Second Class Citizen is a seminal novel written by the Nigerian author Buchi Emecheta. First published in 1974, the book is a powerful and poignant exploration of gender, identity, and the immigrant experience. Emecheta, one of the most prominent African writers of the 20th century, often dealt with themes of women’s struggles in traditional societies, gender roles, and the complexities of African identity in the diaspora. Second Class Citizen is one of her early works and provides a critical examination of the difficulties faced by African women, particularly those living in Britain.
The novel is semi-autobiographical, drawing on Emecheta’s own experiences as a young Nigerian woman living in the UK in the 1960s. Through the lens of the protagonist, Adah, the novel addresses issues such as racial discrimination, the struggle for self-identity, and the challenges of navigating two contrasting cultures. Adah’s journey through oppression, both in Nigeria and later in England, paints a vivid picture of the immigrant’s fight for survival, dignity, and a sense of belonging.
Summary of the Book
Second Class Citizen follows the life of Adah, a young Nigerian woman who moves to London with her husband, Francis, in search of a better life. The novel spans several years, chronicling Adah’s growth and her fight for self-realization amidst the harsh realities of life in a foreign country.
Adah’s story begins in Nigeria, where she is raised by a traditional father who values male children over female ones. Despite the patriarchal constraints of her society, Adah is determined to pursue an education and escape the limited roles available to women. She eventually marries Francis, who promises her a better life in England.
Upon arriving in London, Adah faces a series of challenges. Not only does she contend with the cold and unwelcoming environment, but she also encounters the racial prejudice and gender discrimination that comes with being an African woman in a predominantly white society. Her husband, Francis, turns out to be unsupportive and abusive, adding to the complexity of Adah’s struggles. He discourages her from pursuing her dreams, and their marriage becomes a source of further anguish.
As the years pass, Adah’s determination to create a better life for herself and her children grows stronger. She eventually leaves Francis and begins to forge her own path, defying the societal and cultural expectations placed upon her as a woman and an immigrant. Throughout the novel, Adah’s resilience and strength are central themes, as she fights against the constraints of both her marriage and her status as a second-class citizen in a foreign land.
Key Plot Details
- Adah’s Early Life in Nigeria: The novel begins by focusing on Adah’s upbringing in Nigeria. Born into a patriarchal family, she faces the challenge of being a girl in a society that values boys more than girls. Despite this, Adah is determined to pursue an education, a rarity for many girls in her community.
- Marriage and Immigration to England: Adah’s life takes a pivotal turn when she marries Francis, a man who promises her a better life in England. She follows him to London, hoping for a fresh start, but soon discovers that the reality of life in the UK is far from the ideal she had imagined.
- Life in London and the Struggles with Francis: Upon arriving in England, Adah faces cultural isolation, racial prejudice, and financial struggles. She is unable to find meaningful work and is constantly belittled by her husband, Francis, who criticizes her for not being able to adapt quickly enough to British life. His mistreatment of her escalates, and their marriage becomes a source of deep frustration for Adah.
- Adah’s Resilience and Self-Discovery: As Adah grapples with the complexities of life in a foreign land, she begins to realize the importance of her own independence. She works hard to provide for herself and her children, eventually leaving Francis and finding her own path to personal growth and self-discovery.
- Adah’s Empowerment: In the end, Adah’s journey is one of empowerment. She learns to navigate the challenges of both racism and sexism, ultimately finding a sense of pride in her identity. Her journey from a second-class citizen to a self-sufficient, empowered woman is the central arc of the novel.
Settings of the Book
The novel is set in two primary locations: Nigeria and London. In Nigeria, the story begins in a small village, where Adah is raised under traditional norms that limit her opportunities. The setting reflects the constraints placed on women in many African societies, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. The second major setting is London, where Adah moves with her husband in pursuit of a better life. In London, the stark contrast between the expectations of British society and the reality of being a black immigrant woman forms the backdrop of Adah’s struggles.
Class Activities for Second Class Citizen
- Character Development Discussion: Ask students to track the development of Adah’s character throughout the novel. Have them write a detailed analysis of how Adah evolves from a young woman constrained by traditional gender roles to an independent and empowered individual.
- Debate on Gender and Immigration: Have students debate the challenges faced by immigrant women in modern society, comparing Adah’s experiences with those of immigrant women today. How do Adah’s experiences in 1960s London differ from or mirror the experiences of immigrant women in contemporary societies?
- Role-Playing Exercise: In groups, have students role-play key scenes from the novel, focusing on the dynamics of Adah’s marriage with Francis. This will allow students to explore the power dynamics in relationships and how Adah’s character changes in response to her husband’s behavior.
- Cultural Comparison: Ask students to research the cultural expectations of women in Nigeria during the time period of the novel and compare them with the societal views on women in Britain during the 1960s. How do these cultural differences impact Adah’s experience?
- Creative Writing – Adah’s Voice: Have students write a letter from Adah to her younger self, reflecting on her journey and the lessons she has learned throughout the course of the novel. This creative exercise will encourage students to think deeply about Adah’s emotional and psychological growth.
Class Assignments for Second Class Citizen
- Essay on Gender and Identity: Write an essay analyzing how gender roles and expectations shape Adah’s journey in the novel. How does her struggle with these roles contribute to her eventual empowerment?
- Comparative Essay: Compare Second Class Citizen with another work of literature that deals with themes of immigration and cultural identity. How do the characters in both works navigate their new environments and what challenges do they face?
- The Role of Racism: In an essay, discuss how racism impacts Adah’s life in London. How does it affect her relationships, sense of self-worth, and aspirations?
- Adah’s Relationship with Francis: Write a paper analyzing the dynamics of Adah’s relationship with her husband, Francis. How does his treatment of her affect her sense of identity, and how does it shape the plot of the novel?
Personal Reflection: Have students write a personal reflection on the themes of Second Class Citizen. How do the issues of gender, immigration, and identity resonate with their own experiences or the world around them?
Poem Inspired by Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta
In a land where voices fade,
She stands, though all is made to trade.
A second class, yet she does rise,
With dreams unseen by others’ eyes.
Her heart, though bruised, still beats for more,
Not bound by chains, nor tradition’s lore.
In London’s cold, her spirit burns,
For the life she lost, she now returns.
Adah, with courage, faces the fight,
Breaking the darkness, seeking light.
In the shadow of doubt, she dares to dream,
Chasing freedom, or so it seems.
The walls are high, the road is long,
But in her heart, there is a song.
A song of strength, a song of grace,
For a second-class citizen finds her place.
Through hardship, pain, and endless strife,
She builds a future, reclaims her life.
Adah, the one who refused to fall,
Is not second class at all.
Conclusion
Second Class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta is a powerful exploration of the struggles of African women in both traditional and Western societies. Through the character of Adah, the novel highlights the complexity of navigating multiple identities—cultural, gendered, and personal—in a world that often marginalizes individuals based on race and gender. Adah’s journey is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and empowerment, offering a voice to those often silenced in discussions of race, gender, and immigration.