Buchi Emecheta's fictions explore the diverse experiences of motherhood in various socio-cultural contexts, ranging from the pre-colonial Ibuza to the post-colonial Lagos and London. Her female characters face the existential challenges of being Nigerian women in a patriarchal society undergoing rapid changes, where motherhood often exacerbates their predicament. In African culture, motherhood is a highly valued and respected role for women, and this is reflected in the literary representations of African women by African writers. Two main images of the African woman as mother emerge in African creative writing. The first is the African mother as a sublime symbol while the second image is as a victim of suffering and sacrifice. This article explores the intrinsic dilemmas and disappointments of Nnu Ego as a Nigerian mother in The Joys of Motherhood. It explores what it means to be mother in Nigeria where traditions and customs are changing, as well as marriage, colonialism and women's roles in society.
Research Scholar (JRF), University Dept. of English, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh
