Ghanaian Literature: The Marriage of Anasewa

Study Notes

"The Marriage of Anasewa" is a Ghanaian novel written by J.E. Casely Hayford in 1908.
The novel is considered one of the earliest and most influential works of Ghanaian literature.
It is a romance novel that explores themes of love, family, and cultural identity in colonial Ghana.

The story revolves around the marriage between Anasewa, a young Fante woman, and Ben Quartey, a wealthy and educated man from the coastal town of Cape Coast.
The novel explores the challenges they face in their relationship, including cultural differences, family opposition, and the influence of colonialism.

Love and relationships: The novel examines the complexities of romantic love and the challenges of maintaining relationships in a rapidly changing society.
Cultural identity: The novel explores the tensions between traditional Fante culture and the influence of Western values and education.
Colonialism: The novel touches on the impact of colonialism on Ghanaian society, including the erosion of traditional ways of life and the rise of a new elite class.

Anasewa: The protagonist, a young Fante woman from a rural town who is torn between her love for Ben Quartey and her family's opposition to their marriage.
Ben Quartey: A wealthy and educated man from Cape Coast who is Anasewa's love interest and represents the influence of Western values and education.

"The Marriage of Anasewa" is considered a pioneering work in Ghanaian literature, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and experiences of Ghanaians during the colonial period.
The novel's exploration of cultural identity, love, and relationships continues to resonate with readers today, making it a relevant and important work of African literature.

Written by J.E.Casely Hayford in 1908, "The Marriage of Anasewa" is a Ghanaian novel considered one of the earliest and most influential works of Ghanaian literature.
The novel is a romance that explores themes of love, family, and cultural identity in colonial Ghana.

The story centers around the marriage between Anasewa, a young Fante woman, and Ben Quartey, a wealthy and educated man from Cape Coast.
The novel examines the challenges they face in their relationship, including cultural differences, family opposition, and the influence of colonialism.

Love and relationships: The novel delves into the complexities of romantic love and the challenges of maintaining relationships in a rapidly changing society.
Cultural identity: The novel explores the tensions between traditional Fante culture and the influence of Western values and education.
Colonialism: The novel touches on the impact of colonialism on Ghanaian society, including the erosion of traditional ways of life and the rise of a new elite class.

Anasewa: The protagonist, a young Fante woman torn between her love for Ben Quartey and her family's opposition to their marriage.
Ben Quartey: A wealthy and educated man from Cape Coast who represents the influence of Western values and education.

"The Marriage of Anasewa" is a pioneering work in Ghanaian literature, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and experiences of Ghanaians during the colonial period.
The novel's exploration of cultural identity, love, and relationships continues to resonate with readers today, making it a relevant and important work of African literature.