DEPICTION OF NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR’S EFFECT ON FAMILY STRUCTURE: A STUDY OF CHINELO OKPARANTA’S UNDER THE UDALA TREES

Literature reflects society by preserving lived experiences, making it a tool for understanding historical events such as the Nigerian Civil War. Previous studies on Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Trees have examined sexuality, homophobia, nationhood, and religion, with little attention on the effects of the war on family structures. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate how the Nigerian Civil War affects family structures in the novel, to examine the individual emotional responses to war trauma, to explore patterns of adaptation within families as they cope with civil war challenges, and to highlight resilience and coping mechanisms. This study applies Judith Herman’s Trauma Literary Theory because of its emphasis on relational trauma and recovery stages. A qualitative method is adopted, with close reading of the text supported by secondary sources. Data analysis follows thematic interpretation based on trauma theory. Findings reveal that the war shatters family bonds, alters traditional roles, and causes long-term emotional distress. Papa’s denial and resignation end in his death, Mama’s grief and anger lead to emotional distance and rigid religiosity, while Ijeoma experiences feelings of abandonment and identity conflict. Families adopt adaptive measures such as emotional withdrawal, relocation for safety, and religious coping. However, these adaptations often create further emotional strain. The narrative also shows resilience, as characters gradually reconnect and reclaim agency, challenging the view that war’s impact is wholly destructive. This study concludes that the Nigerian Civil War reshapes family structures and identities through trauma, loss, and adaptation.