Lesbian existence comprises both the breaking of a taboo and the rejection of a compulsory way of life.

This characterization and trope is grounded in Adrienne Rich’s (1996: 136) essa圜ompulsive Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence where Rich argued that This is readily apparent in the characterization of her lesbian protagonist Ijeoma who has set her mind to always believe that “ special man friend was the last thing on mind” (137) but will always cherish her bonding with Amina and Ndidi and eventually forego her marriage and family just to be with Ndidi her lesbian partner even though in the society, women are made taboo to other women not just in sex but in comradeship too.

She did in a creatively new way what lesbian and radical feminists have been up and about trying to deconstruct- the omnipotence of the phallus (man) in any hetero-patriarchy. It reflects the different facets of love- sensual, unforgettable and dangerous. Under the Udala Trees is a humane account of a tongueless love that dares not speak in African society, an unconventionally truthful narrative of a love- innocent and young between Ijeoma and Amina which is cut up with demeaning stares and accusing fingers. She has a masterful description of Nigeria during the civil war and her gory images of war are almost as frightening as her theme. Her first novel Under the Udala Treesis remarkably devoid of most of the avoidable errors that many first time novels emerge in- stunning, witty, bewitchingly manipulative and still yet simple little wonder Under the Udala Trees has become a favorite amongst most literature lovers in 2017. Matter of fact, Chinelo Okparanta made her debut in a grand and impactful way and her memories will go a long way in African literary history. Some literatures only come around once in a lifetime and when they arrive, they make the best use of their advent and leave the readers more enlightened, the world more habitable and our differences tolerable. I have nothing against the penis, it’s the life support system that comes with it which I object to.

Under the udala trees sparknotes