Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Zainab Alkali's The Stillborn has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of The Stillborn tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with characterization as a stylistic device in service of cultural conflict receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Zainab Alkali's The Stillborn is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its characterization functions specifically in relation to cultural conflict. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of characterization in Zainab Alkali's The Stillborn.
2. To analyze how characterization contributes to the portrayal of cultural conflict.
3. To assess the effectiveness of characterization as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
4. To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How is characterization used in Zainab Alkali's The Stillborn?
2. In what ways does characterization contribute to the portrayal of cultural conflict?
3. How effective is characterization as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
4. How does this reading relate to the broader body of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to students and teachers of english language / literary studies, offering a close reading of Zainab Alkali's The Stillborn that can support classroom discussion and further critical work. It also contributes to the broader body of scholarship on Nigerian literary and linguistic studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to a close textual analysis of characterization within The Stillborn, reflecting a clearly defined scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.