Draft:His only wife

His only wife

Author	Peace Adzo Medie
Country	Ghana
Language	English
Genre	Prose
Publisher	Algonquin Books
Publication date	September 1,2020
Pages	288
ISBN	978-1-61-620915-5

His only wife is a novel written by Peace Adzo Medie and published by Algonquin books in 2020.The story is told from Afi's point of view, and we see her adjust to a new culture when she moves into one of Eli's houses. "His Only Wife" is a captivating, insightful and emotional debut novel about a courageous young woman facing the difficulties of modern life with its rules and unfairness.

Plot

Afi Tekple is a young seamstress whose life is becoming more limited. She lives in a small Ghanaian town with her widowed mother and often stays with her uncle Pious, who has many wives and children. Then, one day, she gets a big opportunity—a marriage proposal from the wealthy family of Elikem Ganyo, a man she doesn’t really know. She agrees, but soon realises that Elikem isn't as wonderful as she thought. He sends someone else to marry her, and only weeks after they're married and living in a fancy apartment in Accra, does she meet her actual husband. He's in love with another woman, whom his family doesn't approve of, and Afi is supposed to help win him back for them. But Afi ends up falling in love with Accra and finds a life of independence there that she never imagined.

Setting

The setting of "His Only Wife" is primarily in Ghana, with scenes taking place in both a small town where Afi lives with her mother and in the capital city of Accra, where she moves after marrying Elikem. The story also explores the cultural and social dynamics within Ghanaian society, including the expectations placed on women in marriage and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Themes

"His Only Wife" explores several themes that are central to the story and relevant to contemporary society in Ghana and beyond:

Women's Empowerment and Independence*: Afi's journey towards self-discovery and independence is a central theme of the novel. It explores the challenges women face in asserting their autonomy and pursuing their own dreams in a patriarchal society.

Social Class and Economic Disparity: The novel highlights the disparities between social classes in Ghanaian society, particularly through the lens of Afi's marriage to Eli, a wealthy man from a privileged background. It examines how class dynamics impact relationships and opportunities for individuals.

Gender Roles and Expectations: The novel challenges traditional gender roles and expectations, particularly through Afi's character. It explores the limitations placed on women and the importance of challenging societal norms to achieve personal fulfilment and empowerment.

Characters

Major Characters

• Afi: Afi is the protagonist of "His Only Wife," She's a young woman from Ghana who finds herself in a marriage she didn't choose. As she tries to figure out what she wants in life, she faces pressure from her family and society. Afi learns to stand up for herself and make her own decisions, even when it's difficult. She's a strong and determined person who grows a lot throughout the story.
• Elikem: Afi's husband, who marries her in absentia. His actions and family dynamics greatly influence Afi's life and decisions throughout the novel.
• Togã Pious: Afi's late father's oldest brother. He plays a significant role in the family and the wedding ceremony, representing traditional values and expectations.
• Mawusi: Tɔgã Pious's daughter and Afi's cousin.
• Aunty Faustina Ganyo: Eli's mother, whose approval of Afi's marriage to Eli is important to both families.
• Olivia: Afi's mother, who has strong opinions about family responsibilities and relationships..
• Slyvia: Afi's only aunt, who helps her family when they are forced to move out of their house.
• Evelyn:Richard’s girlfriend
• Evelyn:Richard’s girlfriend and Afi’s friend

Minor Characters

• Bright and Excellent: Afi's uncles, brothers of Tɔgã Pious. They are present at the wedding ceremony but have less prominent roles.
• Nancy: Afi's cousin who helps with the wedding preparations.
• Richard and Fred: Elikem's brothers, mentioned briefly in relation to his family.
• Daavi Christy: Mawusi's mother, who helps Afi's family when they are forced to move out of their house.
• Godsway and Godfred: Mawusi's brothers, mentioned briefly in relation to her family.
• Yaya:Elikem’s sister
• Yao: Mawusi's boyfriend
• Dodzi: Mawusi's oldest half-brother, mentioned as one of Afi's father's nephews who lived with them.
• Savior and Lucy:Workers in king’s court