In five pages this novel's themes are examined with the focus being on the effects on Nigeria's colonization on females. Two sources are cited in the bibliography.
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Joys of Motherhood, one is forced to reexamine the culture whose only definition of a woman is wrapped up in her ability to have children and provide service for her
husband. In The Joys of Motherhood, two places affect the life of Nnu Ego, the main characters, life. Both Lagos and the Ibo village bring out various characteristics in Nnu
Ego and as such play and integral role in the success of the book. Her story is the same story, in many respects, of all women who in the past
have had to struggle through the tough soil, the broken debris of dreams, obstacles of gender and race, all for the hope of breaking through the surface and feeling the
sunlight on her face. It can be stated that part of what makes a good character is that they are three dimensional. They are that curious blend of good
and evil, saint and sinner, and have the unmitigated ability to contradict themselves in a type of self deception that sometimes reveals more about their character than mindless conformity to
social situations would. At first blush, the women are called weak and therefore are somehow less than the men in the village. However, as the men in the story
fall apart, the truth is laid open for the reader to see. In reality, it is the women who are silently stoic because theirs is the inner strength that raised
families, nursed the wounded, and silently supported the endeavors of their husbands. Emechta explores the theme of sexuality and how the defeating limitation that this places on a
woman can be staggering to the spirit. Nnu routinely finds her value as a woman in her ability to raise and bear children, even though her husband treats her poorly.