
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Buchi Emecheta and Mariama Ba are strong feminist’s writers whose writing portrays the determinism and realism in African societies. For instance, these female writers have determined in advocating for women’s right in their works of art. It is in this light the critic like Sam Adewoye in his article entitled The Role of Women in Traditional Literature opined that:
African women are not given their due recognition because of obnoxious cultural practices. He further asserts that pre-literate women suffered the stroke of the tragedy as literate men and women… do not want to accord them their due recognition. Based on Adewoye’s point of views, women have determined especially the female writers to contribute to their societies. Their contribution to the literary sphere is also prominent especially in the area of oral literature where African female writers have been involved in revolution. On the other hand, realism is one of the major aims in feminist writers (34).
Realism and Determinism in Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter
Furthermore, these feminist writers have over the years been writing about men discrimination against women and forcing them to do what they do not want to do because of their gender. For instance, female writers like Chimamand Adichie, Mariama Ba, Buchi Emechita, Nawap El-Saadewi, Ifeoma Okeye write about the reality that is happening in the society of Africa.
No doubt, African female writers writes about the realities in African societies, For instance, in African culture, women have been subjected to oppression, depression, suppression, rejection, and segregation and unfair and undue visitations. This therefore formed the background to which this study examines realism and determinism in the works of Buchi emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
African female writers seek to address the plight and cultural issues affecting the women in most African societies in their works. The advent of women into an exclusively male world was possible with an increasing sensitivity to inequalities of sexism. This issue forms the base of the African women writers. This point forms the bedrock to the research problem with a view to examining the realism and determinism in the writing of Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this research work is to examine realism and determinism in the works of Buchi emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research work will be of significance to other feminist writers to write more novels that would reflects the reality, in other words, how some African societies still practice some obnoxious practices that affect the female folks in the society. The study will also serve as a reference material to researchers who would wish to research more on reality and determinism particularly using the works of Emecheta and Mariama Ba. The study will also be of importance to students of English and literature to understand better aspect of realism and determinism in the two novels under study.
1.5 Research Methodology
The primary method in this work will basically focus on Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter, while one secondary method will examine the novels from other feminist writers, article, internet and library for more information.
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The scope of this research work will be limited to Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.
Realism and Determinism in Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter
1.7 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this research work are:
- To examine realism and determinism in the two novels in this research work
- To investigate the aim of Emecheta’s and Ba’s writing The Joys of Motherhood and So Long a Letter.
- To proffer solution to the issues affecting the women which these female writers writes in their novels.
Originally posted on October 10, 2021 @ 5:43 pm