ABSTRACT
This project examines the position and problems of women in the society with an appreciation of the Flora Nwapa’s Efuru. The study interrogates how women are still being dehumanized and subjugated by men and culture. Thus the economic and political values of women throughout the globe are still explored in this study.
The study is to explore the anguishes of women feminist theory as a lunch – pad the novel is subjected to critical and literacy analysis one of the stumbling blocks debarring the betterment of the modern nation is the controversy surrounding the status of the female gender as this study observes.
Therefore, this study submits that the fight against gender discrepancy in socio – political and economic circles is sustained by and a products of nation under development.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Page…………………………………………………………………i
Certificate
………………………………………………………………..ii
Declaration ...........................
………………………………………….. iii
Dedication………………………………………………………………...iv
Acknowledgement
..............................................................................
. . v
Abstract………………………………………………………………… vi
Table of Content …………………………………………………………vii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 General
Introduction………………………………………… ……1
1.1 Background of
the Study………………………………………………3
1.2 Statement of
the Problems …………………………………………….4
1.3 aims of the
study ……………………………………………………….14
1.4 Significance of the Study………………………………………………14
1.5 Research
question ............................................................ …………....15
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Review Of The
Relevant Study .............................................................17
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.0 Research
Methodology ..........................................................................28
3.1 Research Design
......................................................................................29
3.2 Sampling and Sampling Procedure
............................................................29
3.3 theoretical framework
................................................................................29
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Data
Presentation, Analysis and Discussion of Finding ............................30
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1
Summary......................................................................................................33
5.2
Conclusion
..................................................................................................34
Reference.........................................................................................................35
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODU`TION
1.1 BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
Globally
it is believed that literature reflects
and refracts realities in the society. The roles played by literature in the
past and the present to shape the future cannot be overemphasized in the area
of character moulding and moral development. It exposes the virtues and vices
in the society. This, therefore, relates to the influence society has on the
creative and imaginative works of authors role exposed the societal ills with a
view to bringing about the transportation that instills an attitudinal and
emotional change in the mind set of its readers
( kariki – Namji, 216). The writers have varying what Ngugi wa Thiong O affirms that “ the
writer should note explain the world of he should change it” (1980:75) Nwapa
Flora (1966) Efuru London: Heinemann.
Literature spring from our inborn love
of telling a story of putting words in pleasing patterns and in elevated style
some of our experiences of life. This slynchroruses with toni morrisons.
We have always been imagining ourselves
We are the subject of our own narratives
Witnesses to and participant in our own experiences?
(1990 :208)
Thus literature, either oral or written is categorized into prose poetry
and drama to express aesthetics, personal experiences, emotions ideas and
social experiences.
From
the time immemorial, entertainment is among
the chief functions, if not the chief of literature in every human
society. Novels are read for pleasure and in all honesty, the home – video
industry, which is an appendage of Literature is doing quit well in terms of entertainment.
Sometimes, when plays are presented or novels are read. A lot of hitherto
oblivious information, line of thought and
new vistas to knowledge become instructive to note. This is why there are
deductive works of literature which teach morals lesson.
It
is well known facts that literature function as a means of escapism from tedium of labour, from the
grip of a strong emotional or psychology breakdown and from the shackle of
different forms of oppressions. This
qualifies literature a therapeutic element of man. It has been observed that
literature cannot be separated from life in fact it offers resources to better
the world of reality as Theodore Akachi Ezeigbo (2008 :10-11) observes that :
Through the creation of illusion of reality, writer
are able to expose on one hand, the evils in the societies with a
view to correcting their people and on the readirecting their people and on the
other hand highlight the positive aspects in order to encourage their people to
emulate the and perpetuate them for posterity.
Implied
in the topic of this project is the notion that women have not been given much
recognised in the society, especially in Northern side of the country as men
have received. This general logging behind is broadly true of most country of
the world. But in the western countries like England, America and past society France, the situation
changes radically. In the past society frawned on women taking to creative
writing which was regarded as exclusive to men. For instance in England, the
women George Eliot, had to adopt a man name for her novels to hide the fact
that she is a female. Now throughout the world, it seems thing are changing in
order to recognise the stand and position of women in the society. Men
oppressed the women, culture refused to accommodate their technical know – how
religions relegate women support man patriarch in subjugating other in the
past.
Anne
and carole (1986:205) posit that “ true feminism is an abnegation of male protection and a
determination to be resourceful and reliant” this provides a concrete, national
and reliant this provides a concrete,
rational and true reflection of what female writers posit in many of their
creativity. They use negative portrayed of male characters as a literacy device
in their attempt to address and
highlight gender issues. Therefore it is against the back drop of the foregoing
what this research work embarks on the
position of women in the past and the contemporary society in Flora Nwapa’s Efuru to paint the woman position in the nearest future.
Literacy expression has been one of the process in which social issues are
addressed and African feminism writers find this art of depiction very much
handy as Danzomo observes that “ either reinforced or challenge the established
social and cultural institution their ideas and practices (1996) gives
stability in the feminism ideology.
The
central concern of female authors of which
Flora Nwapa’s belong is to
explore the role of literature in the development of social attitude toward
women and of women attitudes toward themselves thus this research work is
concerned with projecting it giving it the kind of critical attention it had
not received from male critics.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
There
has been a lot of problem as well as debate in male African writing regarding
the depiction of females /women in their
writing it is as a result of this Flora
Nwapa’s and other female salient issues
facing African women especially during post colonial African society.
This
study is of artistic socio political, economic and cultural utility to the
position of the women in Africa, Nigeria precisely. A historical research of
this nature is a potent tool of information education and reflection about the
past the presence and helps in shaping the future. Thus this study is to be
valued and utilized in many ways. First, it provided credible information on
the history, nature and development of women /female activities from the
antiquity period till the present. Second it clarifies various contestable
assumption about Nigeria literacy works
of women third, the study provides an objectives assessment and a clear
perspective on the problems of women and suggest feasible remedies most
especially northern women/female children most who only remains the second class
citizens.
The
study reveals fresh ideas concept and innovative tendencies in creative arts
which will be useful to researcher and literacy students.
leave
him and returns to her father house to remain unmarried for the rest of her
life even when she is advised to consider going back to (her) husband she
immediately reject “that is not possible” (221)
In
African society, the well known duty or role of women is child bearing and this depicts that women are fully understood
the nursing career as it is observed in
the character of Ajumpu who easily identifies that efuru is pregnant with out
any medical or urine test. Moreso, a child plays a control role in any
marriage. In other words, the success of failure of any marriage is often
measure by the number of children, especially made children such marriage is
blessed with. This is the major reason Efuru
is worried and devastated when it seems a child is not coming. She known that
the only thing that can make her have a say in the after two years of marriage
without an issue.
Efuru was every worry in the second year of her
marriage.” My mother had only me she said one might to herself. My father told
me so and also that she found to difficult to become pregnant. Am I going to be like my mother? But if I am
going to be like her than I too will have a daughter like her. But what if that
is denied me? What if that also is denied me? She went. (24)
The
above foreshadows the future incident, the destiny which she cannot escape. She
is later blessed with a baby girl after consulting a dibia ( a medicine man)
who known how to cure barreness (adobi).
Efuru
condition of infertibility reveals the import and role of women of women in the
aspect of marriage, especially match –
making. In her second marriage with eneberi, she has to marry a younger woman
who will bear him a child since she known that she may not have one herself.
Some one who is not conversant with African traditional cultures may be quick
to ask if children are all there is in marriage. Arguably marriage is not only
for procreation but also for mutual love, only intimacy and help.
Invariably,
the novelist, flora Nwapa deliberately uses Efure to debunk the assumption that
women are less enterprising but also compared with men. Throughout the text and
despite Efuru ordeals, she is portrayed as not only enterprising but also
generous in sharing the profit of her business with those around her because of
her astute enterprising nature she is able to raise money with a short pay her
time price.
Tell my father that i shall be the last person to
bring shame on him. Since my mother died five years ago I have been a good
daughter to him. My husband is not rich. In fact he is must see that this is done.(10)
After
she helps her husband Adizua, in paying the
dowry, she continuous to build her business empire which later employs her
husband and makes him leave his farming business which is nothing to write home
about. Through this text flora Nwapa is of the opinion that women boosts the
economic of every society through their business natural orientation.
Meanwhile,
Efuru tells her husband that she wants to trade rather than farming and Adizua
acquiesces to her decision. So she remains in the town to trade. This addresses
the issues that, for the sake of love, women sponsor their marriage support their matrimonial families. What can
be deducted here is other many men
engage in polygamy as a result of the assistance getting from their wives. In our immediate
environment, at present one would observed that
new married wives move to their husband houses with the furniture and
necessary needed domestic materials.
Women
are being subjugated and dehumanized in a polygamous marriage. Efuru is an X-
ray of a polygamous marriage in the society. Although women are not always
bestowed with the freedom to leave their husband even when they are unfaithful.
Efuru is given the freedom to leave her unfaithful husbands. This is what makes
her an independent woman different from
her folks. It is not an exaggeration to
say that it is women that suffer more in polygamous marriage wherever they are
practised. However Nwapa is trying to say that women do not have endure such
marital maltreatment they can walk away as efuru does i the text. He leaves Adizua’s house and re-
marries to gulbert who is also painted
as a prisoner in the text.
When
living is also not favourable and peaceful, despite the effort of efuru to
achieve her ambitious peace- making mission she divorces him and moves to her
father house at the end of the text. The character and characteristic of efuru
shows that women are role models love makers and builders of
peaceful.
The
role of men and women in the pre- colonial era were complimentary roles of
women in African society are forsaken by the effects colonialism. African women
have not been when their voices are ignored efuru , the protagonist ask her husband to count out of farming
business because she prefers trading to farming. Even if her husband does not
want, he obliges and through this efuru is able to settle her husband dowry.
This is in proratato sarah Namulondo’s opinion despite that women vices are
always ignored.....they are positioned as mystery or other by (neo) colonialism
and patriarchy, black African women writing resist the compartmentalization of
fenunine identify in a predetermined samaantic space (19) Efuru) creates
independent and self reliant women whose personalities diwarf and shadow that of their husband and men
generally. Efuru is beautiful and hardworking woman, symbolises except lonal
and quintessential women in African society yemi mojola, in her essay titled “
flora Nwapa” sums up the characteristic of female character in Nwapa’s novels thus.
In general, the female creation of Nwapa’s primary and
secondary ones alike, are business like, industries and condemning laziness of
any shade or colour (123)
In
Efuru Flora Nwapa adopts a subtle approach to against some of the societal
traditional that against the interest of woman hood such as the issue of bride
– price the issue of bride price or dowry is an essential aspect of marriage in traditional African societies
no marriage is consummated unless the families of the bride groom pay the
require price. Among the igbo people the payment of the dowry is done both in
cash and in kind but Efuru has chosen her husband without observing this age –
long tradition. Adizua, efuru lover comes from an unknown family, meaning that
they are poor and not prominent he cannot afford the bride price. He even has the temerity to
brag around that he has no money tp pay the bride price according to him i have
no money for the dowry we agreed to be husband and wife and that all matter
white the none payment to bride price could be taken as credit for efuru going
against the tradition of treating a women as a commodity to be sold in the
market it is a ball game for adizua was not good at trading it was efuru who
was the brain behind the business the profit that comes out of the trade is
used to pay efuru bride – price. This is against the usual tradition where by
the husband families are fully
responsible for the payment the dowry. The narrator conderm the culture of
bride price. John Gilbert friends has not got married because he has not
gathered enough money to pay bride – price. According to him is going to marry.
“as soon as I can pay the dowry .... Now a man who has four grown up daughters
counts himself a very wealthy man. Each daughter will bring to the father at
least a hundred pound in cash, in Raw
cash. bride – price in one of the
outlandish traditions that need to be done with because women are not
commodities to be transacted in the market.
Another
tradition condemned by the narrator is circumstance or what is other wise known
as female general mutilation which is a
prevalent practice in many traditional
African societies. Medically, the traditional is injurious to the health
of women the process is painful and
efuru is made to pass through feasting fattening after circumstance traditions
such as the payment of the bride price and female genital mutilation are
condemned by the narrator and should be discouraged among African people it is
surprisingly that flora Nwapa and many
other African female writers have not come out to stand against an
injustice meeting out against women portraying as housemaids instead she uses efuru a woman her domestic roles so that
she focuses her business. Can we
summit still that house servant
is among the secluded roles or positions
in Africans society? Why is it still existing that ,many women most
especially the elites, demand for a female or women house maids? Left or remained these and
many other question are still
left or remained vacuum to be filled by women critics or writers either this act is to be condemned or redeemed.
Another
important role woman perform in the society is perseverance as efuru believes
in negotiation her might through pacification rather than the use of violence
to achieve her goal. This explain why she
succumbs to extra marital affairs of her husband who elopes with another
women. According to efuru after all .... “ he is the lord and master if he
wants to marry her i cannot stop him “ (55) the voice above tactifullly support
marriage including polygamy but within this vacuum efuru wants her dignity to
be preserved and not just abandoned unfortunately adizua elopement with the
anonymous women to Ndoni is the last we hear of
him. This is an act of irresponsible father hood which African female
writers try to condemned. Thus this makes writers, the righters and women are understood
to be the “second class citizens “ as buchi emechata titled one of his novels
where she paints the life of women in the pangs of men. The text efuru shows
that the women position in African community is categorized as “ second” in a
male dominated environment.
It
is also unlucky that ossai efuru mother in law has emitially suffered the same
fate in the hands of adizua father which adds credence to the fact that adizua
comes from an irresponsible lineage. Adizua’s father abandons her mother for six
years while he gallivants around lavishing the fortunes he and his wife had worked for an women . efuru examines her life as the
wife of adizua and voices out saying “ i know i am capable of suffering for
greater things but to suffer for a truant husband, an irresponsible husband
like adizua is to be debase suffering “ (61- 62)
It
is the untold suffering of efuru in the hands of adizua that makes ajampu
concludes that: “ some men are not like dogs that do not know who feeds them”
(58). This paints another pictures of women as bread winner. Adizua therefore,
represents an irresponsible and absentee father who earning of his
wife
Flora Nwapa deconstructs living through the general belief of men as
can also evidenced in whole Soyinka’s
The
Lion and the jewel that women are “
weaker sex “ she compares the female characters in the novel with their male
counterparts, it is discovered that most of the female characters in the text
are more outstanding and chivalric than their male counterparts. When the home
of Nwapa bata and Nwosu is robbed, Nwabata is aware of the presence of the
thieves but she does not raise alarm because of the fear of being murdered.
Meanwhile her husband Nwosu has been fast asleep and is not aware of the
robbery incident. Therefore the image of Nwosu created in this text is that of
a weakling and cowardly character in contract to the effeminate Nwosu Ajumpa is
described as an enigma. The day some
theeves attacked her house, she challenged them to break in and meet their
death. Ajanupu is a counrageous woman. In demonstration of her bravery she challenges the thieves to come and attack her
so that they can lick their “ blood” women in African history and
historiography, have unblemished militant roles in their various communities. Women
are more security alert them men to further condemned made hegemony, the narrator frowns at how john
and Gulbert come to the term that preference should be given to the education
of a male children at the expense of a female child (191) the narrator believes
that when a girl child acquires functional education and men allow her to
complete her education before marrying her ...she can teach and thus bring
theme also resonates strongly in Zaynab Alkali’s the stillborn, the descendants
and the invisible Border.
Female.
Now throughout the world, it seems things are changing in order to recognise
the stand and position of women in the society. Men oppressed the women,
culture refused to accommodate their technical know how religions relegate
women to the background and even some women in the past patriarch in subjugating
other women in the past.
1.3
AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The
objective of this study is to investigate the magnitude and causes of poor
reception and depiction of women in many Nigerian novels by what of
society and paint the real picture and
position of women in female imaginative works
from Flora Nwapa’s intervention
in the parlance of writing till present. While doing this the study aims at
proffering significant remedies to the anomalies that have poor condition of
women.
This
study also aims at analyzing what constitutes inappropriate criticism, in order
to put their qualities in proper perspective.
Study
further aims at exploring the way in which same African male writer view gender
inequalities and stereotypes in their female character depiction.
Lastly
this is work is very percipient to bring out woman desire for change from man
patriarch idealism using feminism perspective.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
significance of this study is to serve as a yardstick for further research
especially in modern African literature.
It
is not surprising that erudite female scholars ferociously challenged the
belief which has provided a solid foundation for a negative part royal of
female characters in literacy works erected on the patriarchal Ideas of men. This would add more flavour to the
existing search material.
Another
significance of this study is in the tradition condemned by the author, the
traditional circumstance or what is otherwise known as female genetal
mutilation which is a prevalent practice in many traditional African societies.
This study reveals that the tradition is injurious to the women health.
The
study is significant in giving voice to the female towards actualizing economic
buoyant in the family, and this is achieved through pacification rather than
the adoption of violence.
The
study also itemizes the political advantages of recognizing females/women in
the society as observed in the character of the eponymous heroine in the novel.
This is project provides a link between the academic community the problems of
identity and those of political organisation .
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION
i. What is the basic fundamental concern of the
author writing the text.
ii.
Has the author succeeded in conveying the message.
iii.
Does the novel have anything related to the plight of African women ?
iv.
Does the theme of the novel deal with
issues affecting African women or are there sub theme relating to it?
v.
In what ways do the authors portray the
position of women – negative or positive retrogressive or progressive, wise or
wicked?
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