Bessie Head’s The Collector of TreasuresDetailed Summary

Bessie Head’s The Collector of Treasures

Detailed Summary

Setting and Opening

The story is set in a rural Botswana village. It begins with Dikeledi Mokopi, who is serving a prison sentence for murder. Through her backstory, the narrator reveals how her life unfolded and what led her to commit such a violent act.

Dikeledi’s Life and Marriage

Dikeledi married Garesego when she was still young. At first, she had hopes of a good family life.

But Garesego turned out to be irresponsible, selfish, and unfaithful.

He abandoned Dikeledi and their three children, leaving her to raise them without support.

Unlike many women who collapse under such abandonment, Dikeledi worked hard to feed and educate her children. She became respected in her community for her resilience and dignity.

The Ideal Couple – Thebolos

During her struggles, Dikeledi found emotional support in her neighbors, Paul and Kenalepe Thebolo.

Paul was a loving, responsible husband who respected and cared for his wife.

Dikeledi admired their relationship deeply because it symbolized what marriage could have been if love and loyalty had existed.

Observing them, she realized that true treasures in life were not wealth or power but love, loyalty, trust, and kindness.

The Husband’s Return

After many years, Garesego suddenly returned.

He demanded money from Dikeledi, even though he had neglected her and the children for so long.

His arrogance and lack of remorse enraged Dikeledi, as he represented the careless, destructive nature of many men in her society who used and discarded women without responsibility.

The Murder

In a moment of both fury and clarity, Dikeledi castrated Garesego with a knife, which caused his death.

The act was brutal but symbolic: by cutting off his manhood, she struck at the root of his abuse, betrayal, and neglect of women.

To Dikeledi, it was not only personal revenge but also a statement against male dominance and exploitation.

Aftermath and Reflection

Dikeledi was arrested and sentenced to prison.

In prison, she reflected not with regret but with a sense of inner peace. She had lived a hard life, but she had collected the real “treasures” of humanity:

love (which she saw in the Thebolos),

dignity (which she maintained despite suffering),

loyalty and care (which she gave to her children).