Representation of Western and African Cultures: A Contextual Study of Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood

Abstract

Buchi Emecheta, an author originally from Nigeria, stands out as one of the most prominent female writers to have emerged from postcolonial Africa. Her work is renowned for its compelling depictions of women’s oppression and the conflicts arising from differing cultural values in contemporary Africa. Her well-known novel, such as The Joys of Motherhood, throws light on the injustice of traditional African social customs that oppress women, relegating them to a life of childbearing, servitude, and victimization. Emecheta is frequently acknowledged as a feminist author who highlights the significance of education and self-determination for young women confronting sexual discrimination and unsatisfactory marriages in their pursuit of individuality and independence. While she critiques the patriarchal tribal culture, her works also convey a profound appreciation for African heritage and folklore, illustrating the conflicting allegiances of Africans caught between tradition and modernity. Emecheta’s realistic characters, engaging prose style, and sociological insights have garnered her considerable acclaim, as she offers an authentic female perspective within contemporary African literature. As a prominent female voice in this literary landscape, Emecheta has achieved international recognition for her powerful depiction of the female experience in African society, particularly in her homeland of Nigeria. The paper is an attempt to critically analyse the both western and native culture as represented by Buchi Emecheta in her novel The Joys of Motherhood.