Realism and Determinism in Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood and Zaynab Alkali the Stillborn
Abstract
The study examined realism and determinism in Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn. From findings, in the two selected novels, the study has shown that, there is persistent inequality between men and women in African society and Nigerian society. Precisely Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Alkali’s The Stillborn has portrayed the general reality and determination of women for self independence.
This study has further discovered that education of the female children is a rarity in Northern Nigeria; this has affected noticeably the quality of life that the female children experienced as seen in Alkali’s The Stillborn. Based on these issues, Alkali and Buchi therefore, use their literary work, to portray determinism and realism of female in fighting gender inequality among women in African society. The study further reveals that education plays a major role in women’s emancipation and liberation in a patriarchal society. It is therefore recommended that Female children should also be given equal educational opportunity, through some traditions and customs forbids therefore seek emancipation, letting the society know the importance of the girl-child education. Also men and women should enjoy equal rights and women’s decisions should be respected and they should not be treated with levity.
Realism and Determinism in Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood and Zaynab Alkali the Stillborn
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – i
Declaration – – – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – – – – – iii
Dedication – – – – – – – – iv
Acknowledgements – – – – – – – v
Abstract – – – – – – – – vi
Table of Contents – – – – – – – vii
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study – – – – –
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – –
1.3 Purpose of the Study – – – – –
1.4 Significance of the Study – – – – –
1.5 Research Methodology – – – – –
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study – – – –
1.7 Objectives of the Study – – – – –
1.8 Bio-Data of Buchi Emecheta – – – –
1.9 Bio-Data of Zaynab Alkali – – – – –
CHAPTER TWO – THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE –
CHAPTER THREE – REALISM AND DETERMINISM IN EMECHETA’S THE JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD
3.1 Analysis of Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood –
3.2 The Theme of Discrimination against Women in Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood – – –
3.3 Styles in the Joys of Motherhood – – – –
3.4 Characterization in The Joys of Motherhood – –
CHAPTER FOUR – REALISM AND DETERMINISM IN ZAYNAB ALKALI’S THE STILLBORN
4.1 Analysis of Alkali’s The Stillborn – – – – 24
4.2 Themes in Alkali’s The Stillborn – – – – 27
4.3 Alkali’s Style of Writing The Stillborn – – – 30
4.4 Characterizations in Alkali’s The Stillborn – – – 33
CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – –
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – –
5.3 Recommendations – – – – –
Works Cited – – – – – – –
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The concept of realism is a social theory and movement primarily concerned with facts or reality and the rejection of the impractical and visionary ideas. It gives a sense of belonging of self as worthy, effectual and contributing human beings knowing their existence. As a theoretical and ideological frame work, it directly opposes nominalism by supporting reality and facts. Consequently, these forms the basic point of this study in Buchi Emecheta’s Joys of Motherhood and Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn. Thus, Buchi Emecheta and Zaynab Alkali are strong writers who see realism and determinism in as a reaction to such stereotype of woman whereby women are seen as helpless, dependent, humiliated, discriminated, oppressed and voiceless in the society. 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).
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 Chimamanda Adichie, Zaynab Alkali, Buchi Emechita, Nawap El-Saadewi, Ifeoma Okeye and Zaynab Alkali 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 examine realism and determinism in the works of Buchi emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn.
Realism and Determinism in Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood and Zaynab Alkali the Stillborn
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 Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn.
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 Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn.
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 Zaynab Alkali. 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 Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn, 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 Zaynab Alkali The Stillborn.
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 Alkali’s writing The Joys of Motherhood and The Stillborn.
- To proffer solution to the issues affecting the women which these female writers writes in their novels.
