comment on structure

Second Class Citizen is a character-driven novel centered around protagonist Adah's efforts to overcome the primarily gender-based adversity that defines her life. She is born into a society that does not value women or offer them many opportunities, but she is profoundly motivated to pursue an education and a career despite these circumstances. Much like a typical hero's quest plot, Adah travels to an unfamiliar place—England—in pursuit of her goals, and faces numerous obstacles and conflicts along the way. These include the racist attitudes of British residents at this time and her husband Francis's abusive behavior. The reader learns more about Adah as she learns about herself. She is coming of age over the course of the novel and discovering all she is capable of. Adah demonstrates strength and resilience as she perseveres despite the obstacles in order to make her dreams come true.