Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
27TH METU BRITISH NOVELISTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: “BUCHI EMECHETA AND HER WORK”, Ankara, Türkiye, 5 - 06 Aralık 2024, ss.4, (Özet Bildiri)
The aim of this paper is to explore the multifaceted representation of urban space and its influence on female subjectivity in Buchi Emecheta’s Second-Class Citizen. In this semi-autobiographical novel which is published in 1974, Emecheta chronicles the life of Adah Ofili, a young Nigerian woman, as she navigates the challenges of immigration, racism, and sexism in London during the 1960s. Adah moves to London with her two young children, expecting to find a better life. Upon her arrival in London, Adah’s romanticized perception of England swiftly disintegrates. On the other hand, her husband Francis, instead of representing the supportive partner she had anticipated, becomes abusive and oppressive. He underminesher ambitions and compels her to adhere to conventional gender roles. Despite this, Adah remains resolute, seeking ways to improve her situation. Therefore, this paper argues how the urban environment of London shapes the identity formation of the protagonist, Adah, and functions as a site of resistance against racial and gender oppression. Through a close reading of spatial literary theory and an analysis of the socio-cultural context of Nigerian immigrants in 1960s London, this study examines Adah’s interactions with various urban settings, such as her home, workplace, and public spaces. These interactions reveal the complex ways in which the city’s social, cultural, and physical landscapes influence her experiences and perceptions as a female immigrant. The paper highlights specific urban locations, including libraries, schools, and community centres, as crucial spaces for Adah’s personal development and empowerment. Also, it investigates how Adah navigates and resists the intersecting oppressions of race and gender within the urban context, asserting her independence and agency. This examination not only illuminates Emecheta’s intricate depiction of urban space but also enriches broader conversations regarding gender, identity, and resistance within post- colonial literature.
Keywords: Urban Space, Female Subjectivity, Immigration, Postcolonial Literature, Social Stratification