● Name :- Hetal Pathak
● Roll No. :- 09
● Semester :- 4 [ Batch 2022- 2024]
● Enrollment No. :- 4069206420220022
● Paper No. :- 210(A)
● Paper Name :- Research Project Writing : Dissertation writing
● Submitted to :- Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
● Email Address :- hetalpathak28@gmail.com
● Date of Submission :- 26th April, 2024
Conclusion of my dissertation titled
Exploring Female Trauma in Buchi Emecheta’s Novels : ‘The Joys of Motherhood’ and ‘Second - Class Citizen’
Conclusion :-
Trauma is a universal experience, and it is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that leaves a lasting impact on one’s emotional, physical, and psychological well - being. Trauma can affect anyone. The way in which trauma is interpreted, as well as the effects of it on an individual, are all influenced by the cultural lens through which the person views the event. There are many responsible factors which can lead the person towards traumatic experiences. Overcoming trauma is difficult, no matter when it happens or to whom. Women, in particular, may encounter unique traumatic events related to gender based violence or reproductive health issues. Such experiences can profoundly affect their mental health and well - being. Along with that, women often bear the emotional burden of multiple roles, such as caretakers, Daughters, wives, and mothers which can contribute to stress and trauma.
The sufferings of black women and traumatic experiences has emerged as a central theme in the narratives of Buchi Emecheta. She has joined the vanguard of contemporary writers such as Flora Nwapa, Christina Aidoo, Grace Ogat and Bessie Head. Emecheta documents the experiences of the modern African woman in her novels. She chronicles the struggles for equality in a male - dominated world. Formerly, images of African women were drawn exclusively by African men who idealised them in their writings. But, it is completely contrary to that illustrated by Emecheta in her novels. Rather than simply portraying the African woman as part of the warm, romanticised images and secure African past, she offers insights into the female psyche, ignored by or inaccessible to African male writers. Buchi Emecheta’s perspective on African women in Nigerian society is therefore a welcome occurrence. It can be said that male writers lack the empathy, sympathy and consciousness of their female characters' psyche. Male writers do not know what it means to be an African woman in an African society. Emecheta fills that gap through her narratives and her writings introduce the new themes in African literary history. In that, the theme of Female trauma and sufferings is the central one.
This research work, Exploring female Trauma in Buchi Emecheta’s novels : ‘The Joys of Motherhood’ and ‘Second - Class Citizen' Extensively delve into the experiences of African women. Focusing more on their lives and the inequalities and injustices they faced affect women’s lives and well - being in a larger way. Through her narratives, Emecheta presents both the protagonists, Nnu Ego and Adah in such a way that they both can realise the true thing for themselves towards the end of the novel. It can be seen as a part of their self - awakening and self - realisation. Buchi Emecheta illuminates the urgent need for societal change and the essential empowerment of women to liberate and free themselves from the cyclical patterns of violence and oppression. Through comprehensive analysis of both the novels, it sheds light on the various forms of trauma experienced by the female protagonists in Buchi Emecheta’s literary works, giving harsh realities and intersectional challenges that women face. While considering Buchi Emecheta’s literary art and style it becomes evident that her novels have revealed the pervasive nature of female trauma, manifesting in diverse ways. Through her vivid characterizations and poignant storytelling, she skillfully depicts the profound impacts of these traumatic experiences on the lives and psyches of her female characters. Here it is Nnu Ego And Adah Obi. It serves as a powerful commentary on the enduring struggles of women within patriarchal societies.
In Buchi Emecheta’s novel ‘The Joys of Motherhood’, the Protagonist Nnu Ego’s entire journey is a harrowing tale of the trauma inflicted by the societal obsession with motherhood and the clear devolution of women’s identities beyond their reproductive roles. Through the analysis of the novel and life of Nnu Ego, it underscores the psychological and emotional turmoil faced by the protagonist Nnu Ego, who is trapped into a complete loveless marriage and endures the trauma of infertility stigma. Ultimately, she sacrifices her individuality in pursuit of the joys of motherhood. Despite her unwavering dedication to her children, Nnu Ego’s tragic end truly highlights the stark reality of an African society that commodifies women and denies the right to self - fulfilment. Nnu Ego’s life is woven with threads of psychological torment and emotional anguish. It becomes evident that From the stigma of infertility and the trauma of loveless marriages to the pain of losing a child and along with that constant pressures to conform to patriarchal ideals and motherhood, it leads towards the sufferings of her in a society that devalues and disregards them. However, the novel depicts Nnu Ego’s unwavering adherence to societal expectations and also her blind pursuit of the joys of motherhood leads her to her tragic end. Despite all her compromises and sacrifices that she made throughout her life, she is abandoned and left to die alone. Through the psychological trauma of the protagonist in this novel, it is a clear and poignant reminder not only for Nnu Ego, but for everyone in the society that it shows the cruel irony that motherhood, often touted as a woman’s greatest joy in her life, at the same time can also be a source of profound trauma. Nnu Ego’s story deeply challenges the cultural norms and societal structures that perpetuate the trauma of women and highlights the needs for exploration and a recognition of women’s inherent worth beyond their already prescribed identities as daughters, wives and mothers. This novel is a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of women in the face of immense trauma.
Motherhood being considered a blessing in a woman’s life ironically led to trauma for Nnu Ego in this novel. As portrayed in ‘The Joys of Motherhood’ by Buchi Emecheta, In traditional Igbo society motherhood is upheld as the ultimate blessing and a complete fulfilment for a woman. However, the protagonist Nnu Ego’s life serves as a powerful contradiction to this notion, revealing the very idea of motherhood that paradoxically becomes a source of immense trauma for her. From a young age, Nnu Ego is introduced with the belief that a woman's worth is tied to her ability to bear children, especially sons. She always wants to become a mother and with that the societal pressures to prove her fertility leads her into a loveless marriage first with Amatowku, but when she was unable to conceive and that resulted in abuse, stigma and the trauma of being considered ‘a failed woman.’ Even after remarrying with Nnaife and finally becoming a mother, Nnu ego’s joy is very short-lived. The death of her first son Ngozi plunges her into a deep depression. She navigates the challenges of polygamy, poverty and urban life in Lagos. All these are connected with the traumatic experiences of Nnu Ego. Her relentless compromises for her children tragically met with abandonment in her old age. Through the trauma of Nnu Ego, this novel exposes the ways in which the glorification of motherhood can also become a tool for oppression and trauma for females. It becomes quite evident in the way that Buchi Emecheta clearly deconstructs the idea of Motherhood through the character of Nnu Ego in The Joys of Motherhood. It serves as a powerful critique of the patriarchal society and structures that commodify and dehumanise women by elevating motherhood to a position of unattainable perfection.
In Second Class Citizen, Buchi Emecheta poignantly explores the trauma experienced by the protagonist Adah due to the oppressive forces of patriarchy. From a young age, Adah grapples with the devaluation of the female identity in her traditional Igbo culture, where girl children are seen as disappointments and denied educational opportunities. This early marginalisation instils in Adah a sense of inferiority about her own gender. Her suffering is compounded by her marriage to Francis, which entraps her in an abusive patriarchal dynamic. Francis, embodying toxic masculinity, continuously berates Adah's ambitions, denies her agency, and subjects her to emotional manipulation and physical violence. His domineering behaviour crushes Adah's dreams of pursuing higher education and a career, reducing her to a subservient role defined by domestic duties.
The protagonist of Buchi Emecheta’s novel ‘ Second - Class Citizen’ Adah Obi experienced various forms of domestic violence includes physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, sexual assault at the hands of her husband Francis. This violence and abusive attitudes of husbands are deeply rooted in the patriarchal African communities, where women are treated as a property and expected to to be subservient to their husbands. The domestic violence inflicted upon Adah has profound traumatic effects on her. It leaves her feeling worthless about herself and questioning her self - worth. Here, It becomes evident that trauma can affect one person in a larger way and Here, Adah suffered from that kind of a trauma on an extensive level. Through Adah’s trauma the Author Buchi Emecheta highlights the emotional breakdowns, feeling isolated and loneliness, and along with that things the constant fears of and anxiety she experiences due to Francis’s abusive behaviour. Also, in the racist environment in London she finds herself in trauma. Being treated as a second - class citizen due to her race and gender, compounds the psychological impacts on her. She reinforces the belief that she is inferior and that is how the inferiority complex developed within herself.
The trauma that Adah endures psychological, emotional, and physical. She is forced to compromise her individuality, aspirations, and even her sense of self-worth to conform to the rigid gender norms dictated by the patriarchal society. Emecheta's vivid portrayal of Adah's struggles highlights the insidious effects of patriarchy on women's personal growth, autonomy, and overall well-being. However, the traumatic experiences she endures leave lasting scars. Adah's journey is one of resilience and reclamation of her identity. By mustering the courage to leave her abusive marriage, she transcends the confines of patriarchal oppression and embraces her independence. Emecheta's novel serves as a powerful testament to the trauma inflicted by patriarchal structures and the strength required for women to break free from its shackles. Adah’s struggle as an immigrant in London serves as a microcosm of the intersectional trauma experienced by women of colour. Adah’s battle against racial discrimination, domestic abuse, and the constant negotiation of her identity as a woman, wife and mother. This novel sheds light on the trauma inflicted by societal expectations, economic pressures, and the erosion of self worth, ultimately underscores the resilience and determination of women in their pursuit of self - actualization and realisation.
As there are many responsible factors which can lead the person towards traumatic experiences. All the events which happened in Nnu Ego’s life and Adah Obi’s life lead toward the sufferings and their trauma. But, Buchi Emecheta portrayed both the protagonists in different ways. In The Joys of Motherhood Nnu Ego dies alone on a roadside, which shows her tragic end and pathetic situations. She realised towards the end of the novel that motherhood never brings joy and fulfilment. When she died on the roadside, there was no one with her. While the protagonist Adah Obi in Second - Class Citizen novel seeks independence finally. She leaves her husband and decides to start a new fresh life with her children.
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Thank You!
