Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Joys of Motherhood has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of The Joys of Motherhood tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with irony as a stylistic device in service of gender and identity receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Joys of Motherhood is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its irony functions specifically in relation to gender and identity. 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 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Joys of Motherhood.
2. To analyze how irony contributes to the portrayal of gender and identity.
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 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Joys of Motherhood?
2. In what ways does irony contribute to the portrayal of gender and identity?
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 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Joys of Motherhood 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 The Joys of Motherhood, reflecting a BSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.