01.
INTRODUCTION OF THE NOVEL
This novel is about one beautiful
woman known as Ihuoma who has a spirit husband but does not know about it. She
is a young woman with an exemplary character who is admired by the entire
community where she lives, especially the hunter Ekwueme.
Her spirit husband is very powerful
and jealous as well. It kills her first husband, Emenike whom Ihuoma loved
dearly. They had two sons, Nwonna and Azubuike. However, suitors soon want her
hand in marriage but one thing or the other would happen to the man. The latest
suitor, Ekweume, decides to consult the oracles to find out.
ANALYSIS
OF THE NOVEL
FORM
01.
TITLE AND SETTING
1. TITLE OF THE NOVEL
The title of the novel reflects the
content of the book. All that is happening in the novel truly reflects the
cover and the title of the book as well. In the novel, this is proved when
Anyika finally reveals; “Ihnoma is a concubine”. the concubine is a woman who
cohabits and lives together in a sexual relationship with a man but is not
legally married Anyika continues to describe her by saying; “There are few
women like that in the world. It is death to marry them and they leave behind a
harassing string of dead husbands. They are usually, beautiful, very beautiful,
but dogged by their invisible husbands of the Spirit World” (196).
This is the case with Ihnoma. She
is the concubine who has a spirit husband known as the sea king. The spirit
guards her unknowingly. The string of dead husbands is obvious, especially
those who try to marry her. The deaths of Emenike and Madume are the work of
this sea king according to Anyika, Ekwe is not exceptional.
2. THE SETTING OF THE NOVEL
The setting of the novel is a
pre-colonial Nigerian village where African traditions and customs were still
highly practised.
02.
THE PLOT OF THE NOVEL
The novel comprises 30 chapters.
Hence is a brief description for each chapter:
CHAPTER 1
|
The chapter describes the conflict between Emenike and Madume |
This chapter
explains the conflict between the Emenike and Madume. The reason for the
conflict is Madume`s behaviour of land-grabbing and dishonesty. They fight
furiously. They are all injured badly but Emenike is the most injured one
especially when he hits the jagged stump of a tree and he lays down wriggling
weakly. He reaches home badly hurt. Ihuoma hurries and calls her
brother-in-law, Nnadi. Soon the whole village knows about the conflict.
CHAPTER 2
|
The chapter entirely talks about Madume`s family |
The chapter
explains that Madume is now in his early 30s. His compound is small and has
only two houses. His wife, Wolu is afraid of him all the time. They have four
daughters. One of their daughters is called Adanna. Madume bullies his wife
together with their four daughters claiming that female children are useless.
It also talks about Koko.
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