America's thirty-second president and winner of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt, stated, “Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection” (Roosevelt). When an individual makes decisions that involve the love and feelings of another person, it is important to refrain from taking their affection for granted only for one's own personal benefits and interests. Scarlet Song tells the story of two young lovers who find true love for each other despite their religious and cultural differences and fail to keep their commitment to maintaining their marriage. Ousmane Gueye, a Muslim from Senegal, and Mireille De La Valle, a white daughter of a French diplomat, engage in an interracial marriage of which neither Ousmane's nor Mireille's parents approve. Once Mireille makes considerable sacrifices to enter a foreign life, Ousmane begins to devalue their relationship and balance the marriage only around his needs and desires. Initially delving into Ousmane's family background will show that he rebelled to create his own life and personal happiness. He was the son of Djibril Gueye, a truly devout Muslim married to his only wife, Yaye Khady. Next, observing Ousmane's ways and actions towards his first wife, Mireille, demonstrates Ousmane's selfish character. He does not act in response to the independence of his African origins when he marries a second wife, Ouleymatou, but rather in a way to satisfy his desire for greater affection and superiority. Ousmane lives according to his own interests because he withdraws and follows the status granted to him as a man in Africa, and gives in to his temptations without first dedicating himself to his first wife and son. Investigating Ousmane's domestic environment, on. ... .. middle of paper ...... the relationship with Mireille after she has made considerable sacrifices to become his wife demonstrates Ousmane's self-centered character. Ousmane is a man who acts according to his personal interests and advantages because he lives according to the definition of an African man given by his culture and society, rather than by his values ​​and roots. Furthermore, Ousmane marries Ouleymatou without first committing to Mireille or respecting his family's honor of rejecting polygamy. As Franklin D. Roosevelt quoted, “Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection” (Roosevelt), one can connect this to Ousmane where his self-interests deteriorated his values ​​and his love for Mireille. Works Cited Bâ, Mariama. Scarlet song. Harlow, Essex, England: Longman, 1986. Print Roosevelt, Franklin D. Brainy Quote. Xplore. Network. February 27. 2012. .