A Saidian Study of Emecheta's 'In the Ditch' and 'Second Class Citizen'

The aim of this work is to discuss the cultural problems of the African immigrants in the post-war Britain in the autobiographical immigrant novels written by Buchi Emecheta: In the Ditch (1972) and Second Class Citizen (1974) taking into consideration the philosophy of ‘Orientalism,’ which was introduced by Edward Said. Discussing the conflict between the African and the Western nations in terms of cultural values, Emecheta reflects the problems of the African in the post-war Britain in terms of cultural integration. In accordance with the hypothesis that the African experienced difficulties in the postcolonial Britain, especially in London while trying to adapt to the cultural and social norms in English society, this study portrays the identity problems, racial and cultural shock of the African in London and highlights these immigrants' struggles with the Londoners consistent with Said’s hypothesis ‘Orientalism.’ Therefore, this research deeply analyzes and problematizes the African origin of Emecheta and Said’s Palestinian background together with their experiences in the West to prove the invisible exercise of power struggles between the Westerners and the non-Westerners.