Colonial Period in Africa and the Rise of New Classes of Women in Literature: A Study in Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Flora Nwapa’s Efuru and Women are Different

Abstract

This paper highlights the African woman’s changing status from colonial period as seen through Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Flora Nwapa‘s Efuru and Women are Different. As such, a detailed examination of the two authors’ works reveals some courageous female characters who challenge patriarchal practices and assert themselves. Then, thanks to western education and to women’s dedication to trade, Adaku and Kehinde in The Joys of Motherhood, Efuru in Efuru and Agnes, Rose and Dora in Women are Different develop some skills and competence that help them arouse awareness of their human rights. There is the rise of new classes of women compared to the early years of colonization in Africa. This paper posits that for an integrated development of African countries, women should be educated and involved into the decision-making process. Deconstruction is the bedrock on which the analysis has been conducted as the female characters in the focus novels dismantle the phallogocentric norms.