BREAKING FREE: FEMALE EMPOWERMENT AND STRUGGLE AGAINST PATRIARCHY IN BUCHI EMECHETA'S HEAD ABOVE WATER AND SECOND CLASS CITIZEN

Abstract

This work explores the feminist perspective in Buchi Emechea’s Head above Waters (HAW) and Second Class Citizen (SCC), two inspiring works that offer deep understandings of the struggles and resilience of African women. Second Class Citizen (SCC), a semi-autobiographical novel, follows the journey of Adah, a young Nigerian woman who battles systemic sexism and racism as she pursues her dreams in Britain. Through Adah’s experiences, Emecheta highlights the intersectionality of gender and race, illustrating how societal structures oppress women of colour. In Head above Water, Emecheta’s autobiography, she recounts her life story, providing a raw and intimate portrayal of her challenges as a single mother, writer, and immigrant. Both works emphasize the themes of self-determination, resilience, and the quest for identity and equality. Emecheta’s narrative style combines personal anecdotes with broader social critique, making her work a powerful vehicle for feminist discourse. Through her depiction of strong female protagonists who defy patriarchal norms, Emecheta advocates for the empowerment of women and the recognition of their agency in shaping their destinies. These texts contribute significantly to feminist literature by highlighting the unique struggles of African women and their indomitable spirit in overcoming adversity.