Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Erhabor Emokpae's Adam and Eve has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Despite the volume of criticism devoted to Adam and Eve, its use of textile motifs in relation to gender representation has not been exhaustively examined, leaving room for closer textual analysis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Erhabor Emokpae's Adam and Eve is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its textile motifs functions specifically in relation to gender representation. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of textile motifs in Erhabor Emokpae's Adam and Eve.
2. To analyze how textile motifs contributes to the portrayal of gender representation.
3. To assess the effectiveness of textile motifs 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 textile motifs used in Erhabor Emokpae's Adam and Eve?
2. In what ways does textile motifs contribute to the portrayal of gender representation?
3. How effective is textile motifs 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 fine and applied arts, offering a close reading of Erhabor Emokpae's Adam and Eve 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 textile motifs within Adam and Eve, reflecting a clearly defined scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.