Background
Florence Nwanzuruahu Nkiru Nwapa (1931-1993), popularly known as Flora Nwapa, was born and was brought up at Oguta in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria on January 13, 1931. She was educated at Archdeacon Crowther’s Memorial Girls’ School, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, University College Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria and Edinburgh University. When she returned to Nigeria, Nwapa was appointed a Women Education Officer in Calabar, Cross River State, South-south Nigeria and then she went to Queen’s School, Enugu in Southeast Nigeria to teach English and Geography. She was Assistant Registrar (Public Relations) at the University of Lagos until she returned to the then East Central State during the break out of the Nigerian civil war in 1967. At the end of the war, she was appointed a member of the East Central State Executive Council and was for a time Commissioner for Lands, Survey & Urban Development.
Florence Nwanzuruahu Nkiru Nwapa (1931-1993), popularly known as Flora Nwapa, was born and was brought up at Oguta in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria on January 13, 1931. She was educated at Archdeacon Crowther’s Memorial Girls’ School, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, University College Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria and Edinburgh University. When she returned to Nigeria, Nwapa was appointed a Women Education Officer in Calabar, Cross River State, South-south Nigeria and then she went to Queen’s School, Enugu in Southeast Nigeria to teach English and Geography. She was Assistant Registrar (Public Relations) at the University of Lagos until she returned to the then East Central State during the break out of the Nigerian civil war in 1967. At the end of the war, she was appointed a member of the East Central State Executive Council and was for a time Commissioner for Lands, Survey & Urban Development.
Before her death on October 16, 1993, Nwapa said in an interview that she used Efuru to explore how women are treated in the society. Having studied abroad and served in government and educational sector in Nigeria at different times and towns, there is no doubt that Nwapa had mingled enough with the society to perceive the way women are treated.
Apart from Efuru (1966), she had written other novels such as Idu (1970), Never Again (1975), One is Enough (1981) and Women are Different (1986). Her Short stories/poems include This is Lagos and Other Stories (1971), Cassava Song and Rice Song (1986) and Wives at War and Other Stories (1980). Her Children’s books include Emeka, Driver’s Guard (1972), Mammywater (1979), Journey to Space (1980), The Miracle Kittens (1980) and The Adventures of Deke (1980). Nwapa is remembered as the first African woman to write a novel.
Plot Summary
Efuru, a young woman in her early twenties falls in love with Adizua who is too poor to pay her bride price. Because of the love she has for him, she elopes with Adizua. Efuru’s father becomes mad and sends some hefty and intelligent men to go to Adizua’s house to fetch Efuru. On getting there, they discover that Efuru would be happier cohabiting with her new found love and the delegation goes back to convince Efuru’s father to let her be.
Efuru, a young woman in her early twenties falls in love with Adizua who is too poor to pay her bride price. Because of the love she has for him, she elopes with Adizua. Efuru’s father becomes mad and sends some hefty and intelligent men to go to Adizua’s house to fetch Efuru. On getting there, they discover that Efuru would be happier cohabiting with her new found love and the delegation goes back to convince Efuru’s father to let her be.
In the beginning of her first marriage, she has a very beautiful and happy marriage blessed with a child but suddenly, the husband begins to keep her at arm’s length. Efuru makes consistent efforts to get along with her husband but to no avail. Not quite long, Adizua elopes with another woman and this marks the beginning of Efuru’s travails.
While her husband is still away, her only child takes ill and dies. Efuru buries the child without her husband at the funeral. In order to save her face from shame and humiliation, she leaves for her father’s house and later remarries another man called Gilbert Eneberi who treats her not better than Adizua. Unable to give her new husband a child, Efuru marries another woman for him after he has already taken one for himself but this does not make him treat her any better. At last, Gilbert leaves her in the same manner Adizua did without attending Efuru’s father’s funeral. When Gilbert finally reappears, he accuses his wife who is now sick of adultery.
Fortunately, Ajanupu, the sister of Adizua’s mother, takes Efuru to a hospital where she is treated and cured of her illness. When she comes back from the hospital, she leaves once again to her father’s house and devotes her time serving the lake goddess, Uhamiri, who is like a mirror of herself. “Uhamiri gives her worshipers wealth and beauty but few children.”
Characters
Adizua: He is Efuru’s first husband. He is a poor farmer who is considered by his peers as imbecile. Like his wife, Efuru, Adizua had lost his father at early age and was brought up by his mother. Although he lost his father at a tender age, Adizua has not lost his father’s truancy. Perhaps his peers are right in calling him a fool. His foolishness and irresponsibility become apparent when he leaves his wife and absconds with another woman never to return not even at the death of their only daughter.
Adizua: He is Efuru’s first husband. He is a poor farmer who is considered by his peers as imbecile. Like his wife, Efuru, Adizua had lost his father at early age and was brought up by his mother. Although he lost his father at a tender age, Adizua has not lost his father’s truancy. Perhaps his peers are right in calling him a fool. His foolishness and irresponsibility become apparent when he leaves his wife and absconds with another woman never to return not even at the death of their only daughter.
Ajanupu: She is the older sister of Efuru’s mother-in-law. A mother of eight children, she is very good to her sister and always at her beck and call whenever she needs her help. As an experienced old woman, she is sensitive and observant. Little wonder that she is the first to notice Efuru’s pregnancy. She is no doubt well vested in the traditions of her people as she occasionally tells the young woman the dos and the don’ts of their tradition. Although she talks too much, she is a good woman. She teaches Efuru a lot about life, her society and relationships. She is no doubt Efuru’s good friend.
Amede: She is Gilbert’s mother and Efuru’s new mother-in-law. Like Efuru’s former mother-in-law, she is not a talking type but a quiet and reserved thoughtful woman although not much is heard from her in the novel.
Dr. Uzaru: A medical doctor from Onitsha, Uzaru is sympathetic and has a soft spot for Efuru. His likeness for Efuru becomes obvious when he buys an expensive piece of cloth for her. He also enquires of her personal life and welfare and listens passionately to her conversation. There is no doubt that Uzaru is what Efuru’s both husbands are not.
Efuru: She is a young remarkable woman from a distinguished family who seems to have bad luck with men. She is the central character in the novel. She lost her mother while she was still very young. Although she comes from a noble family, she chooses a humble life and this complements her beauty. Her mother-in-law is fond of her. She is no doubt a good and thoughtful wife who would do nothing to hurt her husband. Although she does not have formal education, she is just as intelligent as many educated folks. Efuru is an industrious young woman who has experiences of unhappy marriages. But she does not see these unhappy marriages as the end of her life. She is a very successful business woman. In her character, she shows us that in life we do not always get what we want but there are always options. Her message is that we should not allow other people to rule or ruin our lives. She works hard to develop her environment. Since she knows that any good relationship has to do with faithfulness and mutual respect, she tries her best to show same to her husbands who incidentally do not reciprocate her. Efuru can be said to be more sinned against than sinning. Although she loves both men, she is intelligent enough not to let them trample on her right.
Gilbert (Eneberi): He is Efuru’s second husband and Efuru’s childhood friend and a member of her age-group. He is in love with Efuru having overcome his apathy for women following his first relationship which ended in failure. There is no doubt that he is not more responsible than Efuru’s former husband. Gilbert is gruff and intolerant. He does not trust his wife and for this reason, he accuses her of committing adultery.
Nkoyeni: She is Efuru’s rival wife. Since women’s education is not as valued as that of the men, she has to leave school and get married at the age of nineteen. Unlike Efuru, she is not so free with people. Perhaps her childish character could be attributed to her age. She is much younger than her husband. When Gilbert used to call her his wife when she was quite young, little wonder did she know that one day it will come true.
Nwabata: She is Ogea’s mother. A mother of six, she is hardworking and very helpful to her husband. She is an illiterate farmer whose only sustenance is on her farm produce. Because of her ignorance, she weeps when she learns that her husband is going to be operated upon. She believes that her husband is going to be killed before the operation is conducted. Although she could be nagging sometimes, she respects her husband and loves him, especially when they first married. Because of her love for her husband then, she didn’t take it kindly with his brother who opposed her marriage to Nwosu. Each time her brother beat her husband and tore his clothes, she made sure that she bought another one for him. Like Efuru who becomes a victim of one-sided love, Nwabata no doubt loves her husband more than he loves her. It is her genuine love for him that made her marry him in the first place and continue to endure hardship.
Nwashike Ogene: He is Efuru’s father. Although he is described as courageous and a mighty man in valour; he is lenient with her daughter, Efuru. His leniency is attributed to two reasons—he is no younger and he could be afraid of disturbing the peace of the colonial masters. As tradition demands, he inherited his father’s numerous wives among whom Efuru’s mother was his favourite.
Nwosu: He is Ogea’s father. Like his wife, he is illiterate and his only means of livelihood is the farm. He is a very hard working farmer. Because of overwork, he develops appendicitis which threatens his life. Because of his acute poverty, he has to pawn one of his children. Apart from being poor and sometimes finds it difficult to feed his family, Nwosu is no doubt a good husband. Unlike many men who beat their wives, he has never laid hand on his wife even when such an action would have been justified in their community.
Ogea: She is the maid of Efuru. Although she was rough and raw when she first came to stay with Efuru, she soon learns and integrates fully into her new home. She is not only docile but also intelligent and sympathetic. These both virtues are revealed when Efuru’s only daughter Ogonim dies. She is fond of her mistress and calls her mother.
Omirima: She is Efuru’s new mother-in-law’s friend who advises Gilbert’s mother to marry another wife who will bear children for him since Efuru is now worshiping the lake goddess which forbids her to get children. She is no doubt a gossip but a custodian of the tradition—she wants Gilbert to get another wife for the sake of procreation.
Ossai: She is Efuru’s mother-in-law. She is a very resolute woman having refused to marry another man since the death of her husband who had jilted her many times before his death. Unlike her sister, Ajanupu, she is quite reserved. Her taciturn character is perhaps due to her sorrowful life.
Themes
(Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.)
(Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.)
Enterprising Nature of Women
It seems that the authoress deliberately uses Efuru to debunk the assumption that women are less enterprising compared with men. Throughout the novel and despite Efuru’s ordeals, she is portrayed as not only enterprising but also generous in sharing the profits of her business with those around her. Because of her astute enterprising nature, she is able to raise money within a short time to help her renegade husband pay her bride price. After that, she continues to build her business empire which later employs her husband and makes him leave his farming business which is nothing to write home about.
It seems that the authoress deliberately uses Efuru to debunk the assumption that women are less enterprising compared with men. Throughout the novel and despite Efuru’s ordeals, she is portrayed as not only enterprising but also generous in sharing the profits of her business with those around her. Because of her astute enterprising nature, she is able to raise money within a short time to help her renegade husband pay her bride price. After that, she continues to build her business empire which later employs her husband and makes him leave his farming business which is nothing to write home about.
Importance of Children in a Marriage
In African society, a child plays a central role in any marriage. In other words, the success or failure of any marriage is often measured by the number of children, especially male children such marriage is blessed with. This is the major reason Efuru is worried and devastated when it seems a child is not coming. She knows that the only thing that can make her have a say in the family is a child. In her second marriage with Eneberi, she has to marry a younger woman who will bear him a child since she knows that she may not have one herself. Someone who is not conversant with African traditional cultures may be quick to ask if children are all there is in marriage. Arguably, marriage is not only for procreation but also for mutual love, intimacy and help.
In African society, a child plays a central role in any marriage. In other words, the success or failure of any marriage is often measured by the number of children, especially male children such marriage is blessed with. This is the major reason Efuru is worried and devastated when it seems a child is not coming. She knows that the only thing that can make her have a say in the family is a child. In her second marriage with Eneberi, she has to marry a younger woman who will bear him a child since she knows that she may not have one herself. Someone who is not conversant with African traditional cultures may be quick to ask if children are all there is in marriage. Arguably, marriage is not only for procreation but also for mutual love, intimacy and help.
Poverty
Arguably, one of the recurring themes in African literature is poverty and I am not surprised that it is also a theme in Efuru. Although poverty can be perceived in every part of the novel, a typical example is found in Nwosu’s family. Arguably, as we see in Efuru, individuals also, to some extent, contribute to their poverty in many African societies. For example, like Nwosu, many low income earners in the continent, in their wanton desire for social mobility, will get a loan or use their hard-earned little income to throw a party, buy a chieftaincy title or take another wife rather than invest such money for multiplication and profit. This is, in my opinion, the root cause of acute poverty which has become a descriptive term for the continent.
Arguably, one of the recurring themes in African literature is poverty and I am not surprised that it is also a theme in Efuru. Although poverty can be perceived in every part of the novel, a typical example is found in Nwosu’s family. Arguably, as we see in Efuru, individuals also, to some extent, contribute to their poverty in many African societies. For example, like Nwosu, many low income earners in the continent, in their wanton desire for social mobility, will get a loan or use their hard-earned little income to throw a party, buy a chieftaincy title or take another wife rather than invest such money for multiplication and profit. This is, in my opinion, the root cause of acute poverty which has become a descriptive term for the continent.
Subjugation of Women in a Polygamous Marriage
Efuru is an x-ray of a polygamous marriage in the society. Although women are not always bestowed with the freedom to leave their husbands even when they are unfaithful, Efuru is given the freedom to leave her unfaithful husbands. This is what makes her an independent woman different from her folks. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is women that suffer more in polygamous marriages wherever they are practised. However, Nwapa is trying to say that women don’t have to endure such marital maltreatment—they can walk away as Efuru does.
Efuru is an x-ray of a polygamous marriage in the society. Although women are not always bestowed with the freedom to leave their husbands even when they are unfaithful, Efuru is given the freedom to leave her unfaithful husbands. This is what makes her an independent woman different from her folks. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is women that suffer more in polygamous marriages wherever they are practised. However, Nwapa is trying to say that women don’t have to endure such marital maltreatment—they can walk away as Efuru does.
Motifs
(Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.)
Sacrifice: Overtly or covertly, sacrifice is the thread that weaves Efuru as a novel. Before one receives a solution to one’s problem(s) some sacrifice must be performed. For example, Efuru has to perform some sacrifice before she could have a baby. Again, When Efuru learns about the sickness of her former mother-in-law, she visits her and helps her to feel better. With the company of Ajanupu, she consults a dibia who prescribes a sacrifice for the sick woman to perform and immediately she does that, she becomes well. Apart from these two instances of physical acts of sacrifice, Efuru is seen sacrificing all she has to make her two marriages work and when they fail to work, she has to sacrifice her life to serve the Uhamiri, the Goddess of the Great Lake.There is no doubt that sacrifice plays a very important role in the life of people. As they say, “nothing goes for nothing”. One has to give what one has in order to receive what one does not have. Even Jesus Christ made allusion to this fact when He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (KJV, John 12:24).
Symbols
(Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colours used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.)
Efuru: Although Efuru may not qualify for a religious literature, the personality of Efuru, the eponymous character in the novel, reminds me of Jesus of Nazareth in the Bible. Like Jesus, Efuru continues to love the unloved and cares for people despite their depravity. She is a template of an ideal personality. She loves people even they don’t deserve to be loved and cares for them even when they have betrayed her. A few examples are how she loves her rival wife who has become a thorn in her flesh and how she promises Nwosu another loan even when he has not repaid the one he collected.
Adizua and Gilbert: While Efuru is cast as a saint, Adizua and Gilbert are cast as a villain. In other words, Adizua and Gilbert are a symbol of a renegade and depraved humanity who would rather pay evil for good. No matter what Efuru does to make these men happy, they only think of how to make her sad. They don’t reciprocate the kind gesture of this innocent woman. However, just like Christ, Efuru still loves them all the same.
Uhamiri: Apart from being a sea goddess, Uhamiri is a symbol of hope, freedom, aspiration and regeneration for many women, especially those like Efuru on whom life has dealt a blow. She seems to tell women that children are not the only source and should not be the only cause of their happiness. After all, they can live a happy life without children. This is the reason why she does not give her worshippers children as they wish. According to Nwapa, she gives them what she has—”her beauty, her long hair and her riches.”Again, Uhamiri can be said to be a symbol of religion which has given the deprived in the society hope.
Summary and Analysis of Sections
Chapter One
Efuru meets a young man, Adizua who proposes marriage to her but has no money for her bride price. After both parties have proclaimed their love for each other, they begin to live together without the payment of the customary bride price and the paraphernalia of traditional marriage celebration. On hearing that Efuru has eloped to live with her lover, her father sends some young men to go and bring her back. But after the young men have seen that Efuru is happy living with her lover, they decide to plead with her to convince her man to fulfil his traditional marriage obligations. Efuru promises them that her bride price will surely be paid soonest. After her father has tried his best to bring her back but to no avail, he gives up and considers her lost.
Efuru meets a young man, Adizua who proposes marriage to her but has no money for her bride price. After both parties have proclaimed their love for each other, they begin to live together without the payment of the customary bride price and the paraphernalia of traditional marriage celebration. On hearing that Efuru has eloped to live with her lover, her father sends some young men to go and bring her back. But after the young men have seen that Efuru is happy living with her lover, they decide to plead with her to convince her man to fulfil his traditional marriage obligations. Efuru promises them that her bride price will surely be paid soonest. After her father has tried his best to bring her back but to no avail, he gives up and considers her lost.
Meanwhile, Efuru tells her husband that she wants to trade rather than farming and the young man acquiesces to her decision. So she remains in town to trade while her husband shuttles from farm to town frequently to see her. Not quite long, Efuru is circumcised without the consent of her father. Her mother-in-law wants her to feast for at least two months after her circumcision but Efuru insists that she must start her trade as soon as possible. So, after a month she celebrates her integration into womanhood by going to the market to show herself.
This chapter addresses two fundamental issues which have become commonplace in many African societies. (a) Women sponsor their marriages and support their matrimonial families, (b) female circumcision. In those days when I grew up as a little boy, I often heard that in some cultures in India women go out to marry men. Just like many of my peers, I saw this as appalling and degrading culture. However, the fact is that although this Indian culture is not popular here in Africa, there is a subtle variation of it in the case of a woman having to give her prospective husband some money for her bride price because he is either too poor or too reluctant. Like Efuru, after they have sponsored their bride price, most women would necessarily have to work hard to support their matrimonial home. Again, in order to curb their “sexual excesses”, they must also undergo the dehumanising female genital mutilation that the patriarchal society termed as “female circumcision”. What a double tragedy!
Chapter Two
Adizua becomes more and more engrossed with the thought of his wife that he becomes lazy and decides to leave the farm to stay with his wife in town. He begins to trade in yams, fish and crayfish with his wife. After they have made enough money, Efuru suggests that her husband should go to her father to pay her bride price. Two years after her marriage, Efuru becomes apprehensive that she hasn’t conceived a child, so she decides to confide her fears in her father who advises her to see a dibia (a native doctor). The dibia tells her to perform a weekly sacrifice and that the following year she will have a baby. Barely a year after her visit to the dibia, Efuru becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby girl. A week after Efuru has had her baby, she and her husband pay a visit to the dibia who dies in his sleep a few days after their visit.
Adizua becomes more and more engrossed with the thought of his wife that he becomes lazy and decides to leave the farm to stay with his wife in town. He begins to trade in yams, fish and crayfish with his wife. After they have made enough money, Efuru suggests that her husband should go to her father to pay her bride price. Two years after her marriage, Efuru becomes apprehensive that she hasn’t conceived a child, so she decides to confide her fears in her father who advises her to see a dibia (a native doctor). The dibia tells her to perform a weekly sacrifice and that the following year she will have a baby. Barely a year after her visit to the dibia, Efuru becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby girl. A week after Efuru has had her baby, she and her husband pay a visit to the dibia who dies in his sleep a few days after their visit.
This chapter reveals the jealous disposition of Adizua. Although he does not have enough money to cater for Efuru’s need, Adizua is so jealous that he will not want to leave his wife to live alone in town. Although one may quick to describe his attitude as love, I only see him as a jealous husband who would want to monitor his wife by all means. Many men are like this.
Again, Nwapa, in this chapter portrays the role played by traditional witch doctors or native doctors, as they are popularly known, in helping and shaping the destinies of people in traditional African society. Although many religious people will argue that it is God that gives people babies, many, especially those who believe in tradition, would rather emphasize the role of native doctors in making such quest a reality.
Chapter Three
As their baby continues to grow, their business continues to diminish. So, Efuru advises that they should get a maid who will look after their baby while she joins her husband to trade. Her husband consents to her decision and they bring in Ogea, a ten-year-old girl to attend to Ogonim, their daughter. As their business continues to crumble, Efuru has to consult her mother-in-law’s sister to use her shrewdness to help her collect her debts.
As their baby continues to grow, their business continues to diminish. So, Efuru advises that they should get a maid who will look after their baby while she joins her husband to trade. Her husband consents to her decision and they bring in Ogea, a ten-year-old girl to attend to Ogonim, their daughter. As their business continues to crumble, Efuru has to consult her mother-in-law’s sister to use her shrewdness to help her collect her debts.
As they say, one cannot carry something in one’s hands and expects to climb a ladder successfully. Before Efuru and her husband had a baby, their business was booming, but now that she has a baby, her attention is given more to her baby than her business. As a wise woman, Efuru knows that for her business to spring back, she has to get a nanny who will take care of their baby and fortunately for her, her husband does not frown at her decision.
Chapter Four
Adizua is no now avoiding his wife like a plague even as he keeps late nights. Efuru is confused as she does not know what she has done to offend her husband. She confides in her mother-in-law who advises her to keep cool that all will be well. As days go by, Adizua’s indifference to his wife begins to grow. Not quite long, it becomes obvious that Adizua has eloped with another woman of easy virtue. This pricks Efuru’s heart immensely. Her mother-in-law’s sister who breaks this sad news to her advises her to keep cool that her husband will soon get tired of the strange woman and will come back to her. After she has learnt from her mother-in-law that her husband’s truancy is hereditary, Efuru pledges to leave him immediately he comes back. While Efuru is still rehearsing her plan to confront her renegade husband, Ogonim, her only child and source of hope dies after a few bouts of convulsive attacks.
Adizua is no now avoiding his wife like a plague even as he keeps late nights. Efuru is confused as she does not know what she has done to offend her husband. She confides in her mother-in-law who advises her to keep cool that all will be well. As days go by, Adizua’s indifference to his wife begins to grow. Not quite long, it becomes obvious that Adizua has eloped with another woman of easy virtue. This pricks Efuru’s heart immensely. Her mother-in-law’s sister who breaks this sad news to her advises her to keep cool that her husband will soon get tired of the strange woman and will come back to her. After she has learnt from her mother-in-law that her husband’s truancy is hereditary, Efuru pledges to leave him immediately he comes back. While Efuru is still rehearsing her plan to confront her renegade husband, Ogonim, her only child and source of hope dies after a few bouts of convulsive attacks.
Admittedly, no woman in Efuru’s situation will be happy—no husband, no child. Whether Adizua’s despicable act can be excused scientifically, the fact is that he has betrayed a woman who has invested her life and her resources to make him who he is now. However, I may not be in a position to judge him because I do know, as William Shakespeare said, that the evil that [people] do live after them. Even Efuru herself is a wife of elopement and she should have seen the possibility of her renegade husband re-enacting same with another woman since he did not love her in the first place.
One of the greatest mistakes that women often make is to force their way into a marriage. This is wrong because a marriage needs the love of the husband to be nurtured but not the other way round. It doesn’t cost a man anything to propose marriage to a woman but a woman should not mistake such impulsive proposal for love. This is the mistake that Efuru made in the beginning of her relationship with Adizua when she eloped to live with him.
Arguably, no man respects a woman in common law marriage or cohabitation. Although most men in such relationship would feign love and respect for their partner, they only do so for what they will gain. I want to say again that it is a man’s love that sustains a marriage not the woman’s. A woman’s love can only make her endure her marriage. This is why Mariama Ba advises that a woman should not marry a man she loves but a man that loves her. Even in the Holy Bible, God commands husbands to love their wives but not wives to love their husbands but to respect them.
Chapter Five
After a brief lying in state for Efuru’s dead child, her little lifeless body is washed and placed in a wooden coffin and buried beyond the shore. After the burial, Efuru’s age-grade takes her to the stream for a ritual cleansing. Six months after the death of her baby, Ajanupu, her mother-in-law’s sister advises her to wait for her runaway husband for a year and if he doesn’t come back to her, she should leave him to marry another man of her choice. This seems to relieve Efuru a bit although she occasionally feels sad, especially when she remembers her plight.
After a brief lying in state for Efuru’s dead child, her little lifeless body is washed and placed in a wooden coffin and buried beyond the shore. After the burial, Efuru’s age-grade takes her to the stream for a ritual cleansing. Six months after the death of her baby, Ajanupu, her mother-in-law’s sister advises her to wait for her runaway husband for a year and if he doesn’t come back to her, she should leave him to marry another man of her choice. This seems to relieve Efuru a bit although she occasionally feels sad, especially when she remembers her plight.
This is a double tragedy for Efuru. While she is trying to grapple with the absence of a husband for whom she has sacrificed so much, her only child becomes sick and dies suddenly. For most women who don’t seem to enjoy their marriages, the only source of their consolation is their children, if any. This is why one can really feel for Efuru who has now become a bitter woman.
Chapter Six
One week after Efuru has returned from her futile trip to look for her husband, she packs her things and leaves for her father’s house. Nobody dares to challenge her decision because it has become obvious that her renegade husband will never return. Everyone that comes to greet and console her encourages her that she will soon remarry. Despite her predicament, Efuru still has a heart for sympathy and human kindness as she introduces a medical doctor to Ogea’s father who operates his appendicitis and makes him feel young again. She does not only foot his bills but also feed him throughout his stay in the hospital. She also makes sure that she feeds every child that visits her home.
One week after Efuru has returned from her futile trip to look for her husband, she packs her things and leaves for her father’s house. Nobody dares to challenge her decision because it has become obvious that her renegade husband will never return. Everyone that comes to greet and console her encourages her that she will soon remarry. Despite her predicament, Efuru still has a heart for sympathy and human kindness as she introduces a medical doctor to Ogea’s father who operates his appendicitis and makes him feel young again. She does not only foot his bills but also feed him throughout his stay in the hospital. She also makes sure that she feeds every child that visits her home.
Again we see Efuru as a symbol of change and women emancipation. Nwapa makes her an ideal woman as she takes a step to look for her runaway husband before she leaves her marriage which is not working. After all, there is nothing to keep her in such a marriage—no husband, no child. Not many women would have the courage to do what Efuru has done in this typical traditional society for fear of what people will say. However, Efuru does not care.
Although we expect her to be a bitter woman who would not want to treat anybody with care because of her predicament, Efuru surprises many of us by putting her problems aside to care for other people in need. Again, this is what makes her an ideal woman, a near perfect personality.
Chapter Seven
After a few visits to Efuru by Gilbert, a member of her age-group, he proposes marriage to her. He tells her not to rush in giving her reply but to think about it and reply him in four days’ time. Although she has purposed in her heart to marry Gilbert, Efuru decides to confide with Ajanupu, her mentor before she gives Gilbert her consent. Four days after Gilbert goes back to get a reply from her and she tells him that she is ready to marry him because she likes him.
After a few visits to Efuru by Gilbert, a member of her age-group, he proposes marriage to her. He tells her not to rush in giving her reply but to think about it and reply him in four days’ time. Although she has purposed in her heart to marry Gilbert, Efuru decides to confide with Ajanupu, her mentor before she gives Gilbert her consent. Four days after Gilbert goes back to get a reply from her and she tells him that she is ready to marry him because she likes him.
According to Yvonne Chaka Chaka, every woman needs a man. Perhaps this is why Efuru has to settle down with another man after she has been abandoned by Adizua. Unknown to her, Gilbert will not be in any way better than Adizua. It could be argued that Gilbert himself has some reservations as to whether Efuru will accept his proposal. This is why he asks her to give a thought to his proposal before she gives him an answer. Unknown to him, Efuru has already fallen in love with him. Therefore, I am not surprised that he leaves her for another woman because he did not love her in the first place.
Chapter Eight
Efuru does not allow the excitement of her new relationship to stop her from being kind to people as usual. She introduces another woman to the doctor to be treated of her chronic foot disease. Two months after, the woman returns from the hospital in Onicha fresh and healthy and everybody including the woman’s children comes to shower praises and appreciation to Efuru who has given their mother a new lease of life. After a brief preparation, Gilbert visits Efuru’s father and fulfils his marriage obligation which makes Efuru his wife. After the customary preparation, Efuru goes to live with her new husband. Efuru and her husband make a happy couple to the admiration and gossip of everybody in the village. Two years after their marriage without any sign of pregnancy, Efuru agrees with her husband to see a doctor.
Efuru does not allow the excitement of her new relationship to stop her from being kind to people as usual. She introduces another woman to the doctor to be treated of her chronic foot disease. Two months after, the woman returns from the hospital in Onicha fresh and healthy and everybody including the woman’s children comes to shower praises and appreciation to Efuru who has given their mother a new lease of life. After a brief preparation, Gilbert visits Efuru’s father and fulfils his marriage obligation which makes Efuru his wife. After the customary preparation, Efuru goes to live with her new husband. Efuru and her husband make a happy couple to the admiration and gossip of everybody in the village. Two years after their marriage without any sign of pregnancy, Efuru agrees with her husband to see a doctor.
Again, we see Efuru as an ideal woman who would not allow her personal predicament to stop her from showing love and kindness to other people around her. Even though she does not have children of her own, she does not hate other people’s children. This is the real essence of living.
Chapter Nine
After Efuru and her husband have visited the doctor in Onitsha for treatment for her childlessness, she visits her father to confide in him about terrible dreams she has had of recent. Her father decides to consult a dibia on her behalf. After his divination, the dibia tells Efuru that she has been chosen one of the worshippers by Uhamiri, the most powerful goddess in town. She tells her the dos and don’ts of the goddess before he leaves.
After Efuru and her husband have visited the doctor in Onitsha for treatment for her childlessness, she visits her father to confide in him about terrible dreams she has had of recent. Her father decides to consult a dibia on her behalf. After his divination, the dibia tells Efuru that she has been chosen one of the worshippers by Uhamiri, the most powerful goddess in town. She tells her the dos and don’ts of the goddess before he leaves.
This chapter does not only reveal the plight of Efuru but also portray divination as the only means by which people in Efuru’s society receive answers to their questions and solutions to any conundrum in their lives. In typical Igbo and other African societies, traditional religion plays very important role in the lives of the people and they hold traditional priests in high esteem. Whatever he tells the people, they believe it without raising any question or objection. This is why Efuru accepts the verdict of the priest that she has been chosen to serve the sea goddess, Uhamiri. In the next chapter, we shall also see how the traditional priest plays the role of a medical doctor.
Chapter Ten
When Efuru learns about the sickness of her former mother-in-law, she visits her and helps her to feel better. With the company of Ajanupu, she consults a dibia who prescribes a sacrifice for the sick woman to perform and immediately she does that, she becomes well. Ajanupu suggests that Efuru tell her husband to marry another wife who will give him a child since she is childless. Efuru feels bad about the pressure for her husband to get another wife because she now considers herself barren. But she finds solace in the fact that she had had a baby before which means that she is not barren after all.
When Efuru learns about the sickness of her former mother-in-law, she visits her and helps her to feel better. With the company of Ajanupu, she consults a dibia who prescribes a sacrifice for the sick woman to perform and immediately she does that, she becomes well. Ajanupu suggests that Efuru tell her husband to marry another wife who will give him a child since she is childless. Efuru feels bad about the pressure for her husband to get another wife because she now considers herself barren. But she finds solace in the fact that she had had a baby before which means that she is not barren after all.
Not many women in Efuru’s situation will behave the way she does—taking care for a woman whose son has abandoned her. However, I am not surprised at her mien because Nwapa is trying to show us another side of a woman vis-a-vis another side of humanity. Despite how badly Adizua treats her, Efuru does not transfer her anger to his mother as many women in her situation would do. Rather, she visits her on her sick bed and arranges for her treatment.
Again, the vital role of a native doctor in a typical African traditional society is reverberated in this chapter. This time, the native doctor prescribes sacrifice as the only solution to Efuru’s former mother-in-law’s sickness and when the sacrifice is performed, she gets well. In the previous chapter, we saw the same native doctor play the role of a diviner who interprets Efuru’s dream and proffers solution to her predicament. In many traditional African societies where traditional religion is practised, a native doctor is usually the answer to all problems confronting anyone in such society.
Chapter Eleven
Nwosu is now at loggerheads with his wife because of his indebtedness to Efuru. After he has used the money he supposed to pay Efuru to take a title, Nwosu is now in penury. He finds it difficult to feed his family let alone buy new yam seedlings for the next planting season. His wife blames him for his thoughtlessness. Despite the fact that they have not been able to pay their debts, the couple still have the effrontery to go back to their creditor, Efuru to request for another loan. Surprisingly, Efuru promises them another ten pounds. No sooner Nwosu and his wife had gone than Nnona, the woman whom Efuru had helped to heal her sore, comes in seeking financial help. Again, Efuru gives her sixteen shillings—a shilling more than the amount she claimed she had lost to thieves.
Nwosu is now at loggerheads with his wife because of his indebtedness to Efuru. After he has used the money he supposed to pay Efuru to take a title, Nwosu is now in penury. He finds it difficult to feed his family let alone buy new yam seedlings for the next planting season. His wife blames him for his thoughtlessness. Despite the fact that they have not been able to pay their debts, the couple still have the effrontery to go back to their creditor, Efuru to request for another loan. Surprisingly, Efuru promises them another ten pounds. No sooner Nwosu and his wife had gone than Nnona, the woman whom Efuru had helped to heal her sore, comes in seeking financial help. Again, Efuru gives her sixteen shillings—a shilling more than the amount she claimed she had lost to thieves.
As the chapter ends, Efuru finally summons courage to tell her husband that she wants to marry another wife for him so that he can have children. After a little protestation, Gilbert agrees to have another wife.
Again, Efuru’s extraordinary benevolent life is x-rayed in this chapter. Although Nwosu is indebted to her, she still promises to give him another loan and she also gives sixteen shillings to Nnona who has been robbed. Arguably, Nwosu does not deserve another loan. Not because he has not repaid the first loan, but because of what he invested the loan in—chieftaincy title. This is one of the examples of financial recklessness which has made many families in the continent impoverished. Most low income families in Africa would use their hard-earned money or loan to organise a party and after that they would going begging to survive. This is why many financial institutions will want to investigate the project to be invested in before giving loan to an individual. Nwosu would not go to the bank to get a loan because he knows that no bank will loan him money to take a title.
The chapter ends with Efuru’s proposal to marry another wife who will bear children for her husband. Ironically, no one wants to probe the fertility of Gilbert, not even Efuru. Just as Akon sang in his popular hit, all she says is, “You can put the blame on me.” However, she does not know that no matter what she does to make Gilbert happy, he will still leave her. Efuru’s situation is the lot of many women not only in Africa but all over the world. Sometimes women are those who want to do all they can to keep the marriage just the way Efuru does here. Do they always succeed? Well, it is better told than experienced.
Chapter Twelve
Two weeks after Efuru has lent Ogea’s parents another loan, she hears that they have been robbed by thieves. She and Ajanupu visit the family to commiserate with them. Fortunately, the money was not stolen and they give Efuru the money to keep for them. Efuru begins to search for another wife for her husband but her mother-in-law does not seem to approve most of her choices.
Two weeks after Efuru has lent Ogea’s parents another loan, she hears that they have been robbed by thieves. She and Ajanupu visit the family to commiserate with them. Fortunately, the money was not stolen and they give Efuru the money to keep for them. Efuru begins to search for another wife for her husband but her mother-in-law does not seem to approve most of her choices.
True to her nature, while Efuru is still looking for the solution to her problem—childlessness, she still stoops to lend a helping hand to other people in need. Apart from being a lender to many she has also become a banker to Ogea’s parents who entrust her with their money to keep for them. Arguably, if Efuru is not an honest woman, they will not put their money in her care.
Chapter Thirteen
Gilbert visits Sunday, his childhood friend, who is now an ex-service man. They talk about issues which affected them while they were in school and their present conditions. Gilbert tells his friend about a son he has had at Ndoni with the knowledge of neither his wife nor his mother. Gilbert also takes a particular interest in Nkoyeni, Sunday’s youngest sister who is now a grown up girl.
Gilbert visits Sunday, his childhood friend, who is now an ex-service man. They talk about issues which affected them while they were in school and their present conditions. Gilbert tells his friend about a son he has had at Ndoni with the knowledge of neither his wife nor his mother. Gilbert also takes a particular interest in Nkoyeni, Sunday’s youngest sister who is now a grown up girl.
Something usually happens when two old friends meet as we see in this chapter. True to human nature, Gilbert and Sunday share their childhood nostalgias and escapades as well as their future hopes and impediments. It is at this meeting that we begin to see Gilbert’s betrayal and infidelity to Efuru, a woman who is still looking for a way to keep their marriage. This is the truth that he has concealed from Efuru ever since they got married.
Rather than wait for Efuru to take a wife of her choice for him, he decides to marry Nkoyeni, Sunday’s youngest sister. Arguably, he may have been chasing this lady in his heart. However, I have no qualms with this neither does Efuru. This is because in their culture and tradition, polygamy is not only acceptable but also encouraged. The problem I have with Gilbert is the way he dumps a woman who has given her life to him as we will see in the preceding chapters.
Chapter Fourteen
Gilbert takes Nkoyeni as a wife who will give him children since Efuru cannot conceive. True to her character, Efuru does not have any quarrel with her rival wife. Instead, she loves her as a sister. Her relationship with her rival wife seems to baffle everybody including the gossip Omirima, her mother-in-law’s friend. After Gilbert’s son has visited the family with his uncle, it is now obvious that he has had a son outside marriage, Nkoyeni threatens to leave if the boy remains with his father; but Efuru is particularly delighted to see her husband’s son. In order to let peace reign in his house, Gilbert has to send the poor boy back to his mother.
Gilbert takes Nkoyeni as a wife who will give him children since Efuru cannot conceive. True to her character, Efuru does not have any quarrel with her rival wife. Instead, she loves her as a sister. Her relationship with her rival wife seems to baffle everybody including the gossip Omirima, her mother-in-law’s friend. After Gilbert’s son has visited the family with his uncle, it is now obvious that he has had a son outside marriage, Nkoyeni threatens to leave if the boy remains with his father; but Efuru is particularly delighted to see her husband’s son. In order to let peace reign in his house, Gilbert has to send the poor boy back to his mother.
This chapter and, perhaps, the preceding chapter, reveals the truth that has been hidden from Efuru for ages. Gilbert has had a son before they married. Just like many typical men, Gilbert did not see any reason for telling his wife that he had a son. However, the truth can never be hidden—the child visits the father and causes a stir in the home. As usual, Efuru is neither perturbed by the presence of her rival wife nor her step son. Rather, she is happy that her matrimonial home is now filled with people. Unlike her rival wife, Efuru loves people and she always wants to be around people. Her disposition is very rare and hard to come by in our selfish world.
Chapter Fifteen
Nwashike Ogene, Efuru’s father is now dead after a protracted illness. Efuru is terribly sad because she has lost someone who was not only so dear to her but also an acquaintance to confide in whenever she had a problem. Because of the death of Efuru’s father, Nwosu and his friend who are fishing in the high sea faraway from town have to hurry back home. Many gun salutes are also fired in honour of the departed soul.
Nwashike Ogene, Efuru’s father is now dead after a protracted illness. Efuru is terribly sad because she has lost someone who was not only so dear to her but also an acquaintance to confide in whenever she had a problem. Because of the death of Efuru’s father, Nwosu and his friend who are fishing in the high sea faraway from town have to hurry back home. Many gun salutes are also fired in honour of the departed soul.
Admittedly, Efuru is a woman of many sorrows. Not quite long after she has lost her only child, her father, the only close confidant she has had, is now gone. Unknown to her, more troubles are still coming as Gilbert will soon betray her. Even as the burial obsequies are going on, he is not around to help Efuru as he has gone for trade. As I said earlier, Efuru’s situation is better told than experienced.
Chapter Sixteen
Many people are now coming to console Efuru who is very sad not only because she lost her dad but also because Gilbert, her husband who has gone for trade did not participate in the burial of her father. While she is still mourning her father, Nkoyeni, her rival wife gives birth to a bouncing baby boy. Two months after the death of Efuru’s father, Gilbert comes home to the great consternation of his wives who did not expect him to look sick and haggard. Not quite long, it is learnt that he was jailed for three months while in Onicha. In order to create competition and curb Nkoyeni’s excesses, Efuru contacts Ogea’s parents in order to inform them that she wants to marry their daughter to Gilbert. But before the arrangement for the marriage finishes, Efuru takes ill. Efuru’s cause of illness suddenly becomes controversial such that it almost claims the life of her husband who is forced to believe that Efuru is guilty of adultery.
Many people are now coming to console Efuru who is very sad not only because she lost her dad but also because Gilbert, her husband who has gone for trade did not participate in the burial of her father. While she is still mourning her father, Nkoyeni, her rival wife gives birth to a bouncing baby boy. Two months after the death of Efuru’s father, Gilbert comes home to the great consternation of his wives who did not expect him to look sick and haggard. Not quite long, it is learnt that he was jailed for three months while in Onicha. In order to create competition and curb Nkoyeni’s excesses, Efuru contacts Ogea’s parents in order to inform them that she wants to marry their daughter to Gilbert. But before the arrangement for the marriage finishes, Efuru takes ill. Efuru’s cause of illness suddenly becomes controversial such that it almost claims the life of her husband who is forced to believe that Efuru is guilty of adultery.
This chapter reveals yet another dark side of Gilbert. Although we are not told why he was jailed in the trading town of Onicha, we may not be totally wrong to speculate that he may have committed a crime or he was a partner in crime. We also see patriarchy at work here in this chapter. Although his wives have right to know what happened to him in Onicha, Gilbert will not share his experience with these women—perhaps, not because they don’t deserve to know but because they are women. This shows how women are subjugated in typical African societies where men dominate.
Chapter Seventeen
With the help of Ajanupu, Efuru is taken to a hospital in Aba where she is cured of her illness. Immediately she comes back from the hospital, she packs away her things from Gilbert’s house thus ending her second marriage.
With the help of Ajanupu, Efuru is taken to a hospital in Aba where she is cured of her illness. Immediately she comes back from the hospital, she packs away her things from Gilbert’s house thus ending her second marriage.
We thank God for Ajanupu who takes Efuru to hospital to be treated of her illness. If not for her timely intervention, this kind woman would have died. This is why it is often said that to whom much is given, much is expected. It is indisputable that Ajanupu has received help and consolation from Efuru several times and it is now her turn to pay her back, and she does. No thanks to Gilbert who has abandoned and relegated a woman who has invested so much in his life. Now that he has come back from his adventurous trade to see his wife on sick bed, rather than apologise to her for returning late and getting her treated, he accuses her of infidelity in order to cover his shame. Therefore, I am not surprised that Efuru has to walk away from such marriage if at all one could call it marriage.
Study Questions
- “Efuru is a woman more sinned against than sinning.” Discuss this notion with close reference to Efuru.
- Discuss Efuru as a colonial literature.
- Apart from the themes heighted in this summary, discuss other themes which can be deduced from the novel.
- Discuss Efuru as a feminist novel.
- Discuss Nwapa’s portrayal of Efuru in this eponymous novel.
A very good post. EFURU is a book that should be read many times over. I've always felt Gilbert was more of a loser than Adizua was.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting plot.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think it has that deserving ending as I expected it to have.