Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

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

Existing criticism of Half of a Yellow Sun tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with irony as a stylistic device in service of political disillusionment receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Zainab Alkali's Half of a Yellow Sun is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its irony functions specifically in relation to political disillusionment. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of irony in Zainab Alkali's Half of a Yellow Sun.
2. To analyze how irony contributes to the portrayal of political disillusionment.
3. To assess the effectiveness of irony 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 irony used in Zainab Alkali's Half of a Yellow Sun?
2. In what ways does irony contribute to the portrayal of political disillusionment?
3. How effective is irony 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 Half of a Yellow Sun 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 irony within Half of a Yellow Sun, reflecting a MSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.