SECTION A: AFRICAN PROSE
How is conflict in marriage portrayed in the novel?
Explanation
Portrayal of Conflict in Marriage in Second Class Citizen
Buchi Emecheta's Second Class Citizen vividly portrays the struggles of marriage, particularly within the context of gender roles, cultural expectations, and immigrant experiences. The protagonist, Adah Obi, faces multiple conflicts in her marriage to Francis Obi, which highlight issues of oppression, financial dependence, and domestic abuse.
Adah's marriage to Francis is rooted in patriarchal traditions, where the husband is seen as the head of the household while the wife is expected to be submissive. Despite Adah being ambitious and hardworking, Francis insists on controlling her life, including her finances and career decisions. This creates ongoing friction, as Adah resists conforming to the role of a passive wife.
Conflict in marriage is also portrayed through the family's financial struggles and Francis' dependence on Adah. Adah is the primary breadwinner, yet Francis refuses to acknowledge her contributions. Instead, he wastes money and demands total financial control. He believes that as a man, he should be the one in charge, even though he refuses to work. This economic imbalance fuels conflict, as Adah becomes increasingly resentful of his irresponsibility.
Also, Francis resorts to physical violence and emotional manipulation to assert his authority. He beats Adah for disobeying him, such as when she tries to pursue her education or when she asserts her independence. The abuse symbolizes not just a personal conflict but also the broader struggles of many women in oppressive marriages.
As immigrants in London, Adah and Francis experience racial discrimination and societal alienation, which further strain their marriage. Instead of facing these challenges together, Francis uses them as an excuse for his failures, blaming Adah for their struggles. The novel suggests that cultural displacement can either strengthen or break relationships, depending on how couples navigate their difficulties.
A key conflict in the novel is Adah’s desire for self-improvement versus Francis' stagnation. While Adah aspires to become a writer and give her children a better life, Francis is content with mediocrity and actively discourages her ambitions. This ideological clash ultimately leads to the breakdown of their marriage.
In Second Class Citizen, marriage is portrayed as a battleground of power, control and survival, especially for a woman determined to defy societal norms. Through Adah's journey, Emecheta critiques the patriarchal structures that oppress women and highlights the resilience needed to break free from a toxic relationship. Ultimately, Adah’s decision to leave Francis symbolizes self-liberation and the pursuit of dignity over societal expectations.