
Abstract: This study undertook a Comparative Study Of Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class Citizen And Flora Nwapa’s Efuru. The study focused on the works of two Nigerian female Novelists; Buchi Emecheta and Flora Nwapa. It looked at the Contemporary African society which is dominated by men. Little or no recognition was given to women. Thus, they have been oppressed, depressed, relegated to the background, undermined and neglected. It is on this regard that Buchi Emecheta and Flora Nwapa rose up to fight against this ill treatment on behalf of African women through their works: Second Class Citizen and Efuru respectively, which they gave their female characters significant roles that portrayed women as virtuous and vessels of honour in African society.
This study compared the two texts closely and brought to lime light the areas of similarities and differences. The work recommended that women should be involved in decision making and also be given a fair share during property sharing in the family, in order to make the women not to feel disadvantaged or sidelined.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.4 Scope and limitation of the study
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Methodology
1.7 Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF BUCHI EMECHETA’S SECOND CLASS CITIZEN
3.1 The bio-data of Buchi Emecheta
3.2 Plot analysis of Second Class Citizen
3.3 Thematic concerns of the Author
3.4 Characterizations in Second Class Citizen
3.5 Styles of Second Class Citizen
CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF FLORA NWAPA’S EFURU
4.1 Bio data of Flora Nwapa
4.2 Plot analysis of Efuru
4.3 Thematic concerns of the Author
4.4 Characterizations in Efuru
4.5 Styles of Efuru
4.6 Comparative Analysis of Second Class Citizen and Efuru
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Recommendations
5.3 Conclusion
Works cited
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Comparative study is the act of comparing and contrasting two or more things, texts, theories, historical figures, etc. with the sole aim of discovering something concerning the things being compared by examining their pattern of similarities and differences across cases. Buchi Emecheta and flora Nwapa are the earliest feminist writers from Africa. Apart from playing the role of entertainers, they use their artistic creation to instill truth into the audience’s consciousness. The duo wrote to promote and encourage equality for men and women in all spheres of life in the traditional African society; be it; Educational, Political, Economic, Traditional, as well as social spheres.
In Second Class Citizen, the writer portrayed the condition of women in African Society and rebelled anything that subjugates or relegates women to the background through the character of Adah. It pointed to the world that women should no longer be seen as decorative accessories, objects to be moved about whose role end in the kitchen and child bearing, but as major contributors to the nation’s development.
In Efuru, the writer paints a realistic picture of gender issues in a patriarchal society. Male gender here is celebrated more than that of the female, thus, the writer gives prominent role to the female character, Efuru, where she is seen to be more successful than the male counterpart. Buchi Emecheta and Flora Nwapa through their works (Second Class Citizen and Efuru) struggled for female liberation in the society through their conscious and unconscious collective efforts by helping their audiences to imagine a world of genuine equality.
On the bottom line, Second Class Citizen and Efuru have its areas of similarities and differences.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
African female writers have peculiar features in terms of recurrent themes, forms and elements. These peculiarities are as a result of its literary ambience. The same is applicable to the male folk in African literature. Every field of academic pursuit especially literature has an underlying perspectives, that informs its existence. Consequently, is there any of such perspective in female writing? And in Second Class Citizen and Efuru, what are the similarities and differences in terms of themes, styles and characterization? What are the exigencies that the women are subjected to in the African society? These are problems that this study will seek to investigate.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study are:
- examine the two novels closely by comparing and differentiating them to show its area of similarities and differences.
- To ascertain the neglect faced by women in the patriarchal society.
1.4 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The scope of study covers only the primary texts’ Buchi Emechata’s Second Class Citizen and Flora Nwapa’s Efuru. And it is limited to the topic used.
The research work is limited to the two texts: Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta and Efuru by Flora Nwapa.
1.5 Significance of the study
This Research work would be significant to the future researcher, students, teachers, government and the society in the following ways:
- it will add to the existing knowledge.
- It will serve as a reference material to future researchers
- It will help the government to work towards equality, for both gender.
- When recommendations are properly used, it will ensure equality in the society.
1.6 Methodology
The research methodology in Comparative study of Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class Citizen and Flora Nwapa’s Efuru uses both Primary research and secondary research methods. The Primary research method entails the use of the primary texts: Second Class Citizen and Efuru, as major texts for the discussion. The secondary refers to the use of the library, internet, newspaper, Journals and critical works, to support the research work.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Artistic creation: The term is used to mean the creation of beautiful or significant things.
Subjugates: The term is used here to mean to bring under control by the use of force.
Decorative accessories: the term is used to mean something that has little or no use.
Predicament: This is used here to mean difficult or unpleasant situation.
Feminism. It is the belief that women deserve equality in all opportunities.
Originally posted on May 31, 2021 @ 2:50 pm