Religion

The theme of religion weaves throughout the novel to challenge the power of biology and to emphasize the themes of seeing is believing and deception. Adebayo uses a combination of Yoruba and Christian traditions and beliefs to paint a religious tapestry for the reader, while challenging the power of biology and science. Set in the developing country of Nigeria, and facing ongoing political hardship, the theme of religion forces the characters and the reader to confront the old and the new, and decide which will explain their lives and decisions.

Religion is what persuades Yejide to believe she is pregnant after visiting the prophet, and this belief prompts Akin to ask his brother to help them conceive. Her strong yet false belief makes Akin think “End all the crazy visits to priests and prophets once and for all” (57). Though he knows he cannot impregnate her himself...