FEMINISM IN FLORA NWAPA’S ONE IS ENOUGH AND MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

The emergence of African female writers into the male dominated African literature is seen in the twentieth century which consequently brings a conscious art of feminist ideology.  Feminist on the other hand write for equality between men and women. Feminist movement is sometimes called the women’s liberation movement or women’s rights movement. This ideology is found on the need to develop a female tradition of creativity to create awareness on the plight of women as they are oppressed, deprived, subjugated and unfulfilled gender discrimination. This is the reason why female writers like Buchi Emecheta, Ama Ata Aido, Zaynab Alkali and Flora Nwapa and so on portrays in their writings about the stereotypic image of women and how women they are treated with less concern as an aspect of culture.

This consequently makes Catherine Acholonu says: Women should no longer be decorative accessories, objects to be moved about and companions to be flattered or claimed with promises by the men. They should see themselves as nation’s primary fundamental roots, from which all else grow and blossoms. Women must be encouraged to takes a keen interest in the destiny of the country.

On the other hand, feminist criticism proceeds from the assumption that “the history of all the societies is the history of male domination and exploitation of women. For instance, Sam Adewoye in his book The Role of Women in Traditional Literature feels that women are not given due recognition. He asserts that: “women suffered the strike of tragedy in the house of men and women do not want to accord them their due recognition.”

It is on this point background to this study aims at examining feminism in Flora Nwapa One is Enough and Mariam Ba So Long a Letter.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Flora Nwapa and Mariama Ba are feminist writers who have over the years have been writing about cultural discrimination against women and the inequality between men and women and how women have continually suffered many disadvantages. Their writings therefore advocates for women’s right in the society politically, operationally economically and socially without discrimination.

1.3 Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to examine feminism in Flora Nwapa’s One is Enough and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.  The study will also examine the response of other feminist writer’s on gender issues.

1.4       Significance of the Study

This work is significant to English and literature students and precisely to feminist students on how to contribute to eradicate the patriarchal domination and negative cultural practices in African societies affecting the women. The study will also be of significant to other researchers who study how African cultures affect the women.

1.5 Objectives of the Study

  The objectives of the study are:

i.          to understand the meaning of feminism and it origin in African literature.

ii.          to examine feminists aims of writing and why they seek for equality between  the men.

iii.         to investigate the contributions of African feminist writers in the African literary cannon.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The scope of this research work is delimited to feminism in Flora Nwapa’s One is Enough and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter.

1.7 Research Methodology

The major source for this writing is on Flora Nwapa’s One is Enough and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter. The secondary source of this work will be restricted to the library and the internet.

FEMINISM IN FLORA NWAPA’S ONE IS ENOUGH AND MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER

Originally posted on April 25, 2021 @ 10:06 pm