The first book I wrote was The Bride Price which was a romantic book, but my husband burnt the book when he saw it. I was the typical African woman, I'd done this privately, I wanted him to look at it, approve it and he said he wouldn't read it.

Summary

This quote, spoken by the author Buchi Emecheta, highlights the constraints and expectations placed upon African women during a time when traditional gender roles prevailed. Her husband's refusal to even read her book symbolizes the limited agency and patriarchal control experienced by many women. Emecheta's desire for approval speaks to the desire for validation and acceptance in a society where women's aspirations and creative pursuits were often overlooked or devalued. Despite facing these challenges, Emecheta went on to become a prominent figure in African literature, using her writing as a means to give voice to the often silenced experiences of women.

Topics