How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Her love and duty for her children were like her chain of slavery. (15.148)
Nnu Ego begins to realize that she is a slave, a willing slave, perhaps, but a slave nonetheless.
Quote #8
The arrival of her new twin daughters had a subduing effect upon Nnu Ego. She felt more inadequate than ever. Men—all they were interested in were male babies to keep their names going. But did not a woman have to bear the woman-child who would later bear the sons? "God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody's appendage?" she prayed desperately. "After all, I was born alone, and I shall die alone. What have I gained from all this? Yes, I have many children, but what do I have to feed them on? On my life. I have to work myself to the bone to look after them, I have to give them my all. And if I am lucky enough to die in peace, I even have to give them my soul. They will worship my dead spirit to provide for them: it will be hailed as a good spirit so long as there are plenty of yams and children in the family, but if anything should go wrong, if a young wife does not conceive or there is a famine, my dead spirit will be blamed. When will I be free?"
But even in her confusion she knew the answer: "Never, not even in deaths. I am a prisoner of my own flesh and blood. Is it such an enviable position? The men make it look as if we must aspire for children or die. That's why when I lost y first son I wanted to die, because I failed to live up to the standard expected of me by the males in my life, my father and my husband—and now I have to include my sons. 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." (15.152-153)
Nnu Ego realizes that motherhood is slavery, and that she will never be free of it.
Quote #9
"But I don't understand it. Why were they all laughing at me? Was I saying the wrong things? Things surely have changed, but Nnaife still owns us, does he not?"
"I'm afraid even that has changed. Nnaife does not own anybody, not in Nigeria today. But, senior wife, don't worry. You believe in the tradition. You have changed a little, but stood firm by your belief."
"Try to forgive my condemning your leaving Nnaife when you did. I am beginning to understand now." (18. 82-84)
Nnu Ego and Adaku have an important conversation, where Nnu Ego admits that she is beginning to understand that the traditional way of life, where a husband owned his wife, may not be the best way.