AFRICAN PROSE
BUCHI EMECHETA: The Joys of Motherhood
Discuss three instances of conflict in the novel.
Explanation
There are many instances of conflict in the novel. One of the major conflicts emanates from marital relationships Nnu Ego's marriage to Amatokwu is fraught with conflict brought on by her childlessness. She is treated with contempt by her husband and his family because she cannot have a child. At the end, she is disgracefully thrown out of her matrimonial home. Conflict also arises from the practice of polygamy.
The relationship between Nnaife and Nnu-Ego, though it had its problems, is relatively cordial until the introduction of another woman into the household. The moment Adaku comes into the home the relationship between Nnaife and Nnu Ego degenerates. The women immediately become enemies and attempt to hurt each other.
There is also a conflict in the Ona-Agbadi relationship. Agbadi's insensitively to the feelings of his other wives as hE makes love to his mistress, Ona, breeds resentment in his wives and ultimately results in Agunwa's death. Ethnic conflict: is manifested in the relationship between the Ibo-Nnaife family and their proposed Yoruba suitors. This results in a near fatal machete attack which sees Nnaife ending up in jail.
There is a further conflict between the parents expectation of the male children's commitment to their families anc the realities of the situation. While Nnaife and Nnu-Ego expect Oshia and Adim to support them financially after the have gone overseas, the reality is that the children ignore them completely. This leads to resentment on the part of thE parents and an almost complete severance of family ties.