This Presentation based on Motherhood in ‘Joys of Motherhood’: The Universal Happiness .

2. Motherhood in ‘Joys of
Motherhood’: The Universal
Happiness
- Prepared by Nirali Dabhi

3. Academic Information
Name: Nirali Dabhi
Roll number: 13
Enrollment Number: 4069206420220006
Sem: 4 M.A
Paper number: 206
Paper Code: 22413
Paper Name: African Literatures
Topic: Corruption in Indian Society: A Revolution 2020
Perspective
Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi, Department of English, M.K.B.U
Email: niralidabhi95@gmail.com

4. 01
Motherhood
Table of Contents
Introduction
of Author
Introduction
of Novel
Nnu Ego as
Mother
02
03 04
05 06
Representation Of
Sorrow Of
Motherhood
Sacrifices and
Hardships
07 African Vs Indian
Motherhood

5. Questions
● How does Buchi Emecheta portray Nnu Ego's journey into
motherhood?
● How does Nnu Ego's perception of motherhood evolve
throughout the novel?
● What are the sacrifices does Nnu Ego make for her children
throughout the novel?
● How does Nnu Ego's experience of motherhood compare to
traditional African notions of motherhood?

6. Brief Introduction of Author
● Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017): Nigerian novelist, playwright, and
essayist.
● She was Nigerian-born British author, widely regarded as one of
the most important African female writers of her generation.
● Known for insightful exploration of African women's lives,
especially in post-colonial Nigeria.
● Moved to England in 1960 for education, faced challenges as an
immigrant single mother.
● Themes: gender, identity, colonialism, and motherhood in African
societies.
● Notable works: "The Joys of Motherhood," "Second-Class Citizen,"
"The Bride Price," "The Slave Girl.”
● Her Contribution to literature earned widespread acclaim for
illuminating resilience and agency of African women.
● Emecheta's works often reflect her feminist perspective and her
commitment to giving voice to the experiences of African women.
Buchi
Emecheta

7. Introduction of Novel
The Joys of
Motherhood
● "The Joys of Motherhood" is first published in 1979. Set in
post-colonial Nigeria, the story follows the life of Nnu Ego,
a woman from a small village who navigates the
complexities of motherhood amidst cultural and societal
expectations.
● Nnu Ego's journey, Emecheta offers a poignant
examination of the sacrifices and struggles faced by
women in their roles as mothers, as well as the profound
joys and rewards that come with motherhood.
● Emecheta's vivid storytelling and insightful portrayal of
Nigerian culture and traditions make "The Joys of
Motherhood" a compelling and thought-provoking read,
shedding light on the universal experiences of women and
the enduring strength of maternal love.

8. ● Motherhood in some quarters is seen as a sacred and powerful spiritual path
for a woman to take.
● In literature and in other discourses alike, motherhood is a recurrent theme
across cultures.
● Buchi Emecheta applies Western feminist ideology of ‘Motherhood’ for
criticizing the African patriarchal aspects of ‘Mothering’. Motherhood is
believed to be the central focuses of women’s isolation and oppression. It is
rightly said that, “the joys of motherhood is a kind of false consciousness, it
really is a power relation and women are duped into thinking that it holds any
promise of sovereignty or free expression”(Kinser)
● The novel is dedicated to all mothers which open with the first chapter “The
Mother” and end with the last chapter, “The Canonized Mother”
Motherhood

9. Introduction of Nnu Ego as Mother
● Nnu Ego running hysterically towards a river to commit suicide
after the death of her first child, a son named Ngozi. This
shocking scene immediately establishes the central importance
Nnu Ego places on motherhood.
● As the narration goes back in time, we learn that Nnu Ego was
sent back from her first marriage to Amatokwu because she
could not conceive a child initially. This made Amatokwu label
her "as barren as a desert" and take a second, pregnant wife
while neglecting Nnu Ego.
● The passage vividly portrays Nnu Ego's desperate longing to
become a mother - she tries surreptitiously breastfeeding her co-
wife's newborn, whispering "Why did you not come to me? I
cried in the nights and longed for a child like you." When
her breasts start leaking milk, she appeals to her chi (personal
god), asking why she cannot have her own child when she is not
barren.

10. ● After facing this humiliation of being called barren, Nnu Ego is married
off by her father again, this time to Nnaife Owulum in Lagos. The
passage shows her appalled by Nnaife's unattractive appearance
initially, but then reveals "she starts loving that ugly and fat man
when he makes her pregnant."
● Nnu Ego states bluntly: "with this son I am going to start loving this
man. He has made me a real woman - all I want is to be a woman
and a mother." This lays bare how consumed she is by the singular goal
of motherhood to validate her womanhood.
● After years of sacrificing everything for her family, Nnu Ego is forced to
realise that the joy of icing a mother was the joy of giving all to her
children.
● Nnu Ego's death, her children build a shrine in her memory where women
can seek her blessings to conceive children. However, despite the
expectations that she would continue to bless others with fertility, Nnu
Ego chooses not to grant such blessings from beyond the grave.
● Buchi Emecheta stated in atalk with Adeola James that “in Joys of
Motherhood…I created a woman who had eight children and
died by the wayside”(Adeola)

11. Representation Of Sorrow Of Motherhood
● Nnu Ego faces victimization and enslavement to the dictates of traditional
Igbo culture regarding women's primary role as child-bearers.
● Despite her intense desire for children, motherhood brings her nothing but
relinquishment, disgrace and failure.
● She faces neglect, abandonment and abuse from her husbands when unable
to conceive initially.
● The deaths of her children like Ngozi cause her immense grief and
depression.
● She is burdened by poverty and the struggle to provide for her many children
with little support.
● Her belief that sons will take care of her in old age is shattered when they
leave her.
● She feels imprisoned and enslaved by her love and responsibilities towards
her children.
● In the end, she dies alone on the road with none of her children by her side,
having achieved little fulfillment despite her incredible sacrifices as a mother.

12. ● Nnu Ego faces neglect and abuse from her first husband Amatokwu when
she is unable to conceive children initially. He even takes a second wife,
adding to her distress.
● With multiple children including twins, Nnu Ego feels "imprisoned" and
"enslaved" by the love and responsibilities of motherhood that drain her
physically and emotionally.
● Her belief that her sons will support her proves false when they leave Nigeria,
shattering her hopes of a joyful old age taken care of by them.
● All her immense sacrifices as a mother, Nnu Ego dies alone and
unnoticed on the roadside, with none of her children by her side.
Sacrifices and Hardships

13. African Vs Indian Motherhood
● In traditional African societies represented in the novel, motherhood is highly
venerated and seen as a woman's primary role and source of status. Having
many children, especially sons, is considered essential for a woman's security
and respect in her old age.
● Motherhood is still highly valued in Indian culture, there seems to be more
recognition of women's rights to education and independence outside of the
mother role.
● The novel critiques how African women's identities are subsumed into
motherhood, with little room for individual self-fulfillment. Indian feminism has
worked towards giving women more choices beyond just being mothers and
wives. Both cultures traditionally promoted prolific motherhood and
associated a woman's worth with her fertility. However, Indian feminists have
challenged this more openly compared to what is depicted in the African
context of the novel.

14. ● The 1957 classic Mother India starring Nargis as
the suffering mother Radha epitomizes this
veneration of maternal sacrifice. Like Nnu Ego,
Radha endures poverty and hardship while
single-handedly supporting her family through
hard labor after her husband's abandonment.
Her entire identity is subsumed into being an
ideal long-suffering mother.
● "Mother India" and "The Joys of Motherhood"
celebrate the resilience, love, and sacrifice
inherent in motherhood, while also highlighting
the profound joys and rewards that come with
nurturing and caring for one's children.(Khan)
● Both Mothers play role in shaping the lives of
their children.
Mother India

15. ● The recent TV show Anupama also
challenges traditional mother stereotypes by
showing the titular character as a strong,
multi-dimensional woman who leaves her
ungrateful husband and son to rediscover
her independence while still being a caring
mom. This nuanced depiction provides an
alternative to the rigid mythicization of
mothers that entraps Nnu Ego.(Kalra and
Shahi)
Anupama

16. Old Age Homes
● Many mothers endure immense hardships,
sacrificing their own aspirations and comfort
to ensure that their children receive an
education, opportunities, and a better future.
● The Children's refused to shoulder her
responsibility.
● Mothers brought up their children with so much
care. But once they become old, they denied to
take up responsibility.
● Where mothers selflessly sacrifice their own
well-being and aspirations to provide for their
children, only to face rejection or neglect in
their later years..(Sargam)

17. Conclusion
● This work powerfully depict the stark contrast between the
glorification of motherhood in society and the actual lived realities of
mothers. The protagonists - Nnu Ego have to endure immense
personal sacrifice, hardship, and suffering in order to live up to
societal expectations of ideal motherhood within patriarchal
frameworks. The story underscore how the societal veneration of
mothers is often coupled with a lack of autonomy, financial struggles,
and denial of individual desires beyond their prescribed roles.
Ultimately, these narratives serve as poignant critiques of the heavy
burdens and costs associated with the pedestalization of motherhood
across cultures, while also celebrating the resilience and strength of
mothers in the face of adversity. She compel society to reevaluate its
gender norms and provide more support systems to alleviate the
challenges mothers encounter.

18. Recursos
● Adeola, J. “Buchi Emecheta,” In Their Own Voice: African Women Writers Talk. London: Currey, 1990,
p. 43
● Akujobi, Remi. “Motherhood in African Literature and Culture.” Purdue e-Pubs, 2011,
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1706&context=clcweb. Accessed 30 March
2024.
● Balavatbhai, Varde Hirenkumar. “Tale of African Women: Buchi Emecheta's a joy of motherhood.”
International Journal of Advanced Academic Studies, 2020,
https://www.allstudyjournal.com/article/77/2-2-7-521.pdf. Accessed 30 March 2024.
● Barman, Susmita. “Mother India : A Cinematic Discovery Of Indian Sentiments.” tlhjournal, December
2022, https://tlhjournal.com/uploads/products/39.susmita-barman-article.pdf. Accessed 30 March
2024.
● Emecheta, Buchi. The Joys of Motherhood. Penguin Books, 2022.
● Holst, Petersen. “Buchi Emecheta | Databases Explored.” Gale, 1992,
https://www.gale.com/intl/databases-explored/literature/buchi-emecheta. Accessed 2 April 2024.
● Kalra, Romesh, and Rajan Shahi, creators. Anupamaa. Director's Kut Productions, 2020.
● Khan, Mehboob, director. Mother India. Mehboob Productions, 1957.
● Kinser, Amber E. Motherhood and Feminism: Seal Studies. Basic Books, 2010.
● Martine, Marie Giselle. “Tied to tradition: The silenced rage of the African woman in selected novels
of Buchi Emechata.” Research Online, 1992,
https://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1417&context=theses_hons. Accessed 30 March
2024.

19. ● P, Sasikumar. “The Paradox of Motherhood in Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood.” Language
in India, 6 June 2019,
http://www.languageinindia.com/june2019/sasikumarjoysofmotherhoodfinal1.pdf. Accessed 30
March 2024.
● Rani, Rinku. “Motherhood is Womanhood: Myth or Reality? A Study of Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of
Motherhood.” LanguageinIndia, February 2020,
http://www.languageinindia.com/feb2020/v20i2feb2020.pdf#page=55. Accessed 30 March 2024.
● Sargam, Ramesh. “Old age homes.” Times of India, 27 March 2019,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/rightpath/old-age-homes-2729/. Accessed 2 April
2024.
● Sabanpan-Yu, Hope. “Women Coming to Voice in Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and Espina-
Moore’s Mila’s Mother.” Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society, vol. 38, no. 3, 2010, pp. 274–89.
JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41762433. Accessed 2 Apr. 2024.
● Sindhu, T., and Dr. Suresh Frederick. “Representation Of The Sorrow Of Motherhood In Buchi
Emecheta’s The Joys Of Motherhood.” JLLS, 2021,
https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/LC/article/download/36803/13504. Accessed 2 April 2024.
● Thomas, Rosie. “Sanctity and Scandal: The Mythologization of Mother India.” Northern Arizona
University, 7 March 2013,
https://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~sj6/filmandhistory/Rosie%20Thomas%20Mother%20India.pdf. Accessed 30
March 2024.
● Umeh, Marie A. “The Joys of Motherhood: Myth or Reality?” Digital Commons Colby, March 1982,
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=2471&context=
cq. Accessed 30 March 2024.

20. Thank You