A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt

618 Words3 Pages
A Mouth Sweeter than Salt is a memoir of the adolescent Toyin Falola growing up in Nigerian culture during the mid- twentieth century. His recorded adventures depict his path to learn about his environment and society which intern provides a great look into the differences and similarities between the American and Nigerian cultures to his audiences. The book begins and ends with comprehensive stories about the experiences Toyin goes through, and portrays the cultural implications of all of his decisions and consequences. The very first chapter of the book shows the skill and creativity required by a minor when questioning an elder, even of their age. Toyin finds himself in a predicament as he inquires about the age of an elder, who intern replies with stories, mathematical problems and events that could still only give him an idea of the age of the elder. This is not because Toyin does not know the elder, or that he is not well liked, but because asking the age of an elder with the expectation of a simple numerical answer is just rude. Obviously this difference in the Nigerian culture from the American culture is not only specific to age but, in other social respects. Throughout the book elders are held on a pedestal unknown to the American culture today. The book continues to follow the pattern of trailing Toyin as he makes mistakes, only to be corrected and reminded of the social etiquette required of him in the Nigerian culture. At one point he decides to discover what is truly unknown to him, another city. Traveling away from his home was not only dangerous but, unheard of for a boy his age. However, with the hopes of being a legendary trail-blazer for boys in his class, he decides to make the unfamiliar and indefinite journey on a train. After arriving in an unknown city, surviving for an uncertain amount of time through street work and hustling, he
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