Kehinde is a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society. She went against the norms of the traditional Ibo society. How can we justify her actions and reactions in the novel “Kehinde”?
in my point of view, i personally think that what kehinde did throughout the whole story is a self-defense towards herself.if i were trapped in a situation similar to kehinde, i will do the same thing.upon reading the novel,i can't wait to know kehinde's reaction towards every event that occurs.for example,upon knowing that albert had taken his second wife,she did not react like other igbo woman,instead,she question albert's loyalty towards her.as for the end of the story,i personally think that kehinde's relationship with micheal gibson gets stronger because of her loneliness.her affair with the guy might be interpreted in many ways according to what gender you belong to.if you are a man, you might think it is not an appropriate way to move on with your life, but if you are a woman,you might be thinking that woman should be treated with love as well.for that particular reason, i think kehinde's action and reaction towards every event proves that she is a very strong woman which struggle with things around her.
I think that what Kehinde do is just to defence her right as a woman in the society. Nigerian's culture is totally against the woman's right and Igbo woman live for their husband and not for themselves. they don't even have their own right to make any decision but to "hide" themselves in the society. Kehinde did what she think is right for her. She dare to fight agaibst the Igbo culture . She doesn't agree with polygamy.
In my point of view,Kehinde character tried to show the stand of freedom among nigerian woman,who still live in their culture.Kehinde show how she live without her husband and had a good job for continue her life in London.She also felt very dissapointed because her husband married other woman without told her,and she really banned their cultural that man can marry and get a wife if they want it.She also disagree with in nigerian the certificate really important than the experience in job.Kehinde does'nt have high school but she have experience in banking work,so she can get work easier in London.But in Nigeria she connt find a job.that make her tried to fight the society.
I believe Kehinde is first a woman before she is a Nigerian and that is a fact we must bare in mind. Not a lot of women are open to the idea of sharing her husband. When she had married Albert she had not counted on him taking on another wife although she knew it was his right. Albert’s sudden decision to take on a second wife Kehinde had not been prepared for. She therefore acted as any warm-blooded woman would.
Furthermore more Albert’s views towards polygamy had been that it was “degrading” for women. I quote a line said be Kehinde, “I therefore thought we were of the same mind on the matter” (Page 84/ Line 21). This in itself proves that Albert had completely misled Kehinde into thinking that he would not opt for polygamy. If Albert had been for polygamy all this while Kehinde could have foreseen this and a relationship between the two may not have even been possible.
Truly this speaks volumes about Albert! But this isn’t about Albert! Moving on….
In the case of Kehinde she cannot be compare to any other Nigerian woman as her circumstances are very different. She is a Nigerian woman who spent most of her marriage in England where she knew equality existed and polygamy far from accepted. Had she lived in Nigeria all her life she would have been prepared for an event like this.
Concluding that in my opinion Kehinde's actions were completely justified!
Personally, I totally believe that Kehinde's actions were justified. After all, if my own husband had taken a second wife, I would probably react the same way. Kehinde may be an Igbo woman, however, she has spent years in London where things that are acceptable in Nigeria are not social norms in London. While she and her family were living in London, there was no sign or any hint from Albert that he ever wanted a second wife. So why is it strange that she was shocked? Also, when she was growing up, she never liked or reconciled herself to the idea of a polygamous family, as she was raised by her aunt, and then later spent her days in a boarding school run by nuns. Not the typical Igbo childhood. So, again, even though by race she is Igbo, her upbringing and her background does not truly reflect traditional Igbo culture, therefore she is not to be blamed for reacting in a very un-Igbo-like manner.
In my opinion, Kehinde clearly portrays the sociological and personal difficulties of welfare mothers in London, drawing heavily on her own personal experience. Thus, this made her rebellious, independent and a strong woman.
Kehinde left her successful career and her London home just to follow Albert to Nigeria, where he has been for a year. It was very unfortunate to Kehinde when she discovers that her husband had already tied a knot with another woman in Nigeria who is already pregnant by him despite the promises of monogamy when they were first married.
Kehinde then returned back to London and begins new life by herself and that proves her of being independent and strong to survive alone. She becomes strong enough to quiet the voice of her stillborn twin, who has spoken to her and influenced her actions throughout her life.
Moreover, once Kehinde tastes freedom, then she can't be expected to accept marital slavery again. This is what her new identity requires and she finds spiritual balance and reconciliation in following the urges of her new bicultural self.
Kehinde’s actions are very much justified due to the difficulties that she has faced in life.
I do believe that most of the readers might think that kehinde’s actions upon Albert and her reactions which against Igbo cultures are mostly justified. However, I am strongly disagreeing with her actions due to some reasons.
Basically, at first she felt very upset when one of her friend leave her husband and she thought a wife should not did such actions which against their values and norms. Besides, readers might think Albert actions marrying other women as wrong and it lead to the issue of women discrimination.
Nevertheless, do we ever realize that Albert is bounded with Igbo cultures where most men will have more than one wives. Thus, readers must be understood that Albert should have to marry other women not because of sexual matters or showing powers but because of the culture itself. I do think Albert has taken a right decision or else he will be called a deviant.
Frankly speaking, kehinde also somehow is ego because she might think she has better career and income than her husband. As for example, “when kehinde said “your house”, she was playing the role of the “good” Nigerian women. Conversely, when he said “our house”, he was being careful not to upset her. (Page 4 para. 8).
Thus, Albert always clear that their house is belongs to kehinde actually, but he never attempt to say that house is belong to him even he can do so because he is the house’s leader.
Her actions by leaving her children and sharing life with other man somehow can be said as revenge. If kehinde would not disobeyed and live with her husband in Nigeria she must has better life with her own husband and children. At first, she might think she was been discriminated and people surround her dislikes herself. But, this is due to her actions who being deviant and did not follow Igbo’s cultures.
Furthermore, as a Nigerian women, kehinde should obey her values even though she grew and living in London. She must be understood her own roots where she belongs too. Albert has invited her to settle down in Nigeria although he has married other women who more educated but still not forget her own cultures and traditions.
In my opinion, I think that Kehinde's action in this story is a normal action in our society. Every human being has their own rights in their life. We decide ourselves what we need and what kind of life that we want. We should not follow the ridiculous rules that the ancestors had made just because to satisfy them. In this modernization, we should think possitively, optimistically and rationally so that we can lead a better life. Kehinde needs a partner in her life as she makes friend with Michael Gibson. We have feelings towards all things so does Kehinde. Kehinde feels lonely without companion and her family and this makes she always talk to herself and has two different characters in one time. Actually, she is playing with her psychology. I think that Kehinde is a strong and independent woman because she can survive in other country and have a good job and a house of own. This give us a good lesson and teach us how to stand on our own legs without relying on anybody. Finally, I strictly object the culture that have been practise at Nigeria till now.
In my view,i personally think what Kehinde have done throughout the story is just to defence herself, to fight for her own right as a women and as a wife eventhough it is against the Igbo culture.If i were in Kehinde's place i might take the same actions as what she had done.But there are some of Kehinde actions that i don't really agree for example living her childrens and share her life with other men in London, actually eventhough she was not well treated by her husband and her other family members back in Nigeria but she still have to remember her own roots where she come from.
In my point of view,I think that Kehinde's action is right.Her action was a reflection by the crucial situation that she have to face after what her husband have done.Kehinde need to strive very hard for her future by working at the bank in London.Instead,I do agree with her action because as a women,I understand how hard our life is without men but we must be strong in order to go through the life alone.Besides that,she is a Nigerian women that against polygamy.Finally,Kehinde was really struggle for her life.
pity Kehinde...i really don't like Albert character in this story.I think Kehinde should do the same thing to Albert,so Albert will fell what Kehinde was feel when she Albert had new wife..why should women must be the victim of polygamy...At last of this story Kehinde should married with Micheal Gibson,so she does not feel lonely..Honestly i like the way of Kehinde was doing in this story.that was the women should do nowdays..but for me i really disagree with polygamy..say No to Polygamy...i hope i will never meet guy unfaithful like Albert...
Hello everyone, I’m Gloria (A120090) and this is my opinion due to the question “Kehinde”. Kehinde is rebellious in the eyes of Nigerian society because she shows her disagreement with the ideas of polygamy of the society by behaving differently and tries to changes it within her actions and reactions in the story.
I believe that what Kehinde had done is to defense herself and it is totally justified! In this world, which women want to share their husband with another woman? None… women could share anything BUT not their husband! It is their life! None of us want to share our life with another person. Kehinde tries to against the norms of society when she rather go back to England when she knew and shocking that her husband gets another wife when she comes back to Nigeria, furthermore his new wife is pregnant. Besides, Albert has neglected her and even her children as well. In addiction, Albert sister badly treat her in Nigeria. Kehinde is fight for her own right, she decide to moved and go back to England. She realize, in Nigeria there is no longer space for her anymore.
In addiction, Kehinde is not a typically Igbo women because she is fully exposure to the western life when she live in England. She is a modern women. In England, she is not bound by the customs of an Igbo wife. She expects the individuality freedom and gender equality which she had at England compare to Nigeria. This awareness makes Kehinde react differently from other Igbo women. For example, Rike have much higher education from Kehinde but she does not have rebellious spirit because she truly typical Igbo women without expose to others norms.
Besides, by the nature Kehinde is a rebellious person. This could be or possibly because her twin and her mother died and she survive. She survives from the birth and she naturally became survival. When she grew up she had no mother and father to lead her and she is depend on herself. Kehinde is very different from the other lgbo women so we cannot expect that she will accept the discriminate system towards women. That all my thought..thank you.
Hello everyone, I’m Gloria (A120090) and this is my opinion due to the question “Kehinde”. Kehinde is rebellious in the eyes of Nigerian society because she shows her disagreement with the ideas of polygamy of the society by behaving differently and tries to changes it within her actions and reactions in the story.
I believe that what Kehinde had done is to defense herself and it is totally justified! In this world, which women want to share their husband with another woman? None… women could share anything BUT not their husband! It is their life! None of us want to share our life with another person. Kehinde tries to against the norms of society when she rather go back to England when she knew and shocking that her husband gets another wife when she comes back to Nigeria, furthermore his new wife is pregnant. Besides, Albert has neglected her and even her children as well. In addiction, Albert sister badly treat her in Nigeria. Kehinde is fight for her own right, she decide to moved and go back to England. She realize, in Nigeria there is no longer space for her anymore.
In addiction, Kehinde is not a typically Igbo women because she is fully exposure to the western life when she live in England. She is a modern women. In England, she is not bound by the customs of an Igbo wife. She expects the individuality freedom and gender equality which she had at England compare to Nigeria. This awareness makes Kehinde react differently from other Igbo women. For example, Rike have much higher education from Kehinde but she does not have rebellious spirit because she truly typical Igbo women without expose to others norms.
Besides, by the nature Kehinde is a rebellious person. This could be or possibly because her twin and her mother died and she survive. She survives from the birth and she naturally became survival. When she grew up she had no mother and father to lead her and she is depend on herself. Kehinde is very different from the other lgbo women so we cannot expect that she will accept the discriminate system towards women. That all my thought..thank you.
in my personal point of view, i think the action that have been taken by Kehinde is the right action that every Nigerian women who have gone through the same situation should take. i srtongly agree with her action when she decided to leave Albert after she knew that he has been takev a second wife without her concern while she was lefted alone in Londan.
I also admirred her because she intended to fight against the polygamy society by her alone evevthou she is a Nigerian women and used to follow his husband wishes.It is really cruel when Albert use the rite as the leader of family to ask Kehinde to abort their third child.this is the complecated sitution for Kehinde when she cannot protect her own blood from being killed without giving a chance.
As in the other hand,the relationship that she had with Mr Gibson.....actually there is nothing wrong with that seems Albert not a good husband either loyal to Kehinde. As for me, it is a normal neccessary for every human beings to find a companien or partner to full fill their biological and mentally needs to share with.
I’m Thevakee (A118823), I would like to point out my opinions due to this question. In my point of view what Kehinde had do is just to defense her rights as a women. So that, I believe that her actions and reactions in this novel are justified. Kehinde is rebellious in the eye of Nigerian society because she goes against on the issue of polygamy which a man can have more than one wife. I strongly believe that what Kehinde had done is to defense herself. Every woman in this world surely won’t let her husband be shared by another woman. So, in this situation Kehinde feels the same. She was very shocked after knowing that her husband had married with another woman. To make the situation more worse, Kehinde saw her husband’s second wife was pregnant. This makes Kehinde very disappointed because when they were at London Albert asked Kehinde to abort the baby with the reason he can’t afford to look after the baby. Furthermore, when Kehinde came back to Nigeria she was treated badly by Albert’s sisters to not call her own husband’s name and they did not let Kehinde to sit beside Albert. Kehinde is a rebellious woman naturally, so she doesn’t like she is discriminated by others. In addition, even though Kehinde belongs to Ibo society but she is not a typical Ibo woman like Rike. Kehinde was brought up her aunt with the western environment. So, she prefers to be independent and not to be discriminated by men. She strongly believes that women should be given freedom and equal rights like men. As a conclusion, Kehinde is totally different from other Ibo society women who disagrees the issue of polygamy and the discrimination of women. So, all her actions in this novel are justified.
Peoples tend to see things in their own eyes. I mean, their own cultural values. We ignored there are cultural differences. We are students from SKBS 1023, as Malaysians who uphold the basis of individualism and liberty. To us, what Kehinde have done is all right.she's fight for her rights...she's doing what normally women will do...BUT, it's not the same for the Igbo society in Nigeria. We must not forget, Kehinde lived in London for 18 years, she's more British than Nigerian. Lagos, where everyone; old or young, rich or poor, men or women, accept the practice of polygamy. That's what culture is, a consensus of society.For Kehinde, a Londoner who obeys the laws that criminalized polygamy, Lagos is not a place for her. For Lagos, Kehinde is not for them, she's ominous, she's norm breaker. We justify what Kehinde have done just simply by our own cultural values. What Kehinde have done can't be measure in any empirical way. There was no right or wrong, black or white, false or truth; it's just about what cultural context you uses to fit the world in. KEHINDE is not a love story, Buchi Emecheta won't gave you love story, African writers won't gave you love story; it's a cultural story. It's differences of cultures made who we are and how we see the world. -A 125545
I want to make a comment on comment. Our beloved Hafiszudin (a.k.a. Adam) have said that Kehinde is not obeying her culture. Yes, his statement is not wrong. But, the question is: Should a British obeying the culture of Nigeria? As I said earlier, Kehinde is "not" an Igbo. Ms.Emecheta hinted that as she designed Kehinde as a part of twins. In Nigeria, Igbo society practice twins killing. That means Kehinde is not an Igbo from the moment she was born , because she was already " sentenced to death", she was died in the eyes of the Igbo peoples.How come Kehinde should obey the Igbo culture? We may feel that Kehinde is too strong when dealing with Albert, because Kehinde is a 100% British!We know the name of Margaret Thatcher, the British PM, but do you know the name of Mr. Thatcher without open the Wikipedia? My message is, we can justify Kehinde by putting her in a culture that she's belong to. It's right for Kehinde to leave Lagos, it's her freedom to choose what culture she's belongs to.
Actually I would regard Kehinde as an independent woman and she has her own thought. Maybe in the eyes of Nigerian society, she is a rebel, she went against the norms of the traditional Igbo society, but does she really a rebel?? Every woman has their own right in saying yes or no. For Kehinde, she also has the right in making her own decision. She decide to leave her husband, to move back London, where she could do what she likes. At London there, she has her own job and the custom, which is the most comfortable for her. She accepted the Igbo customs, there is polygamy system, once she knows that Albert, her husband taken a second wife, she’s been very shocked because she thinks her husband would be different from other Nigerian men, but in fact he is still Nigerian man at all. She learns that her husband could probably take another third, fourth wives. This can be proved through the conversation between her and Rike (Albert’s second wife). Besides, she also knows that Nigerian women have to do something, but not stay at home. Hence, it is nothing for her to care about, her both children are all grown up and she is decided to go back London. At the time when she going back to London, there is nobody there, because you (Kehinde) have shamed us, said Ifeyinwa on behalf the people. But she don’t think she has done anything wrong, she tells Ifenyiwa that being without Albert in London, she will be free to decide what to do with her money( page 105). Her action might be different from what the Nigerian people aspect her to be. Kehinde does not want wasting time in Nigerian and doing nothing, hence I would say that is a wised decision. I would say that she understand the custom there, and accepting the facts. She is not what the nigerian people thinks..
In my opinion, Kehinde's action in this novel is justified. In Igbo culture women have rights to take their own decision moreover the married women. However Kehinde come out from this culture and manage to live by her own without her husband. Albert, her husband married to other women without Kehinde's knowledge. Kehinde manage to face this struggle by taking her own decision to go back to London and start a new life. Kehinde's action is simply fair and Kehinde should be a role model for every woman in the world.
Kehinde is a representation of woman who seeks for justice and self-defense after being through all the obedient toward the patriarchal power. As an Ibo woman, she is expected to hold the culture bearer where she is supposed to comply with the tradition and the society's expectation on her. After being away from her motherland, education, experienced and new culture turned her to be more aggressive and independent. Albert could not take it into consideration as it against his authority and his cultural expectation. His decision to go back to Nigeria is one of his mission to regain his pride after being taken away by the Western culture. When he founds out what he had lost, then Kehinde realized after all the sacrifices that she had give to the family are nothing to the culture. Sometimes, when I read throughout the story, as I flip throughout the pages I can found a reflection of myself in Kehinde. Is this what the culture expected us as woman to be? Obey, submissive yet in the end we are being eliminated. Whats wrong of being independent? Whats wrong of being outspoken and equal?Kehinde fights all this query with her dignity and leave us woman something to look back in future.
In my point of view, I think that Kehinde is doing the right thing. Everyone of us should have our own principle and respect. Instead, everyone of us should be treated equally but not according to the tradition and society. As we know, as we are moving along with the modern society, it is udeniable to say that we should learn to grow as well, if we keep practicing the old tradition and culture, there is no doubt that maybe we cannot get along with the modern society and we cannot prosper ourselves. Just like Kehinde in the story, she is fighting according to her right and she knows that she has the right to fight against some norms and tradition of the society because she knows that she deserves a better treatment especially she learn to understand the status of the women in the Ibo society. WE cannott say that she is the rebel of the society. However, did the Ibo society concern about their rights. Of course i did not say that we should always fight according to our rights and ignore the old practices or tradition. Instead, we should absorb the right things and improve the areas that we should improve. Most importantly, we should live as a happy community but not the community that traet all the people unfairly...
NICHOLAS ( A120585 ) In my opinion, why is kehinde was a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society, this is because kehinde is the only one women who are standup for her own right and her own freedom. She against the norms of the society is not because she doesn’t like the tradition but as a women she have the right decide what is the best for her own future. What I can say form her action and reaction, when she found out the her husband Albert has marriage with the another’s women kehinde was very up sad. She didn’t expect the her husband will take another’s women she expect that her husband was difference from any other’s Nigerian man. In addiction, what I know that kehinde did not accept the polygamy sistem in the ibo tradition and she really love her husband and she think that she can’t share her love with other’s women, furthermore his new wife was pregnant. Besides, her husband Albert did not care and neglected her and their children as well. Other than that, what was lead to kehinde action this is because she has been exposure to the western life, custom, culture and this has mixed into her own life and this make her learn the individual freedom and gender equality when she was live in England. The as what has write in the novel, kehinde decide to go back England and start the new life because there was nothing she can do if she continue to stay at Nigerian, she has lost his family she lost her husband, love and the happiness they gain while they live in England. This is clearly justified kehinde actions why she behave and react as what the society think that she was a rebel who are against the norms of the tradition ibo society.
For me , I'm quite satisfied with the end of the story ,KEHINDE. She makes a good decision on leaving her husband and a country which womans have no right to say anything when their husband get a second wife.. Yet, how can a womans accept the truth when they realized they have to share their husband with others ? In this modern generation i bet all the girls will make the same ways as Kehinde did at the last too... although Kehinde born in Nigeria but i strongly agree she has the right to choose what culture she prefer...
Kehinde is a western education Nigeria woman. She is an independent woman. She gains more income than her husband, Albert, when they stay in London. When she knew Albert has taken a second wife in Nigeria, she really can’t accept it although she knows that happens all the time in Ibo society. She didn’t expect Albert will take a second wife because she feels Albert is different from other Nigeria man. She wonders how Albert can change so fast. When she back Nigeria, she longed the freedom in London. Kehinde decided to leave Nigeria, to a lead a life on her own in London. She doesn’t want to depend on Albert. Besides, she has relationship with Michael Gibson. That may be a rebellion on Albert. Through all her reaction, we can see clearly that how she went against the norm of Ibo society.
Kehinde is a western education Nigeria woman. She is an independent woman. She gains more income than her husband, Albert, when they stay in London. When she knew Albert has taken a second wife in Nigeria, she really can’t accept it although she knows that happens all the time in Ibo society. She didn’t expect Albert will take a second wife because she feels Albert is different from other Nigeria man. She wonders how Albert can change so fast. When she back Nigeria, she longed the freedom in London. Kehinde decided to leave Nigeria, to a lead a life on her own in London. She doesn’t want to depend on Albert. Besides, she has relationship with Michael Gibson. That may be a rebellion on Albert. Through all her reaction, we can see clearly that how she went against the norm of Ibo society.
In the eyes of Nigerian Society, Kehinde really is rebel. She against their culture and never practise it. She also can not accept polygamy. why she will react this way because is she never lived in a polygamous family and she live in London with Albert and both children almost fifteen years. She already adapt the ife in London which man and woman have an equal status. She never counted on Albert will take on another wife. Albert suddenly decided to move back to Nigeria where man have a high status at there. Albert had left Kehinde alone in London for two years and he taking on a second wife without inform Kehinde. When Kehinde go back to Nigeria only realise that her husband marry with another woman and have another two children. She have not prepare for sharing her husband with another woman. She feel that she is a starnger in Nigeria and what she sacrifice for her family is nothing at there. She decide to leave for London although she had lost her job in ank and her family. She feel disappointed and believe in her that she is strong enough to live alone in London. For me, what she did is right and not a rebel because she just fight for what she wants and the authority for a woman and also escape for a patriachal society.
after reading all the other comments posted, i reckon Kehinde's actions has been fairly justified already. In the novel, we do not see only the rebellious side of Kehinde, the reason that it was a struggle for her is because she do care about the role an Igbo woman should play. Otherwise, she wouldn't respect her husband's selfish wish to abort the child or go through the trouble of changing 'clothes ten times as rich men's wives did in Nigeria', 'to boost the ego of the man of the house' for Albert's farewell party.. Most of all, the Nigerian woman in her can be found from the negative judgment she had towards Mary. She obeyed Albert's abrupt decision to return to Nigeria while she stayed back. She did indeed put in effort for the marriage and being the Igbo wife she should be. Yet, it wasn't appreciated by Albert who was only desperate to reclaim his right as his father's heir and as the man in the house. Kehinde never could get herself to agree to polygamy and so did Albert. It was an understanding they both shared, they could converse with each other as equal companions until Albert's self esteem was challenged and he decided to break that mutual understanding or to say trust just so that he can feel like he is back in charge again. He could have told Kehinde the conflicts he was going through but it was too much for his ego. For Kehinde to return to Nigeria and finding out a new wife Albert never mentioned, I would say it is a betrayal of their marriage although an Igbo man has the right to wed more than a wife. Kehinde would never had chosen Albert as her spouse if she knew in the first place that he is a man who practices polygamy. Put aside the norms, the role of a Nigerian woman; in this case, Kehinde is simply unjustly treated as a person. Maybe some women like Rike with a doctorate could conform but Kehinde clearly could not. Rike wasn't forced, she was more than willing to succumb to such position. It is only fair that Kehinde is given a chance to choose a path that she wishes for and one that is less suffocating for her. The kids are fine, Albert is fine, they didn't show a need for her. Why then should she allow herself to remain in a marginalized position? Why then should she stay back in Nigeria and withhold her own life for no reason? Take note that she never deny them, instead she made it clear that when they needed her, they are free to come to her and ask for her. She did try to work out the marriage until Albert's behavior constantly proves to her that it is time for her to move on. She gave up her stable job and well established life for Albert and receive nothing in return. She had to start all over on her own. With a degrading job and being ill treated by the Arab. WIth this, I would say, the least she deserves is to have at least her actions justified, instead of being called as a rebel.
In my point of view, Kehinde is a rebellious woman to against her Ibo’s society culture. In this story, Kehinde try to avoid following the Ibo’s society traditional culture. So, it was framed that Kehinde is a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society. Normally, women not allowed their husband marry second wife. It was same that Kehinde feels when she knows that her husband have second wife. In addition, the shocked news that she heard is his second wife was pregnant. At the same time, at England Albert asked her to abort her baby because he not yet plans to get another baby. Moreover, at Nigeria Albert’s sister treated Kehinde badly. Albert’s sister ordered Kehinde does not treat Albert as her husband and do not sit near him. At this situation, Kehinde feels someone control her. Actually, she is a rebellious woman, and try to make it what was ordered by her sister in law. Finally, Kehinde feel to release from the Ibo society and goes back to England. Yet this story justify that Kehinde action and reactions in the novel “Kehinde” shows that she never like to follow the Ibo society traditional culture in her life.
Hi Sir, I’m Siti Zulaiha bte Bassaro. I’d like to share my thoughts regarding to your question on your blog. But before that, I’ve a question that is wondering in my mind, being a rebel on something, should it be looking from negative side or positive side? Sometimes people tend to think that being a rebel is to protest on something that is fixed for her where the person is not satisfied with. This situation will ultimately bring negative perception of the society toward the people who break their rules. My personal opinion is, people can practice their tradition as long as there is no discrimination among them. Besides, they must know which the best for them. Each person must have their own individual aspiration, but due to the communal expectations she has to fulfill it and ignore their own dream. This situation happen to Kehinde, a Nigerian woman who lives in England.In the beginning of the story, Kehinde is a woman who has everything in her life. She has her husband, her children and also her great job in a bank. But due to the patriarchal oppression she has to obey everything that has been asked to. Even from aborting the baby, she is willing to do. But her husband Albert, never look this as her big sacrifice as he married another woman when he comes back to his motherland. When Kehinde quit her job and comes back to Nigeria, it is also another sacrificial thing that she has done. Her only intention is to meet with her husband and children as she really missed them. But what she gets after come back? Only the upset feeling filling in her heart, her husband married another woman and the family treatment as well as the society not like before. She has to share her husband with another woman. Maybe it is ok with her if the husband treats her equally and still loves her like before. But everything has changed after they moved to Nigeria. From the bitterness that she has faced in her life, she has build up her new life by her own by moving back to England. Even though she has to start from the beginning, she has gone through it successfully as she faced it patiently. Perhaps because of this, she has been look as a rebel towards her society as she left her husband. I think it is not a mistake for a woman like Kehinde to do that, because all she knows is to find justice in her life. Women can be rebel if their rights are denied. I love the strong spirit in Kehinde because she has showed that women are no weakness.
In my opinion, kehinde was a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society, because kehinde is the only one women who are standup for her own right and her own freedom.She don’t really want to be a puppet through her life. She against the norms of the society is not because she doesn’t like the tradition but as a women she have the right decide what is the best for her own future.In this story she seems to have her own struggleness that she have to voice out so that she will be a resemblance to other igbo women. when she found out the her husband Albert has marriage with the another’s women kehinde was very up sad and she felt that the whole world that she image is just collapse like that after her husband been a polygamy and betrayed herself.This make her to make a turning poin in her life to live her life alone;separated from his husband, and yet this make her so independent which is normally not entertaint and welcome by the igbo society. I kehinde become more self confident and not rely to Albert becourse she has been exposure to the western life, custom, culture and this has mixed into her own life and this make her learn the individual freedom and gender equality when she was live in England. The as what has write in the novel, kehinde decide to go back England and start the new life because there was nothing she can do if she continue to stay at Nigerian, she has lost his family she lost her husband, love and the happiness they gain while they live in England. This is clearly justified kehinde actions why she behave and react as what the society think that she was a rebel who are against the norms of the tradition ibo society.
Kehinde is a Nigerian women and the novel is about her, who went against the norms of the traditional Ibo society. So she become as a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society. In my point of view, what Kehinde did is acceptable and defensible. Each person has their own rights and feelings in their life. We the one who suppose to decide the life we want to live and what we need in our life. We should not follow the rules of culture that not satisfy us or giving negative decision to us. Throughout reading the whole novel I get to know that Kehinde was faced a lot of problems in her life and she suffer a lot. So what she did is must be categorized or say as she shield herself or her action to get her freedom in her life. Kehinde is really a strong women where she can continue her life without base on others and especially on her husband. For example, when she get to know that Albert had taken his second wife, she did not react like other Igbo woman, such as crying or as totally lost their life or no mean live a life without their husband. After her husband leave her, Kehinde feels lonely without companion and her family. Kehinde needs a partner in her life and so she makes friend with Michael Gibson. Kehinde is a strong and independent woman because she can survive in other country and have a good job and a own house. Base on the information in this story, Nigerian's culture is totally against the woman's right. Besides that, the Igbo women live their life for their husband and not for themselves except Kehinde. They too don't have their own rights to make decision in their life base on their own wish. But is the first Nigerian women who did what she think is right for her. She dare to fight against the Igbo culture. Finally, I would like to say that each women must refer to Kehinde when their life is in dilemma.
Joel Alexander In my view, yes she is the rebel in Nigerian perspective in feminism, culture and Ibo society. She breaks the entire rule and norms of her culture without hesitated. However, there is one thing missing here that we cannot misjudge here. Kehinde is a woman that married to an Ibo man Albert and she has long left Nigeria since she married. Culture between Nigeria and England was far different to compare with, Kehinde has migrated to England and starting to adapts, have education and face new culture she’s beginning to loves Englan. After several years lived together with Albert and have child while pregnant to Albert baby suddenly he ask for her to have a second wife, in England polygamy was not a common norm that would be accept by the society. She strictly insists of her husband will because she never thought that Albert would practiced polygamy as the Ibo society but finally her husband left her. She went back to Nigeria and facing back to her society but as the result, she was treated very badly. Now, she goes back to England then sits for good. This shows that, the conflicts within herself to resist the Ibo society and escaping from the society to change her life as a new person who would freely make on her life decision and what she wants to be. By, JOel McClain Alexander (A112048)
38 comments:
in my point of view, i personally think that what kehinde did throughout the whole story is a self-defense towards herself.if i were trapped in a situation similar to kehinde, i will do the same thing.upon reading the novel,i can't wait to know kehinde's reaction towards every event that occurs.for example,upon knowing that albert had taken his second wife,she did not react like other igbo woman,instead,she question albert's loyalty towards her.as for the end of the story,i personally think that kehinde's relationship with micheal gibson gets stronger because of her loneliness.her affair with the guy might be interpreted in many ways according to what gender you belong to.if you are a man, you might think it is not an appropriate way to move on with your life, but if you are a woman,you might be thinking that woman should be treated with love as well.for that particular reason, i think kehinde's action and reaction towards every event proves that she is a very strong woman which struggle with things around her.
I think that what Kehinde do is just to defence her right as a woman in the society. Nigerian's culture is totally against the woman's right and Igbo woman live for their husband and not for themselves. they don't even have their own right to make any decision but to "hide" themselves in the society. Kehinde did what she think is right for her. She dare to fight agaibst the Igbo culture . She doesn't agree with polygamy.
By,
Kirubashnee A/P Perumal
A124730
In my point of view,Kehinde character tried to show the stand of freedom among nigerian woman,who still live in their culture.Kehinde show how she live without her husband and had a good job for continue her life in London.She also felt very dissapointed because her husband married other woman without told her,and she really banned their cultural that man can marry and get a wife if they want it.She also disagree with in nigerian the certificate really important than the experience in job.Kehinde does'nt have high school but she have experience in banking work,so she can get work easier in London.But in Nigeria she connt find a job.that make her tried to fight the society.
I believe Kehinde is first a woman before she is a Nigerian and that is a fact we must bare in mind. Not a lot of women are open to the idea of sharing her husband. When she had married Albert she had not counted on him taking on another wife although she knew it was his right. Albert’s sudden decision to take on a second wife Kehinde had not been prepared for. She therefore acted as any warm-blooded woman would.
Furthermore more Albert’s views towards polygamy had been that it was “degrading” for women. I quote a line said be Kehinde, “I therefore thought we were of the same mind on the matter” (Page 84/ Line 21). This in itself proves that Albert had completely misled Kehinde into thinking that he would not opt for polygamy. If Albert had been for polygamy all this while Kehinde could have foreseen this and a relationship between the two may not have even been possible.
Truly this speaks volumes about Albert! But this isn’t about Albert! Moving on….
In the case of Kehinde she cannot be compare to any other Nigerian woman as her circumstances are very different. She is a Nigerian woman who spent most of her marriage in England where she knew equality existed and polygamy far from accepted. Had she lived in Nigeria all her life she would have been prepared for an event like this.
Concluding that in my opinion Kehinde's actions were completely justified!
Personally, I totally believe that Kehinde's actions were justified. After all, if my own husband had taken a second wife, I would probably react the same way. Kehinde may be an Igbo woman, however, she has spent years in London where things that are acceptable in Nigeria are not social norms in London. While she and her family were living in London, there was no sign or any hint from Albert that he ever wanted a second wife. So why is it strange that she was shocked? Also, when she was growing up, she never liked or reconciled herself to the idea of a polygamous family, as she was raised by her aunt, and then later spent her days in a boarding school run by nuns. Not the typical Igbo childhood. So, again, even though by race she is Igbo, her upbringing and her background does not truly reflect traditional Igbo culture, therefore she is not to be blamed for reacting in a very un-Igbo-like manner.
In my opinion, Kehinde clearly portrays the sociological and personal difficulties of welfare mothers in London, drawing heavily on her own personal experience. Thus, this made her rebellious, independent and a strong woman.
Kehinde left her successful career and her London home just to follow Albert to Nigeria, where he has been for a year. It was very unfortunate to Kehinde when she discovers that her husband had already tied a knot with another woman in Nigeria who is already pregnant by him despite the promises of monogamy when they were first married.
Kehinde then returned back to London and begins new life by herself and that proves her of being independent and strong to survive alone. She becomes strong enough to quiet the voice of her stillborn twin, who has spoken to her and influenced her actions throughout her life.
Moreover, once Kehinde tastes freedom, then she can't be expected to accept marital slavery again. This is what her new identity requires and she finds spiritual balance and reconciliation in following the urges of her new bicultural self.
Kehinde’s actions are very much justified due to the difficulties that she has faced in life.
Done by,
ARVESHAL KAUR A/P MEATH SINGH
A125251
Dear sir and friends,
I do believe that most of the readers might think that kehinde’s actions upon Albert and her reactions which against Igbo cultures are mostly justified.
However, I am strongly disagreeing with her actions due to some reasons.
Basically, at first she felt very upset when one of her friend leave her husband and she thought a wife should not did such actions which against their values and norms.
Besides, readers might think Albert actions marrying other women as wrong and it lead to the issue of women discrimination.
Nevertheless, do we ever realize that Albert is bounded with Igbo cultures where most men will have more than one wives. Thus, readers must be understood that Albert should have to marry other women not because of sexual matters or showing powers but because of the culture itself. I do think Albert has taken a right decision or else he will be called a deviant.
Frankly speaking, kehinde also somehow is ego because she might think she has better career and income than her husband. As for example, “when kehinde said “your house”, she was playing the role of the “good” Nigerian women. Conversely, when he said “our house”, he was being careful not to upset her. (Page 4 para. 8).
Thus, Albert always clear that their house is belongs to kehinde actually, but he never attempt to say that house is belong to him even he can do so because he is the house’s leader.
Her actions by leaving her children and sharing life with other man somehow can be said as revenge. If kehinde would not disobeyed and live with her husband in Nigeria she must has better life with her own husband and children. At first, she might think she was been discriminated and people surround her dislikes herself. But, this is due to her actions who being deviant and did not follow Igbo’s cultures.
Furthermore, as a Nigerian women, kehinde should obey her values even though she grew and living in London. She must be understood her own roots where she belongs too. Albert has invited her to settle down in Nigeria although he has married other women who more educated but still not forget her own cultures and traditions.
Mohd Hafiszudin Bin Mohd Amin
A126312
In my opinion, I think that Kehinde's action in this story is a normal action in our society. Every human being has their own rights in their life. We decide ourselves what we need and what kind of life that we want. We should not follow the ridiculous rules that the ancestors had made just because to satisfy them. In this modernization, we should think possitively, optimistically and rationally so that we can lead a better life. Kehinde needs a partner in her life as she makes friend with Michael Gibson. We have feelings towards all things so does Kehinde. Kehinde feels lonely without companion and her family and this makes she always talk to herself and has two different characters in one time. Actually, she is playing with her psychology. I think that Kehinde is a strong and independent woman because she can survive in other country and have a good job and a house of own. This give us a good lesson and teach us how to stand on our own legs without relying on anybody. Finally, I strictly object the culture that have been practise at Nigeria till now.
Lew Pui Ling
A125505
In my view,i personally think what Kehinde have done throughout the story is just to defence herself, to fight for her own right as a women and as a wife eventhough it is against the Igbo culture.If i were in Kehinde's place i might take the same actions as what she had done.But there are some of Kehinde actions that i don't really agree for example living her childrens and share her life with other men in London, actually eventhough she was not well treated by her husband and her other family members back in Nigeria but she still have to remember her own roots where she come from.
In my point of view,I think that Kehinde's action is right.Her action was a reflection by the crucial situation that she have to face after what her husband have done.Kehinde need to strive very hard for her future by working at the bank in London.Instead,I do agree with her action because as a women,I understand how hard our life is without men but we must be strong in order to go through the life alone.Besides that,she is a Nigerian women that against polygamy.Finally,Kehinde was really struggle for her life.
By,
Suhaili binti Mohd Noor
A125288
pity Kehinde...i really don't like Albert character in this story.I think Kehinde should do the same thing to Albert,so Albert will fell what Kehinde was feel when she Albert had new wife..why should women must be the victim of polygamy...At last of this story Kehinde should married with Micheal Gibson,so she does not feel lonely..Honestly i like the way of Kehinde was doing in this story.that was the women should do nowdays..but for me i really disagree with polygamy..say No to Polygamy...i hope i will never meet guy unfaithful like Albert...
Antalia Alois Poker
(A125358)
KEHINDE……
Hello everyone, I’m Gloria (A120090) and this is my opinion due to the question “Kehinde”. Kehinde is rebellious in the eyes of Nigerian society because she shows her disagreement with the ideas of polygamy of the society by behaving differently and tries to changes it within her actions and reactions in the story.
I believe that what Kehinde had done is to defense herself and it is totally justified! In this world, which women want to share their husband with another woman? None… women could share anything BUT not their husband! It is their life! None of us want to share our life with another person. Kehinde tries to against the norms of society when she rather go back to England when she knew and shocking that her husband gets another wife when she comes back to Nigeria, furthermore his new wife is pregnant. Besides, Albert has neglected her and even her children as well. In addiction, Albert sister badly treat her in Nigeria. Kehinde is fight for her own right, she decide to moved and go back to England. She realize, in Nigeria there is no longer space for her anymore.
In addiction, Kehinde is not a typically Igbo women because she is fully exposure to the western life when she live in England. She is a modern women. In England, she is not bound by the customs of an Igbo wife. She expects the individuality freedom and gender equality which she had at England compare to Nigeria. This awareness makes Kehinde react differently from other Igbo women. For example, Rike have much higher education from Kehinde but she does not have rebellious spirit because she truly typical Igbo women without expose to others norms.
Besides, by the nature Kehinde is a rebellious person. This could be or possibly because her twin and her mother died and she survive. She survives from the birth and she naturally became survival. When she grew up she had no mother and father to lead her and she is depend on herself. Kehinde is very different from the other lgbo women so we cannot expect that she will accept the discriminate system towards women. That all my thought..thank you.
KEHINDE……
Hello everyone, I’m Gloria (A120090) and this is my opinion due to the question “Kehinde”. Kehinde is rebellious in the eyes of Nigerian society because she shows her disagreement with the ideas of polygamy of the society by behaving differently and tries to changes it within her actions and reactions in the story.
I believe that what Kehinde had done is to defense herself and it is totally justified! In this world, which women want to share their husband with another woman? None… women could share anything BUT not their husband! It is their life! None of us want to share our life with another person. Kehinde tries to against the norms of society when she rather go back to England when she knew and shocking that her husband gets another wife when she comes back to Nigeria, furthermore his new wife is pregnant. Besides, Albert has neglected her and even her children as well. In addiction, Albert sister badly treat her in Nigeria. Kehinde is fight for her own right, she decide to moved and go back to England. She realize, in Nigeria there is no longer space for her anymore.
In addiction, Kehinde is not a typically Igbo women because she is fully exposure to the western life when she live in England. She is a modern women. In England, she is not bound by the customs of an Igbo wife. She expects the individuality freedom and gender equality which she had at England compare to Nigeria. This awareness makes Kehinde react differently from other Igbo women. For example, Rike have much higher education from Kehinde but she does not have rebellious spirit because she truly typical Igbo women without expose to others norms.
Besides, by the nature Kehinde is a rebellious person. This could be or possibly because her twin and her mother died and she survive. She survives from the birth and she naturally became survival. When she grew up she had no mother and father to lead her and she is depend on herself. Kehinde is very different from the other lgbo women so we cannot expect that she will accept the discriminate system towards women. That all my thought..thank you.
in my personal point of view, i think the action that have been taken by Kehinde is the right action that every Nigerian women who have gone through the same situation should take. i srtongly agree with her action when she decided to leave Albert after she knew that he has been takev a second wife without her concern while she was lefted alone in Londan.
I also admirred her because she intended to fight against the polygamy society by her alone evevthou she is a Nigerian women and used to follow his husband wishes.It is really cruel when Albert use the rite as the leader of family to ask Kehinde to abort their third child.this is the complecated sitution for Kehinde when she cannot protect her own blood from being killed without giving a chance.
As in the other hand,the relationship that she had with Mr Gibson.....actually there is nothing wrong with that seems Albert not a good husband either loyal to Kehinde. As for me, it is a normal neccessary for every human beings to find a companien or partner to full fill their biological and mentally needs to share with.
I’m Thevakee (A118823), I would like to point out my opinions due to this question. In my point of view what Kehinde had do is just to defense her rights as a women. So that, I believe that her actions and reactions in this novel are justified. Kehinde is rebellious in the eye of Nigerian society because she goes against on the issue of polygamy which a man can have more than one wife. I strongly believe that what Kehinde had done is to defense herself. Every woman in this world surely won’t let her husband be shared by another woman. So, in this situation Kehinde feels the same. She was very shocked after knowing that her husband had married with another woman. To make the situation more worse, Kehinde saw her husband’s second wife was pregnant. This makes Kehinde very disappointed because when they were at London Albert asked Kehinde to abort the baby with the reason he can’t afford to look after the baby. Furthermore, when Kehinde came back to Nigeria she was treated badly by Albert’s sisters to not call her own husband’s name and they did not let Kehinde to sit beside Albert. Kehinde is a rebellious woman naturally, so she doesn’t like she is discriminated by others. In addition, even though Kehinde belongs to Ibo society but she is not a typical Ibo woman like Rike. Kehinde was brought up her aunt with the western environment. So, she prefers to be independent and not to be discriminated by men. She strongly believes that women should be given freedom and equal rights like men. As a conclusion, Kehinde is totally different from other Ibo society women who disagrees the issue of polygamy and the discrimination of women. So, all her actions in this novel are justified.
Peoples tend to see things in their own eyes. I mean, their own cultural values. We ignored there are cultural differences. We are students from SKBS 1023, as Malaysians who uphold the basis of individualism and liberty. To us, what Kehinde have done is all right.she's fight for her rights...she's doing what normally women will do...BUT, it's not the same for the Igbo society in Nigeria. We must not forget, Kehinde lived in London for 18 years, she's more British than Nigerian. Lagos, where everyone; old or young, rich or poor, men or women, accept the practice of polygamy. That's what culture is, a consensus of society.For Kehinde, a Londoner who obeys the laws that criminalized polygamy, Lagos is not a place for her. For Lagos, Kehinde is not for them, she's ominous, she's norm breaker. We justify what Kehinde have done just simply by our own cultural values. What Kehinde have done can't be measure in any empirical way. There was no right or wrong, black or white, false or truth; it's just about what cultural context you uses to fit the world in. KEHINDE is not a love story, Buchi Emecheta won't gave you love story, African writers won't gave you love story; it's a cultural story. It's differences of cultures made who we are and how we see the world.
-A 125545
I want to make a comment on comment. Our beloved Hafiszudin (a.k.a. Adam) have said that Kehinde is not obeying her culture. Yes, his statement is not wrong. But, the question is: Should a British obeying the culture of Nigeria? As I said earlier, Kehinde is "not" an Igbo. Ms.Emecheta hinted that as she designed Kehinde as a part of twins. In Nigeria, Igbo society practice twins killing. That means Kehinde is not an Igbo from the moment she was born , because she was already " sentenced to death", she was died in the eyes of the Igbo peoples.How come Kehinde should obey the Igbo culture? We may feel that Kehinde is too strong when dealing with Albert, because Kehinde is a 100% British!We know the name of Margaret Thatcher, the British PM, but do you know the name of Mr. Thatcher without open the Wikipedia? My message is, we can justify Kehinde by putting her in a culture that she's belong to. It's right for Kehinde to leave Lagos, it's her freedom to choose what culture she's belongs to.
Actually I would regard Kehinde as an independent woman and she has her own thought. Maybe in the eyes of Nigerian society, she is a rebel, she went against the norms of the traditional Igbo society, but does she really a rebel?? Every woman has their own right in saying yes or no. For Kehinde, she also has the right in making her own decision. She decide to leave her husband, to move back London, where she could do what she likes. At London there, she has her own job and the custom, which is the most comfortable for her. She accepted the Igbo customs, there is polygamy system, once she knows that Albert, her husband taken a second wife, she’s been very shocked because she thinks her husband would be different from other Nigerian men, but in fact he is still Nigerian man at all. She learns that her husband could probably take another third, fourth wives. This can be proved through the conversation between her and Rike (Albert’s second wife). Besides, she also knows that Nigerian women have to do something, but not stay at home. Hence, it is nothing for her to care about, her both children are all grown up and she is decided to go back London. At the time when she going back to London, there is nobody there, because you (Kehinde) have shamed us, said Ifeyinwa on behalf the people. But she don’t think she has done anything wrong, she tells Ifenyiwa that being without Albert in London, she will be free to decide what to do with her money( page 105). Her action might be different from what the Nigerian people aspect her to be. Kehinde does not want wasting time in Nigerian and doing nothing, hence I would say that is a wised decision. I would say that she understand the custom there, and accepting the facts. She is not what the nigerian people thinks..
In my opinion, Kehinde's action in this novel is justified. In Igbo culture women have rights to take their own decision moreover the married women. However Kehinde come out from this culture and manage to live by her own without her husband. Albert, her husband married to other women without Kehinde's knowledge. Kehinde manage to face this struggle by taking her own decision to go back to London and start a new life. Kehinde's action is simply fair and Kehinde should be a role model for every woman in the world.
Kehinde is a representation of woman who seeks for justice and self-defense after being through all the obedient toward the patriarchal power. As an Ibo woman, she is expected to hold the culture bearer where she is supposed to comply with the tradition and the society's expectation on her. After being away from her motherland, education, experienced and new culture turned her to be more aggressive and independent. Albert could not take it into consideration as it against his authority and his cultural expectation. His decision to go back to Nigeria is one of his mission to regain his pride after being taken away by the Western culture. When he founds out what he had lost, then Kehinde realized after all the sacrifices that she had give to the family are nothing to the culture. Sometimes, when I read throughout the story, as I flip throughout the pages I can found a reflection of myself in Kehinde. Is this what the culture expected us as woman to be? Obey, submissive yet in the end we are being eliminated. Whats wrong of being independent? Whats wrong of being outspoken and equal?Kehinde fights all this query with her dignity and leave us woman something to look back in future.
In my point of view, I think that Kehinde is doing the right thing. Everyone of us should have our own principle and respect. Instead, everyone of us should be treated equally but not according to the tradition and society. As we know, as we are moving along with the modern society, it is udeniable to say that we should learn to grow as well, if we keep practicing the old tradition and culture, there is no doubt that maybe we cannot get along with the modern society and we cannot prosper ourselves. Just like Kehinde in the story, she is fighting according to her right and she knows that she has the right to fight against some norms and tradition of the society because she knows that she deserves a better treatment especially she learn to understand the status of the women in the Ibo society. WE cannott say that she is the rebel of the society. However, did the Ibo society concern about their rights. Of course i did not say that we should always fight according to our rights and ignore the old practices or tradition. Instead, we should absorb the right things and improve the areas that we should improve. Most importantly, we should live as a happy community but not the community that traet all the people unfairly...
NICHOLAS ( A120585 )
In my opinion, why is kehinde was a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society, this is because kehinde is the only one women who are standup for her own right and her own freedom. She against the norms of the society is not because she doesn’t like the tradition but as a women she have the right decide what is the best for her own future. What I can say form her action and reaction, when she found out the her husband Albert has marriage with the another’s women kehinde was very up sad. She didn’t expect the her husband will take another’s women she expect that her husband was difference from any other’s Nigerian man.
In addiction, what I know that kehinde did not accept the polygamy sistem in the ibo tradition and she really love her husband and she think that she can’t share her love with other’s women, furthermore his new wife was pregnant. Besides, her husband Albert did not care and neglected her and their children as well.
Other than that, what was lead to kehinde action this is because she has been exposure to the western life, custom, culture and this has mixed into her own life and this make her learn the individual freedom and gender equality when she was live in England. The as what has write in the novel, kehinde decide to go back England and start the new life because there was nothing she can do if she continue to stay at Nigerian, she has lost his family she lost her husband, love and the happiness they gain while they live in England. This is clearly justified kehinde actions why she behave and react as what the society think that she was a rebel who are against the norms of the tradition ibo society.
For me , I'm quite satisfied with the end of the story ,KEHINDE. She makes a good decision on leaving her husband and a country which womans have no right to say anything when their husband get a second wife.. Yet, how can a womans accept the truth when they realized they have to share their husband with others ? In this modern generation i bet all the girls will make the same ways as Kehinde did at the last too... although Kehinde born in Nigeria but i strongly agree she has the right to choose what culture she prefer...
~A125351~
Kehinde is a western education Nigeria woman. She is an independent woman. She gains more income than her husband, Albert, when they stay in London. When she knew Albert has taken a second wife in Nigeria, she really can’t accept it although she knows that happens all the time in Ibo society. She didn’t expect Albert will take a second wife because she feels Albert is different from other Nigeria man. She wonders how Albert can change so fast. When she back Nigeria, she longed the freedom in London. Kehinde decided to leave Nigeria, to a lead a life on her own in London. She doesn’t want to depend on Albert. Besides, she has relationship with Michael Gibson. That may be a rebellion on Albert. Through all her reaction, we can see clearly that how she went against the norm of Ibo society.
Kehinde is a western education Nigeria woman. She is an independent woman. She gains more income than her husband, Albert, when they stay in London. When she knew Albert has taken a second wife in Nigeria, she really can’t accept it although she knows that happens all the time in Ibo society. She didn’t expect Albert will take a second wife because she feels Albert is different from other Nigeria man. She wonders how Albert can change so fast. When she back Nigeria, she longed the freedom in London. Kehinde decided to leave Nigeria, to a lead a life on her own in London. She doesn’t want to depend on Albert. Besides, she has relationship with Michael Gibson. That may be a rebellion on Albert. Through all her reaction, we can see clearly that how she went against the norm of Ibo society.
Name: Lim Yan Sing
Matric Number: A119323
In the eyes of Nigerian Society, Kehinde really is rebel. She against their culture and never practise it. She also can not accept polygamy. why she will react this way because is she never lived in a polygamous family and she live in London with Albert and both children almost fifteen years. She already adapt the ife in London which man and woman have an equal status. She never counted on Albert will take on another wife. Albert suddenly decided to move back to Nigeria where man have a high status at there. Albert had left Kehinde alone in London for two years and he taking on a second wife without inform Kehinde. When Kehinde go back to Nigeria only realise that her husband marry with another woman and have another two children. She have not prepare for sharing her husband with another woman. She feel that she is a starnger in Nigeria and what she sacrifice for her family is nothing at there. She decide to leave for London although she had lost her job in ank and her family. She feel disappointed and believe in her that she is strong enough to live alone in London. For me, what she did is right and not a rebel because she just fight for what she wants and the authority for a woman and also escape for a patriachal society.
after reading all the other comments posted, i reckon Kehinde's actions has been fairly justified already. In the novel, we do not see only the rebellious side of Kehinde, the reason that it was a struggle for her is because she do care about the role an Igbo woman should play. Otherwise, she wouldn't respect her husband's selfish wish to abort the child or go through the trouble of changing 'clothes ten times as rich men's wives did in Nigeria', 'to boost the ego of the man of the house' for Albert's farewell party.. Most of all, the Nigerian woman in her can be found from the negative judgment she had towards Mary. She obeyed Albert's abrupt decision to return to Nigeria while she stayed back. She did indeed put in effort for the marriage and being the Igbo wife she should be.
Yet, it wasn't appreciated by Albert who was only desperate to reclaim his right as his father's heir and as the man in the house. Kehinde never could get herself to agree to polygamy and so did Albert. It was an understanding they both shared, they could converse with each other as equal companions until Albert's self esteem was challenged and he decided to break that mutual understanding or to say trust just so that he can feel like he is back in charge again. He could have told Kehinde the conflicts he was going through but it was too much for his ego. For Kehinde to return to Nigeria and finding out a new wife Albert never mentioned, I would say it is a betrayal of their marriage although an Igbo man has the right to wed more than a wife. Kehinde would never had chosen Albert as her spouse if she knew in the first place that he is a man who practices polygamy. Put aside the norms, the role of a Nigerian woman; in this case, Kehinde is simply unjustly treated as a person.
Maybe some women like Rike with a doctorate could conform but Kehinde clearly could not. Rike wasn't forced, she was more than willing to succumb to such position. It is only fair that Kehinde is given a chance to choose a path that she wishes for and one that is less suffocating for her. The kids are fine, Albert is fine, they didn't show a need for her. Why then should she allow herself to remain in a marginalized position? Why then should she stay back in Nigeria and withhold her own life for no reason? Take note that she never deny them, instead she made it clear that when they needed her, they are free to come to her and ask for her.
She did try to work out the marriage until Albert's behavior constantly proves to her that it is time for her to move on. She gave up her stable job and well established life for Albert and receive nothing in return. She had to start all over on her own. With a degrading job and being ill treated by the Arab. WIth this, I would say, the least she deserves is to have at least her actions justified, instead of being called as a rebel.
In my point of view, Kehinde is a rebellious woman to against her Ibo’s society culture. In this story, Kehinde try to avoid following the Ibo’s society traditional culture. So, it was framed that Kehinde is a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society. Normally, women not allowed their husband marry second wife. It was same that Kehinde feels when she knows that her husband have second wife. In addition, the shocked news that she heard is his second wife was pregnant. At the same time, at England Albert asked her to abort her baby because he not yet plans to get another baby. Moreover, at Nigeria Albert’s sister treated Kehinde badly. Albert’s sister ordered Kehinde does not treat Albert as her husband and do not sit near him. At this situation, Kehinde feels someone control her. Actually, she is a rebellious woman, and try to make it what was ordered by her sister in law. Finally, Kehinde feel to release from the Ibo society and goes back to England. Yet this story justify that Kehinde action and reactions in the novel “Kehinde” shows that she never like to follow the Ibo society traditional culture in her life.
Hi Sir,
I’m Siti Zulaiha bte Bassaro. I’d like to share my thoughts regarding to your question on your blog. But before that, I’ve a question that is wondering in my mind, being a rebel on something, should it be looking from negative side or positive side? Sometimes people tend to think that being a rebel is to protest on something that is fixed for her where the person is not satisfied with. This situation will ultimately bring negative perception of the society toward the people who break their rules. My personal opinion is, people can practice their tradition as long as there is no discrimination among them. Besides, they must know which the best for them. Each person must have their own individual aspiration, but due to the communal expectations she has to fulfill it and ignore their own dream. This situation happen to Kehinde, a Nigerian woman who lives in England.In the beginning of the story, Kehinde is a woman who has everything in her life. She has her husband, her children and also her great job in a bank. But due to the patriarchal oppression she has to obey everything that has been asked to. Even from aborting the baby, she is willing to do. But her husband Albert, never look this as her big sacrifice as he married another woman when he comes back to his motherland. When Kehinde quit her job and comes back to Nigeria, it is also another sacrificial thing that she has done. Her only intention is to meet with her husband and children as she really missed them. But what she gets after come back? Only the upset feeling filling in her heart, her husband married another woman and the family treatment as well as the society not like before. She has to share her husband with another woman. Maybe it is ok with her if the husband treats her equally and still loves her like before. But everything has changed after they moved to Nigeria. From the bitterness that she has faced in her life, she has build up her new life by her own by moving back to England. Even though she has to start from the beginning, she has gone through it successfully as she faced it patiently. Perhaps because of this, she has been look as a rebel towards her society as she left her husband. I think it is not a mistake for a woman like Kehinde to do that, because all she knows is to find justice in her life. Women can be rebel if their rights are denied. I love the strong spirit in Kehinde because she has showed that women are no weakness.
In my opinion, kehinde was a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society, because kehinde is the only one women who are standup for her own right and her own freedom.She don’t really want to be a puppet through her life. She against the norms of the society is not because she doesn’t like the tradition but as a women she have the right decide what is the best for her own future.In this story she seems to have her own struggleness that she have to voice out so that she will be a resemblance to other igbo women. when she found out the her husband Albert has marriage with the another’s women kehinde was very up sad and she felt that the whole world that she image is just collapse like that after her husband been a polygamy and betrayed herself.This make her to make a turning poin in her life to live her life alone;separated from his husband, and yet this make her so independent which is normally not entertaint and welcome by the igbo society.
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kehinde become more self confident and not rely to Albert becourse she has been exposure to the western life, custom, culture and this has mixed into her own life and this make her learn the individual freedom and gender equality when she was live in England. The as what has write in the novel, kehinde decide to go back England and start the new life because there was nothing she can do if she continue to stay at Nigerian, she has lost his family she lost her husband, love and the happiness they gain while they live in England. This is clearly justified kehinde actions why she behave and react as what the society think that she was a rebel who are against the norms of the tradition ibo society.
Kehinde is a Nigerian women and the novel is about her, who went against the norms of the traditional Ibo society. So she become as a rebel in the eyes of the Nigerian society. In my point of view, what Kehinde did is acceptable and defensible. Each person has their own rights and feelings in their life. We the one who suppose to decide the life we want to live and what we need in our life. We should not follow the rules of culture that not satisfy us or giving negative decision to us. Throughout reading the whole novel I get to know that Kehinde was faced a lot of problems in her life and she suffer a lot. So what she did is must be categorized or say as she shield herself or her action to get her freedom in her life. Kehinde is really a strong women where she can continue her life without base on others and especially on her husband. For example, when she get to know that Albert had taken his second wife, she did not react like other Igbo woman, such as crying or as totally lost their life or no mean live a life without their husband. After her husband leave her, Kehinde feels lonely without companion and her family. Kehinde needs a partner in her life and so she makes friend with Michael Gibson. Kehinde is a strong and independent woman because she can survive in other country and have a good job and a own house. Base on the information in this story, Nigerian's culture is totally against the woman's right. Besides that, the Igbo women live their life for their husband and not for themselves except Kehinde. They too don't have their own rights to make decision in their life base on their own wish. But is the first Nigerian women who did what she think is right for her. She dare to fight against the Igbo culture. Finally, I would like to say that each women must refer to Kehinde when their life is in dilemma.
By,
SARASWATHI A/P BALAKRISHNAN (A120511)
Joel Alexander
In my view, yes she is the rebel in Nigerian perspective in feminism, culture and Ibo society. She breaks the entire rule and norms of her culture without hesitated. However, there is one thing missing here that we cannot misjudge here. Kehinde is a woman that married to an Ibo man Albert and she has long left Nigeria since she married. Culture between Nigeria and England was far different to compare with, Kehinde has migrated to England and starting to adapts, have education and face new culture she’s beginning to loves Englan. After several years lived together with Albert and have child while pregnant to Albert baby suddenly he ask for her to have a second wife, in England polygamy was not a common norm that would be accept by the society. She strictly insists of her husband will because she never thought that Albert would practiced polygamy as the Ibo society but finally her husband left her. She went back to Nigeria and facing back to her society but as the result, she was treated very badly. Now, she goes back to England then sits for good. This shows that, the conflicts within herself to resist the Ibo society and escaping from the society to change her life as a new person who would freely make on her life decision and what she wants to be.
By,
JOel McClain Alexander
(A112048)
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