The Identity of Woman in Buchi Emechetas The Joys of Motherhood.
Let it be known that Buchi Emecheta, the author of The Joys of Motherhood, does not consider herself a feminist. She has said herself that she identifies much more with the term womanist. Whatever you call it, Emecheta clearly identifies with the plight of the Nigerian Woman in her novel The Joys of Motherhood. The story, set in colonial Nigeria around the time of the Second World War, paints a picture of life in the port-city of Lagos and an Ibo village. Nnu Ego is the character who traverses these two existences and whose life presents the framework in which the book unfolds. Emecheta explores the dualities and complexities of the Colonialist shift through the dualities and complexities of Nnu Egos life, which is desperately devoted to the pursuit of successful womanhood in two cultures at the same time. By tying womanhood and motherhood together, the inextricable link is made. Nnu Ego cannot be a real woman unless she is a mother, if she is not a successful mother she has no value as woman.
With the exception of the first chapter of the book, Joys of Motherhood is propelled by a linear narrative that begins with the story of Nnu Egos mother and finishes with the death of Nnu Ego herself. The scenario that begins Emechetas tale is a quick account of Nnu Egos reaction to the death of her firstborn child. .
For how would she be able to face the world after what had happened? No, it was better not to try. It was best to end it all this way, the only good way. (8) .
Nnu Ego would rather die by her own hand than face her family and friends as a failed mother. By isolating Nnu Egos suicide attempt from the rest of the narrative, Emecheta begins her story by turning her readers attention to the focus of Nnu Egos life and where her priorities are. .
To many western readers, it would appear that although a newborns death is a tragic event, one that might even drive a mother to suicide over the death of her child, Nnu Egos grief is not only over the loss of her child, but the loss of what the child inherently grants her.
