56 quotes
I work toward the liberation of women but I'm not a feminist. I'm just a woman.
Hunger drove Francis to work as a clerical officer in the post office. Adah's hopes rose. This might save the marriage after all.
I am a woman and a woman of Africa. I am a daughter of Nigeria and if she is in shame, I shall stay and mourn with her in shame.
Relatives watching wanted and expected me to break down and cry, thereby devaluing my inner sorrow.
Head Above Water (1994)
The uneducated man has no such choices. Once he has lost his boring job, he feels he's lost his life. That is unfair.
Head Above Water (1994)
Typical Igbo psychology; men never do wrong, only the women; they have to beg for forgiveness, because they are bought, paid for and must remain like that, silent, obedient slaves.
You must forsake your sinful ways, and be faithful servants. Obey your old master and your young master…if you disobey your earthly master, you offend your heavenly Master. You must obey God’s commandments.
The Slave Girl (1977)
I replied, “God alone knows how much I have suffered; and He, I trust, will forgive me. If I am permitted to have my children, I intend to be a good mother, and to live in such a manner that people cannot treat me with contempt.
The Slave Girl (1977)
My mistress had taught me the precepts of God’s Word: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.” But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not recognize me as her neighbor.
The Slave Girl (1977)
She had gambled with marriage, just like most people, but she had gambled unluckily and had lost.
In all my novels… I deal with the many problems and prejudices which exist for Black people in Britain today.
They were going to get the room they were asking for. Pa Noble was too old for Sue.
I thought at one time I would be thrown out. But I was not.
Head Above Water (1994)
In Ibuza sons help their father more than they help their mother. A mother's joy is only in the name. She worries over them, looks after them when they are small; but in the actual help on the farm, the upholding of the family name, all belong to the father.
The Joys of Motherhood (1979)
There were men who would go about raping young virgins of thirteen and fourteen, and still expect the women they married to be as chaste as flower buds.
The Bride Price (1976)
Marriage is lovely when it works, but if it does not, should one condemn oneself ? I stopped feeling guilty for being me.
She did not delude herself into expecting Francis to love her. He had never been taught how to love, but had an arresting way of looking pleased at Adah's achievements.
When has it ever been a virtue to be rich in wealth and poor in people?' The relatives nodded. They understood her very well- why have heaven an earth when you have no one to share it with?
Head Above Water (1994)
I did not discover till years afterward that Mr. Thorne’s intemperance was not the only annoyance she suffered from…he had poured vile language into the ears of [Grandmother’s] innocent great-grandchild.
The Slave Girl (1977)
But who made the law that we should not hope in our daughters? We, women, subscribe to that law more than anyone. Until we change all this, it is still a man's world, which women will always help to build.”