of herself and of her children without the help or presence of a man in her life. For her, marriage does not mean protection; rather, it is a painful experience she has to go through in order to survive. But the failed marriages in this novel are not necessarily perceived as being a negative thing; they are also a way through which a person can grow and better themselves.