Answer:
"Leaving" by M.G. Vassanji is a novel that explores the themes of identity, belonging, and memory. The conflict in the story revolves around the protagonist, Salim Juma, who is a successful businessman living in Canada. Salim is forced to confront his past when he receives a letter from an old friend in his ancestral home in Tanzania, urging him to return and help rebuild their community.
The conflict arises from Salim's struggle to reconcile his Canadian identity with his African heritage. Salim left Tanzania many years ago to pursue a better life in Canada, and has since become successful and assimilated into Canadian culture. However, his return to Tanzania forces him to confront the realities of poverty, corruption, and political unrest that he had left behind.
As Salim becomes more involved in the rebuilding of his community, he is confronted with a choice between his Canadian identity and his African heritage. He must confront his own feelings of guilt and responsibility for leaving his community behind, and reconcile his desire for success and wealth with his duty to his community.
The conflict is further complicated by Salim's relationship with his wife, Ana, who is also struggling with her own identity issues as a Brazilian immigrant in Canada. Salim's return to Tanzania forces Ana to confront her own feelings of displacement and the challenges of adapting to a new culture.
Overall, the conflict in "Leaving" is a complex exploration of identity, memory, and belonging. It highlights the challenges and tensions that arise when individuals are forced to confront their past and reconcile their multiple identities.