The View of Women in Societyand Women's Rights

Arguably the most important theme in this novel is that of the way women are treated and viewed in the society of Africa in which the novel is set. Additionally, women's rights and the lack thereof are explored throughout this book. In the first chapter, Esi's anger at driving to the offices of Linga Hideaways results from the fact that she always ends up doing secretarial work when the secretary is away, and this is a result of Esi being a woman. Oko is angry with Esi for putting her career above her duties as a wife, which causes his friends to claim he is not behaving as a man. This causes him to rape Esi. Later at work, Esi realizes she has suffered marital rape though it is impossible in her society since sex from his wife is a man's...