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Gender Portrayal in Edufa and in the Chest of a Woman

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Gender Portrayal in Edufa and in the Chest of a Woman University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh GENDER PORTRAYAL IN EDUFA AND IN THE CHEST OF A WOMAN BY EMMANUEL BRIGHTMOORE NUGAH 10086955 THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL THEATRE ARTS DEGREE. DECEMBER, 2013. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I declare that except for the references that are well acknowledged, the entire work is carried out by me and has not been submitted to any other institution for award. .......................................... Brightmoore E. Nugah (10086955) Student Date: ............................. ................................. ..................................... Dr. Awo M. Asiedu Dr. Regina Kwakye-Opong Supervisor Supervisor Date: ....................... Date: ............................ i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION To God Almighty, for making things possible for me. Pastor Isaac T. Moly, for the fatherly counsel and prayer support. My wife: Susana Nugah (Mrs.), Children: Prince Brightmoore Nugah, Princess Faith Nugah and King James Kekeli Nugah, for the patience, understanding and encouragement. My parents: Mr. Michael Agbetsi Nugah and Theresa Addoh, for the endless support. All who have suffered Oppression, Suppression and Marginalisation of any sort, and all fighters for Freedom and Gender Equality, this work is humbly dedicated. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr. Awo Mana Asiedu- You have been my guiding angel. Dr. Regina Kwakye-Opong- You have been my light. Professor Martin Owusu, Dr. Agyemang Ossei, Rev. Dr. Asiamah, Mr. Africanus Aveh, Mr. Francis Gbormita, Mr. Sandy Arkurst, Ms. Roberta Gardiner and Miss Cecilia Adjei- You taught me well. Dr. Samuel Benagr- Your support and encouragement is very much appreciated, so will never be forgotten. Mr. Alfred Kunutsor- Your love and friendship gave me hope and for this I am grateful. Mrs. Akua Abloso- You were a blessing. The entire staff of Abibigromma Theatre Group, especially Mr. Ken Kafui the Artistic Director, Mary Ameko and Mrs. Olivia Addy- You guys have been a blessing. Pastor Frank Cudjo and Pastor Nathaniel Atsu Mensah- Your spiritual care is beyond measure. Mr. Benjamin Asante, Mr. Ernest Kwesi Amponsah, Bright Tefe, Rashida Seidu, Dzidudu Darkey Mensah, Miss Matilda Sowah, Mr. Agyemang Wettey, John Paul Asiedu, Solomon Dartey, Abdul Karim, Mr. Ernest Addo- You were of a great support. My brothers and sisters as well as the entire membership of Ahenfie (Royal Home) Baptist Church International- You were always there when I needed any physical or spiritual help. To you all I say, May God’s favour remain with you always and may your expectations never be cut off. GOD BE WITH YOU ALL! iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT This work examines gender portrayal in Edufa by Efua Theodora Sutherland and In the Chest of a Woman by Efo Kodjo Mawugbe both of whom are of blessed memory. It considers Sutherland as the mother of modern Ghanaian Drama and Mawugbe as an icon of Ghanaian Drama; assessing their contributions and achievements as playwrights and dramatists in Ghana. An in-depth analysis of the plays was carried out to ascertain the conflicts and messages imbedded in them. The study was based mainly on library materials including journals, articles, play texts, book of tributes and other relevant information on the playwrights. The investigation arrived at the conclusion that both Sutherland and Mawugbe witnessed male domination and female marginalisation in Ghana from the 1960’s. Both dramatists represented excellently the issue of gender imbalance in Ghana in their plays. They also encouraged female empowerment and the need for change in certain practices in society which tend to hinder progress. The on-going struggle against gender imbalance in society, especially in Ghana is undoubtedly reflected in the plays. The study also underscores some misconceptions and dangers that surround what gender represents. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page DECLARATION ....................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... v CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Objectives of the Study ........................................................................................................ 6 1.5 Justification of the Study ...................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................... 7 1.7 Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 8 1.8 Organisation of the Thesis ................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................... 10 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 10 2.2 Gender- General ................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 Gender as Performance ...................................................................................................... 17 2.4 Gender and Feminism ........................................................................................................ 19 2.5 Gender and Drama ............................................................................................................. 19 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.6 Gender in Ghana ................................................................................................................ 21 2.7 Gender and Violence in Ghana .......................................................................................... 29 2.8 Gender in Africa ................................................................................................................. 33 2.9 Working Definition of Gender ........................................................................................... 44 2.10 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 45 CHAPTER THREE: EFUA THEODORA SUTHERLAND AND GENDER PORTRAYAL IN EDUFA ...................................................................................................... 47 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 47 3.2 Summarised Biography of E. T. Sutherland ...................................................................... 47 3.3 Sutherland’s Achievements and Contributions to Drama and Theatre in Ghana .............. 48 3.4 Synopsis of Edufa .............................................................................................................. 53 3.5 Analysis of Gender Portrayal in Sutherland’s Edufa ......................................................... 54 3.6 Women as Subservient in Edufa ........................................................................................ 55 3.7 The Self-Centeredness of Some Men ................................................................................. 62 3.8 Conflicts and Themes ......................................................................................................... 70 3.9 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 77 CHAPTER FOUR: EFO KODJO MAWUGBE AND GENDER PORTRAYAL IN, IN THE CHEST OF A WOMAN ................................................................................................... 79 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 79 4.2 Kodjo Mawugbe’s Biography ............................................................................................ 79 4.3 Mawugbe’s Philosophy ...................................................................................................... 81 4.4 Synopsis of the Play ........................................................................................................... 83 vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 4.5 Analysis
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