Excising the spiritual, physical and psychological self: An analysis of female circumcision in the works of Flora Nwapa, Ngugi Wa Thiongo, and Alice Walker (Nigeria)

This work is a study of female circumcision in Flora Nwapa's Efuru, Ngugi wa Thiongo's The River Between, and Alice Walker's Possessing The Secret of Joy. First of all, in order to contextualize the works, there is a lengthy section about female circumcision in its three main forms, and an interpretation of the events that have led to the maintenance of the ritual.; It is notable that the issue of female circumcision is presented in vastly different manners by each author. Each of the presentations of ritual will be analyzed. It is not, however, the attempt of this study to assess the practice of female circumcision, but it is to present the reader with the major arguments for and against female circumcision, to assist one in understanding the complexity of the issues surrounding its maintenance, and allow for individual interpretations. Each work will be analyzed specifically, and references will be made to the other works throughout, particularly in the study of the final novel, Alice Walker's Possessing The Secret of Joy.; The conclusion of this work will discuss, briefly, some of my own queries and feelings of ambiguity about female circumcision which developed as a result of this study.