208: Comparative Literature & Translation Studies

Reimagining the Humanities in the Digital Age: A Study of Todd Presner’s Perspective

Name: Trupti Naik

Batch: M.A Sem 4 [2023-2025]

Enrollment Number : 5108230028

Roll number: 25

 E-mail Address: nayaktrupti188@gmail.com

Assignment details:- 

Topic: Reimagining the Humanities in the Digital Age: A Study of Todd Presner’s Perspective

Paper: 208: Comparative Literature & Translation Studies

Subject code: 22415

Submitted to:- S.B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Genereted by Chatgpt

Abstract

Digital humanities have transformed traditional research and education by integrating computational tools with humanistic inquiry. Todd Presner examines how this interdisciplinary field redefines knowledge production, emphasizing accessibility, collaboration, and ethical responsibilities. He highlights both the opportunities and challenges posed by digital methodologies, including the risks of digital exclusion, data ethics, and the tension between traditional and digital scholarship. While digital humanities offer innovative approaches to historical and literary studies, they also raise concerns about sustainability, funding, and the potential loss of deep reading. Presner advocates for a balanced approach that leverages digital tools while preserving the critical and interpretive depth of humanities. The future of humanities in the digital era depends on ethical engagement, inclusivity, and the continued dialogue between technology and humanistic scholarship.

Keywords

Digital humanities, knowledge production, accessibility, data ethics, digital exclusion, interdisciplinary research, computational tools, cultural preservation, traditional scholarship, digital archives.

Introduction

The advancement of technology has significantly influenced the humanities, reshaping traditional methods of research, teaching, and knowledge dissemination. Todd Presner, a leading scholar in digital humanities, argues that this field extends beyond the simple digitization of texts. Instead, it introduces interdisciplinary approaches that integrate literature, history, and technology, transforming the ways in which knowledge is created and shared.

Presner emphasizes that digital humanities should not be restricted to conventional academic methods but should encourage innovation, collaboration, and ethical engagement with technology. He highlights the importance of participatory knowledge production, open access to information, and the critical examination of digital tools to address contemporary social and cultural challenges. His perspective underscores the need to rethink the role of humanities in a digital age, ensuring that scholarship remains dynamic and inclusive.

The discussion of digital humanities involves examining its interdisciplinary nature, the impact of technology on research methodologies, and the ethical considerations surrounding digital scholarship. While digital humanities offer new possibilities for academic work, challenges such as accessibility, reliance on technology, and tensions between traditional and digital scholarship also emerge. Understanding these aspects provides insight into the evolving role of humanities in the modern era.

The Evolution of Digital Humanities

The field of digital humanities has developed alongside advancements in technology, fundamentally changing how research and scholarship are conducted. Initially, the humanities relied on traditional methods such as close reading, archival research, and textual analysis. However, the introduction of digital tools and computational techniques has expanded the scope of humanities research, enabling new forms of inquiry and interpretation.

The early stages of digital humanities focused primarily on digitizing texts and creating searchable databases, making literary and historical materials more accessible. Over time, the field has evolved beyond simple digitization to include sophisticated methodologies such as text mining, data visualization, geospatial analysis, and network mapping. These approaches allow scholars to identify patterns, connections, and trends that would be difficult to detect through conventional methods.

Todd Presner highlights that digital humanities is not merely a technological extension of traditional humanities but a rethinking of how knowledge is produced and shared. He emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the field, which brings together literature, history, media studies, and computer science to foster collaboration and innovation. This shift has led to new forms of scholarship that are interactive, participatory, and open to wider audiences beyond academia.

Despite its growth, digital humanities face challenges, including concerns about digital literacy, ethical data use, and the accessibility of digital resources. While technology offers new possibilities, it also raises questions about the role of traditional humanistic inquiry in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The evolution of digital humanities reflects an ongoing transformation in scholarship, one that continues to redefine the ways knowledge is created and understood.

Key Concepts in Presner’s Argument

Todd Presner presents digital humanities as a dynamic and evolving field that goes beyond merely applying digital tools to traditional humanities research. He argues that digital humanities reshape the way knowledge is produced, analyzed, and disseminated, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, participatory engagement, and ethical considerations in academic work. His key concepts highlight the transformative role of technology while also cautioning against uncritical acceptance of digital methods.

1. Interdisciplinarity: Bridging Humanities and Technology

One of the foundational aspects of digital humanities, according to Presner, is its inherently interdisciplinary nature. Unlike traditional humanities, which often remain within specific disciplines such as literature, history, or philosophy, digital humanities integrate multiple fields, including computer science, media studies, linguistics, and social sciences. This interdisciplinary approach expands the scope of humanities research, allowing scholars to apply computational methods to analyze texts, cultural artifacts, and historical data.

For example, digital tools such as text mining, geospatial analysis, and artificial intelligence enable researchers to uncover patterns and relationships that were previously difficult to detect. Text mining can help analyze large corpora of literature, revealing thematic connections across centuries, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can map historical events in ways that provide new insights into cultural and political developments. By bringing together different fields, digital humanities create new opportunities for research that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.

2. Participatory Knowledge Production: Expanding Access to Scholarship

Presner emphasizes the shift from an exclusive, academic-centered model of research to a more participatory and collaborative form of knowledge production. In traditional humanities, research is often confined to academic institutions, with limited access to scholarly work due to paywalls, institutional restrictions, and print-based publication models. Digital humanities challenge this exclusivity by promoting open-access platforms, digital archives, and crowdsourced research projects.

A key example of participatory knowledge production is Wikipedia, where knowledge is collaboratively created and constantly updated by a global community. Similarly, projects like the Rosetta Project and Europeana provide free access to vast digital collections of texts, historical documents, and artworks. This shift allows knowledge to be more widely distributed, enabling non-academics, students, and independent researchers to contribute to and benefit from scholarly resources.

Moreover, digital humanities foster global collaboration, allowing scholars from different parts of the world to work together on research projects without physical constraints. Open-source digital tools and platforms enable the sharing of data, facilitating a more inclusive and interactive academic environment. Presner sees this transformation as essential for democratizing knowledge and breaking down the barriers between academia and the public.

3. Critical Engagement with Technology: Questioning Digital Methods

While digital humanities embrace technological advancements, Presner cautions against an uncritical acceptance of digital tools and methods. He argues that scholars must actively engage with the implications of technology, questioning how digital platforms, algorithms, and artificial intelligence shape knowledge production and dissemination.

One concern is the potential bias embedded within digital algorithms and databases. Search engines, social media platforms, and AI-driven content recommendations often reflect existing cultural and political biases, shaping how users access information. If digital humanities scholars rely on such tools without critical evaluation, they risk reinforcing systemic biases rather than challenging them.

Another issue is the reliability and sustainability of digital research projects. Unlike printed books and manuscripts, digital archives and online platforms are subject to rapid technological change, server failures, and software obsolescence. Presner calls for digital humanists to develop strategies for digital preservation, ensuring that future generations can access and engage with digital scholarship.

By encouraging scholars to question the role of technology in humanities research, Presner advocates for a critical and reflective approach to digital methodologies rather than passive adoption.

4. Ethical and Cultural Implications

Todd Presner highlights the ethical and cultural challenges associated with digital humanities, particularly in relation to accessibility, representation, and the responsible use of technology. He argues that while digital humanities have the potential to democratize knowledge, they also risk reinforcing inequalities if issues of digital exclusion and ethical scholarship are not carefully addressed.

4.1 Digital Exclusion and Accessibility

One of Presner’s primary concerns is the digital divide, which refers to disparities in access to digital resources and technologies. While digital humanities aim to make knowledge more widely available, not all institutions, scholars, or communities have equal access to the necessary tools and infrastructure. Wealthy universities and research centers often dominate digital scholarship, leaving underfunded institutions and marginalized communities with limited opportunities to participate.

Additionally, many historical and literary archives remain centered on Western perspectives, neglecting voices from non-Western cultures and historically marginalized groups. Presner calls for increased efforts to make digital humanities more inclusive by supporting open-access initiatives, providing funding for underrepresented institutions, and ensuring that digital resources are accessible to diverse audiences.

4.2 Addressing Historical Injustices

Digital humanities play a crucial role in recovering and amplifying voices that have been historically silenced. Presner emphasizes that digital projects can help address past injustices by making overlooked histories visible and accessible. For example, initiatives such as the Slave Voyages Database, which documents the transatlantic slave trade, and the Mukurtu CMS, a platform designed to help Indigenous communities manage their digital heritage, demonstrate how digital humanities can be used to preserve and promote cultural diversity.

By digitizing lost or marginalized texts, oral histories, and cultural artifacts, digital humanities provide new opportunities to challenge dominant historical narratives and empower communities whose histories have been erased or misrepresented. However, Presner also stresses the need for ethical approaches to such projects, ensuring that they are developed in collaboration with the communities they represent.

4.3 Ethical Responsibilities in Handling Big Data and Digital Archives

As digital humanities increasingly rely on big data and artificial intelligence, ethical concerns related to privacy, data ownership, and informed consent become critical. Presner warns against the misuse of digital archives, particularly when dealing with sensitive historical records or personal data. Issues such as the commercialization of data, algorithmic bias, and the potential for misrepresentation pose serious challenges to ethical scholarship.

To address these concerns, digital humanists must establish ethical guidelines for data collection, usage, and preservation. This includes obtaining proper permissions, ensuring data transparency, and critically evaluating how digital tools influence knowledge production. Presner advocates for responsible digital practices that prioritize inclusivity, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity in all aspects of digital scholarship.

5. Redefining Scholarship in the Digital Age: Changing the Academic Landscape

Presner also challenges traditional notions of academic authorship, publishing, and scholarly evaluation in the context of digital humanities. In conventional academia, research is often evaluated based on single-author publications, peer-reviewed journal articles, and monographs. However, digital humanities projects often involve collaborative teams, interactive platforms, and evolving digital archives that do not fit into traditional academic assessment models.

For example, digital projects such as The Women Writers Project, which curates early modern women’s texts, and The Stanford Literary Lab, which applies computational methods to literary studies, challenge the conventional idea of a single-author research output. Digital scholarship often requires contributions from programmers, designers, historians, and linguists, making it difficult to measure individual contributions in the same way as traditional humanities research.

Moreover, the format of digital scholarship differs from print-based academic work. Interactive databases, multimedia storytelling, and digital visualizations present knowledge in non-linear ways, requiring new methods of evaluation. Presner calls for academia to recognize and validate these new forms of scholarly work, ensuring that digital humanities researchers receive the same academic credit and recognition as those working in traditional disciplines.

Challenges and Criticism of Digital Humanities

Despite its many advantages, digital humanities face significant challenges and criticisms. Scholars have raised concerns about the potential loss of traditional humanistic methods, the reliance on technology and funding, and the tensions between digital and conventional academic approaches.

1 Potential Loss of Deep Reading and Close Textual Analysis

One of the major criticisms of digital humanities is that the emphasis on computational methods and data-driven research may come at the expense of deep reading and close textual analysis—two foundational practices in the humanities. Traditional literary and historical scholarship relies on careful, detailed interpretations of texts, considering themes, context, and language in depth. Critics argue that digital methods, such as text mining and algorithmic analysis, risk reducing complex literary works to mere data points, potentially overlooking the richness of human expression and interpretation.

While digital humanities offer powerful tools for large-scale analysis, Presner acknowledges that they should not replace traditional close reading but rather complement it. He advocates for a balanced approach that integrates digital methods while preserving the interpretative depth of humanistic inquiry.

2 Dependence on Funding and Technology

Another major challenge of digital humanities is its reliance on technological infrastructure and funding. Many digital projects require substantial financial investment, specialized software, and technical expertise, making them inaccessible to institutions with limited resources. Wealthy universities and research centers often dominate digital scholarship, while smaller institutions struggle to keep up due to financial constraints.

This dependence on funding also raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of digital projects. Unlike printed books and manuscripts, digital resources require continuous maintenance, updates, and technological support. If funding runs out or platforms become obsolete, valuable digital archives and research tools may be lost. Presner calls for increased efforts to secure long-term support for digital projects and to develop more cost-effective, sustainable solutions for digital humanities research.

3 Tensions Between Traditional Scholars and Digital Humanists

A significant point of contention within academia is the divide between traditional scholars and digital humanists. Some scholars view digital humanities as a departure from the core values of the humanities, arguing that it prioritizes technical proficiency over critical thinking and literary analysis. Others question whether digital projects should be considered as valid scholarly contributions, given that they often differ in format from traditional peer-reviewed articles and monographs.

Presner acknowledges these tensions but argues that digital humanities should not be seen as a replacement for traditional scholarship but rather as an expansion of its methods. He advocates for greater collaboration between traditional scholars and digital humanists, emphasizing that both approaches can coexist and enrich each other. Furthermore, he calls for academic institutions to recognize and reward digital scholarship, ensuring that it receives the same level of credibility and respect as conventional research.

Conclusion

Todd Presner’s argument highlights how digital humanities redefine research and education by expanding the scope of traditional humanities through interdisciplinary collaboration, participatory knowledge production, and the integration of digital tools. He emphasizes that digital humanities not only provide new methods for analyzing texts and historical data but also challenge established academic structures by promoting accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical considerations in knowledge production. While these advancements offer significant opportunities, Presner also cautions against the uncritical adoption of digital methodologies, urging scholars to remain mindful of issues such as digital exclusion, algorithmic bias, and the sustainability of digital archives.

Looking toward the future, the role of humanities in the digital era will likely continue evolving, incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies. However, the core values of humanities—critical thinking, ethical inquiry, and cultural understanding—must remain central to this transformation. The challenge lies in balancing technological innovation with the depth of humanistic inquiry, ensuring that digital humanities remain a tool for expanding knowledge rather than diminishing it. As the field continues to grow, scholars, educators, and institutions must work together to address the ethical and practical challenges that arise, fostering a more inclusive and responsible approach to humanities research in the digital age.

Word Count: 2564

References:

Presner, Todd. (2011). Comparative Literature in the Age of Digital Humanities: On Possible Futures for a Discipline. 10.1002/9781444342789.ch13. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286065451_Comparative_LiteratureReferences

206: The African Literature

 

The Paradox of Motherhood: Nnu Ego's Struggle for Identity and Autonomy in Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood

Name: Trupti Naik

Batch: M.A Sem 4 [2023-2025]

Enrollment Number : 5108230028

Roll number: 25 

E-mail Address: nayaktrupti188@gmail.com

Paper: 206 The African Literature

Submitted to:- S.B. Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Generated by Chatgpt

Abstract

This assignment explores the paradox of motherhood in Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, focusing on how societal expectations, patriarchal oppression, and economic struggles shape Nnu Ego’s identity and autonomy. The novel presents motherhood as both a source of fulfillment and a tool of subjugation, where women are valued primarily for their reproductive roles but receive little agency or recognition in return. By analyzing the intersections of gender, colonialism, and capitalism, this study highlights how Nnu Ego’s sacrifices reflect systemic barriers rather than personal failures. Through a feminist lens, the novel critiques the oppressive structures that confine women, revealing the harsh realities behind idealized notions of motherhood. This paper draws upon scholarly sources to examine how myths of motherhood, maternal sacrifice, and societal constraints impact women’s self-perception and autonomy in a patriarchal society.

Keywords

Motherhood, Feminism, Patriarchy, Gender Roles, Colonialism, Capitalism, Maternal Sacrifice, Identity, Autonomy, Igbo Society

Introduction

Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood presents a profound exploration of motherhood, identity, and autonomy within the confines of a patriarchal and colonial society. The novel follows Nnu Ego, a woman whose life is defined by the societal expectation that a woman’s worth is measured through her ability to bear and nurture children. However, rather than finding joy and fulfillment, she experiences relentless hardship and sacrifice, revealing the paradox of motherhood—where women are both revered and restricted by their maternal roles (Sasikumar 2019). While traditional Igbo society upholds motherhood as a sacred duty, it also limits women’s independence, forcing them into roles that leave little room for personal aspirations (Shanlax 2019).

Through Nnu Ego’s struggles, the novel critiques patriarchal structures that confine women, showing how economic hardship, colonial rule, and cultural expectations collectively contribute to female oppression. The intersection of these forces not only reinforces rigid gender roles but also denies women agency over their own lives (Yu 2010). Furthermore, the myths surrounding motherhood create an illusion of fulfillment while, in reality, many women, like Nnu Ego, are left emotionally and financially destitute. This assignment explores how The Joys of Motherhood exposes the complexities of motherhood, the sacrifices women make, and the systemic barriers that prevent them from achieving true autonomy.

1. Paradox of Motherhood

Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood presents a striking paradox in which motherhood is depicted as both a fulfilling and oppressive role for women. Nnu Ego, like many women in traditional African societies, is raised to believe that her purpose and success in life are tied to her ability to bear and raise children. From an early age, she is taught that her worth as a woman will be measured by her fertility and her ability to provide for her family. However, as she steps into the role of a mother, she realizes that the idealized version of motherhood does not align with reality. Instead of gaining stability and respect, she is faced with immense struggles—poverty, emotional distress, and a lack of autonomy.

Women in the novel attempt to assert their voices and claim agency, but they remain confined by societal expectations that limit their identities to that of self-sacrificing mothers (Yu 2010). Nnu Ego’s sacrifices are not only expected but demanded by society, reinforcing the notion that motherhood is a noble yet burdensome role. Although women are praised for their devotion to their children, they are also stripped of personal ambitions and desires (Sasikumar 2019). The novel ultimately exposes how motherhood, which is supposed to bring joy and security, instead becomes a source of suffering and erasure of selfhood for Nnu Ego.

Additionally, the novel highlights how economic hardship exacerbates the burdens of motherhood. While Nnu Ego is expected to devote her life to her children, she also struggles to provide for them financially, especially in a colonial society where traditional structures are breaking down. The clash between traditional expectations and modern economic realities leaves her in a vulnerable position, where she must constantly sacrifice without any assurance of security in return (Shanlax 2019). This paradox underscores the novel’s critique of a system that glorifies motherhood but offers little support to the women who bear its weight.

2. Duality of Motherhood

The novel also explores the duality of motherhood—how it is both revered and restrictive. In traditional African societies, a woman’s success is often determined by her ability to bear children, particularly sons. Motherhood is considered a woman’s greatest achievement, and Nnu Ego initially embraces this belief, seeing her children as a source of pride and fulfillment. However, as the demands of motherhood consume her life, she begins to realize that her role as a mother comes at a great personal cost. She sacrifices her happiness, health, and independence for the well-being of her children, only to find herself abandoned and unappreciated in her old age.

This contradiction is a key theme in the novel, as while motherhood is idealized, it also confines women to endless responsibilities that limit their freedom and self-expression (Sasikumar 2019). Similarly, Nnu Ego’s identity is overshadowed by her maternal duties, leaving little space for personal growth or fulfillment (Shanlax 2019). Her entire existence is centered around her children, yet she is left with nothing in return, revealing the harsh reality of maternal sacrifice. The novel ultimately critiques the idealization of motherhood, showing how it can be both a source of meaning and a means of control that confines women to roles of service and suffering.

Moreover, the novel challenges the romanticized image of maternal love by illustrating how the mother-child relationship is shaped by both love and obligation. Nnu Ego’s devotion to her children is unquestionable, yet she is often met with disappointment as her sacrifices go unrecognized. This unfulfilled expectation reflects a broader societal issue where women are conditioned to equate their worth with their ability to nurture, yet their struggles remain invisible (Yu 2010). The novel thus presents motherhood not as an inherently joyful experience, but as a role imposed on women, often leaving them in a state of disillusionment and regret.

3. Myths of Motherhood and Gender Expectations

Cultural constructs of motherhood often present it as an obligation rather than a choice, reinforcing rigid gender expectations that limit women’s autonomy. In The Joys of Motherhood, Nnu Ego’s struggles exemplify the myths surrounding motherhood, where a woman’s primary duty is to bear and nurture children, regardless of her personal desires or aspirations. From an early age, Nnu Ego is conditioned to believe that her worth is tied to her fertility, and her failure to conceive in her first marriage brings her immense shame. The societal construct of motherhood dictates that a woman can only find true fulfillment through childbearing, leaving little room for alternative identities or ambitions (Shanlax 2019).

These myths persist even when the realities of motherhood prove to be far from ideal. Nnu Ego’s life is marked by endless sacrifice, yet she gains neither happiness nor stability. Instead, she experiences suffering as she navigates poverty, marital struggles, and the overwhelming responsibility of raising children in a patriarchal and colonial society (Sasikumar 2019). Her experience challenges the glorified image of motherhood, showing that the cultural ideal is often disconnected from the lived experiences of women. By portraying the burdens Nnu Ego endures, the novel critiques the deeply ingrained gender expectations that define motherhood as a duty rather than a personal choice, thereby limiting women’s agency and autonomy.

4. Maternal Sacrifice and Self-Perception

Nnu Ego’s identity is shaped entirely by her role as a mother, overshadowing her personal aspirations and sense of self. Throughout the novel, she dedicates her life to her children, believing that her sacrifices will ultimately secure her happiness and honor in society. However, despite her unwavering devotion, she does not receive the societal recognition or personal fulfillment she had hoped for. Instead, she is left abandoned and disillusioned, realizing that her sacrifices were taken for granted (Yu 2010).

The novel illustrates how motherhood, rather than bringing fulfillment, erases Nnu Ego’s individuality. Her dreams and desires are cast aside as she prioritizes the needs of her children and husband, reflecting the broader societal expectation that women must be selfless caregivers. This self-sacrificing nature is not rewarded, as even her children, whom she has tirelessly supported, fail to acknowledge her struggles (Shanlax 2019). By the end of the novel, Nnu Ego’s death alone and unappreciated underscores the grim reality of maternal sacrifice—women are expected to give everything for their families, yet they remain invisible in the grand scheme of society. Through Nnu Ego’s fate, the novel critiques a system that glorifies maternal devotion while failing to acknowledge or support the women who bear its burdens.

5. Feminist Critique of Patriarchy

The Joys of Motherhood critiques the patriarchal structures that confine women to roles of subservience, illustrating how gender expectations, colonial influences, and economic struggles reinforce a system that limits female autonomy. Nnu Ego’s suffering is not merely an individual tragedy but a reflection of systemic oppression that affects many women in patriarchal societies. As a woman, she is expected to sacrifice everything for her children and husband, yet she receives little agency over her own life. Her worth is dictated by her ability to bear children, and once she fulfills this role, she is expected to endure hardship without complaint (Yu 2010).

The novel further highlights how patriarchy operates in conjunction with economic and colonial realities to trap women in cycles of dependence. Even as Nigeria undergoes changes due to colonial rule, the patriarchal mindset remains deeply ingrained, restricting women’s access to financial independence and self-determination. Nnu Ego's struggles expose how these structures prevent women from attaining true autonomy, ultimately reinforcing their status as secondary to men (Yu 2010). By focusing on Nnu Ego’s life, the novel critiques a society that glorifies motherhood while simultaneously denying women the rights and recognition they deserve.

6. Intersection of Colonialism, Capitalism, and Gender Oppression

The novel also explores how colonialism and capitalism intersect with traditional gender roles to deepen Nnu Ego’s struggles. As British colonial rule alters Nigeria’s economic landscape, women like Nnu Ego are caught between traditional expectations and new financial hardships. While Igbo society traditionally valued women’s roles within the family, colonial capitalism shifts economic power towards men, leaving women economically vulnerable. Nnu Ego must navigate a world where she is expected to be a self-sacrificing mother, yet she lacks the financial independence to secure a stable future for herself and her children (Yu 2010).

This dynamic highlights how patriarchal oppression is not solely rooted in tradition but is also exacerbated by external forces such as colonial rule and economic instability. Nnu Ego’s suffering stems from a combination of societal expectations and systemic barriers that leave women dependent on men, even as economic realities demand that they take on additional burdens. The novel ultimately exposes the intersection of colonial, capitalist, and patriarchal oppression, revealing how these forces collectively shape and limit women’s lives (Yu 2010). By examining these intersections, The Joys of Motherhood provides a powerful critique of how multiple systems of oppression work together to sustain gender inequality.

Conclusion

Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood presents a powerful critique of the paradox of motherhood, illustrating how women are simultaneously revered and oppressed within patriarchal and colonial structures. Nnu Ego’s life exemplifies the struggles faced by women who are expected to find purpose solely through childbearing, yet receive little personal fulfillment or societal recognition for their sacrifices. The novel exposes the myths of motherhood that force women into restrictive roles, where their identity is shaped by duty rather than choice (Sasikumar 2019).

Furthermore, the intersection of colonialism, capitalism, and gender oppression deepens Nnu Ego’s suffering, highlighting how economic dependence and societal expectations leave women with little control over their own destinies (Yu 2010). While motherhood is traditionally idealized, The Joys of Motherhood challenges these narratives by revealing the harsh realities women endure in both traditional and modern societies. Ultimately, the novel calls for a reexamination of gender roles and societal structures, advocating for a world where women’s autonomy is recognized beyond their maternal roles. Through Nnu Ego’s tragic yet revealing journey, Emecheta presents a compelling feminist critique of the systemic forces that limit women’s independence and self-worth.

Word Count: 2032

Image: 1

References: 

Emecheta, Buchi. The Joys of Motherhood. Heinemann, 1979.

Sasikumar, P. "The Paradox of Motherhood in Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood." Language in India, vol. 19, no. 6, June 2019, pp. 19-28. http://www.languageinindia.com/june2019/sasikumarjoysofmotherhoodfinal1.pdf Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Yu, Hope S. "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. 274-289. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/41762433. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

"Myths of Motherhood and Power: The Construction of 'Black Woman' in Literature." JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/24350026. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Nirmala, A & Prisca, J. (2024). Mother’s Intricacy in Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities. 11. 11-13. 10.34293/sijash.v11iS5.7642. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384337796_Mother's_Intricacy_in_Buchi_Emecheta's_The_Joys_of_Motherhood 

"A Feminist Study of Buchi Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood." UNNES International Conference on English Language Teaching, Literature, and Translation,https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/LC/article/viewFile/36803/13504Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.