Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Buchi Emecheta's The Famished Road has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Despite the volume of criticism devoted to The Famished Road, its use of characterization in relation to cultural conflict has not been exhaustively examined, leaving room for closer textual analysis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Buchi Emecheta's The Famished Road 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 Buchi Emecheta's The Famished Road.
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 Buchi Emecheta's The Famished Road?
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 Buchi Emecheta's The Famished Road 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 Famished Road, reflecting a BSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.