Character Study Guide for Between Wars by Yaa Asamoah-Aning

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Major Characters

Enkaakye
Enkaakye is one of the two sisters at the heart of Between Wars and represents patience,
resilience, and loyalty. She is portrayed as a young woman deeply tied to the memory and promise
of Asante, the man she loves, who goes away because of the war. Rather than seeking comfort or
moving on, Enkaakye chooses to wait, believing strongly that love is worth holding on to despite the
risks and uncertainties. This decision is not without sacrifice; her waiting brings loneliness,
emotional struggle, and misunderstanding from those around her. The novel uses Enkaakye’s
steadfastness to highlight how women in times of conflict often carry the emotional burdens of war,
even if they are not on the battlefield. Her loyalty, contrasted with Timaa’s choices, brings out
themes of family tension, hope, and emotional endurance. Enkaakye’s struggle also emphasizes
the clash between individual desire and societal expectation, making her one of the most
sympathetic characters in the novel.

Timaa
Timaa, Enkaakye’s sister, is equally central to the story but is presented as Enkaakye’s opposite in
how she responds to war and loss. Instead of waiting endlessly for someone who may never return,
she decides to let go of the past and marry the Chief, ensuring stability and security for herself. This
decision causes deep tension between the sisters, as what Enkaakye views as faith and loyalty,
Timaa interprets as wasted hope. Timaa’s character highlights the theme of survival versus loyalty,
showing how women in wartime must often choose between following their hearts or protecting
their futures. Through Timaa, the novel raises questions about independence, adaptation, and
resilience, showing that moving on can be just as courageous as waiting. She embodies the difficult
choices women make under pressure, balancing personal emotions with social realities, and
symbolizes how people adapt differently in times of crisis.

Asante
Asante is a central male character whose absence drives much of the conflict in the story. He is
deeply connected to Enkaakye, who remains faithful to him while he is away because of the war.
His absence symbolizes the uncertainty and broken promises brought about by conflict, leaving
those at home in constant hope and fear. Enkaakye’s unwavering loyalty to him shows how deeply
his presence shapes her choices and emotions. Although Asante is away for much of the story, he
remains one of the driving forces of the narrative, embodying themes of love tested by distance and
the sacrifices that war demands. His relationship with Enkaakye contrasts with Sasu’s shifting
affections, and together they represent different sides of love and loyalty in a time of instability.

Sasu
Sasu plays a complex role in the novel as both Timaa’s former lover and later Enkaakye’s husband.
Initially, he is deeply connected to Timaa, but when she marries the Chief, Sasu turns his attention
to Enkaakye. This unexpected turn of events introduces tension, betrayal, and irony, as the sisters’
love lives become intertwined. Sasu’s shifting loyalties bring to light the realities of love and survival
during wartime, where emotions are reshaped by circumstances. His character highlights the
instability of relationships in times of crisis and symbolizes how war disrupts not only nations but
also personal bonds. Through Sasu, the story shows how human beings often act out of both desire
and necessity, making him one of the most controversial characters in the narrative.

Agya Odum
Agya Odum is the elder and fatherly figure in the story, representing tradition, wisdom, and
authority. He offers guidance shaped by cultural values, reminding the sisters of the importance of
endurance, loyalty, and respect. His presence anchors the story with generational wisdom, though
at times his views reveal the limitations of tradition in a changing world. Agya Odum symbolizes the
expectations of society and the weight of family responsibility during hardship. While not as central
as the sisters, he plays a vital role in shaping their decisions and highlighting the conflict between
tradition and modern realities. His presence also shows how parental figures often embody both
comfort and pressure in times of uncertainty.

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Minor Characters

The Chief
The Chief becomes significant through his marriage to Timaa. He represents power, wealth, and
security in contrast to the uncertainty of war. Timaa’s choice to marry him ensures her social
stability but creates distance between her and Enkaakye. The Chief’s presence underscores the
theme of marriage as both a survival strategy and a social expectation, showing how love and duty
often collide during times of conflict. He also reflects how leadership and authority influence
personal decisions within traditional African communities.

The Mother
The mother of Enkaakye and Timaa is a nurturing but concerned figure who embodies parental love
and worry. She symbolizes the emotional burdens carried by parents in times of war, as she tries to
protect her daughters while guiding them through difficult choices. Her role highlights the family’s
emotional struggles and the way mothers act as pillars of support even in uncertain times. She
provides wisdom but also shows the limitations of maternal protection in the face of larger social
and political pressures.

The Community Members

The villagers and community members act as a collective character, shaping the social
environment in which the sisters live. They represent gossip, judgment, and societal pressure, often
questioning or commenting on the choices of Enkaakye and Timaa. Their presence emphasizes
that personal decisions are made within a wider social framework and that war affects the entire
community, not just individual families. They also act as a mirror of tradition and culture, reflecting
the collective mindset during turbulent times.

The Sai Twins

The Sai twins add color and energy to the story as youthful, playful figures who embody innocence.
Their presence provides lighter moments but also underscores how even the youngest members of
society are touched by war. They symbolize sibling unity and serve as a parallel to the relationship
between Enkaakye and Timaa. By including them, the author shows the far-reaching impact of
conflict on all generations within the community. Their innocence contrasts with the harshness of
the adult world, reminding readers of what is at stake in preserving peace.

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Conclusion
Together, the major and minor characters in Between Wars weave a powerful story of love, loyalty,
betrayal, tradition, and survival in the face of war. Each character—whether central like Enkaakye
and Timaa or supporting like the Chief and the Sai twins—contributes to the novel’s themes and
reflects the broader struggles of individuals and families during times of conflict.