What is the Love theme in the novel?

I do not see love as a theme in this novel. Throughout the novel, the audience is introduced to a variety of female characters. In observing the presences of these women, we begin to notice a variety of patterns and commonalities. Although the story is told from Odili's perspective, the narrator rarely includes direct quotes from the female characters. Instead, their opinions and perspectives are recounted in a way that understates their significance. Despite their intentional subordination, women remain an integral part of the plot. Specifically, they play an important role in Odili's personal trajectory.

The three most prominent women in the novel are Edna, Elsie, and Mrs. Nanga. Both Elsie and Edna serve as objects of conquest for Chief Nanga and Odili, respectively. While these women have families and careers, the story fails to delve into their interior lives. The intentional superficiality of their depictions leads the reader to see Odili, Chief Nanga, and other male figures as the story's only developed, fully-formed characters. Additionally, women are often blamed or made the scapegoats for the unfortunate circumstances in which many of the men find themselves. Odili witnesses this firsthand when he comments on Edna's passivity regarding her engagement. He sees the engagement as her fault, and he fails to consider how her social class and gender render her unable to oppose this decision. Edna astutely replies that "this is the world of women" (69), and Odili is forced to consider the subjugation of women and its pervasiveness in his society. The only woman that contests this restrictive view of femininity is Eunice, Max's wife. Odili observes the equality of her partnership and the way in which she wields her academic and professional power. Odili is slightly envious of Eunice, and we are prompted to consider how Odili's masculinity is threatened by the presence of a strong African woman.