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“Female Identity and the Dynamics of Culture in Selected African Women-Authored Novels”

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“Female Identity and the Dynamics of Culture in Selected African Women-Authored Novels” “FEMALE IDENTITY AND THE DYNAMICS OF CULTURE IN SELECTED AFRICAN WOMEN-AUTHORED NOVELS” Ph. D Thesis By Ofure Odede Maria AITO (MAT. NO.: 909009072) B.A. (Hons.) (English and Literary Studies), Ekpoma, PGD. (Mass Comm.), Lagos, M.A. (Literature), Lagos Department Of English Faculty of Arts University Of Lagos Akoka November, 2010 ii Dedication This work is dedicated to my mother, Lenient Azekhumen Aito and women like her And In loving memory of my father, Late Godfrey Iyere Aito, my guide on the “Path” iii Abstract The notion that women are subsumed and subjugated by male-devised social structures informs the concern of this study entitled “Female Identity and the Dynamics of Culture in Selected African Women-Authored Novels.” The notion enables this investigation of the interplay of identity, gender and culture and in the light of recent debates by many women and men (including Western critics) about how women can be granted equality with men in all human relations. This study investigates the complex nature of identity in the context of perceptions of women in traditional and modern societies. Time and space (location and period) as well as notions of enslavement, liberation, rebellion, negotiation, womanism, and complementarity are shown to be central cultural issues in the realisation of female identity. Women‟s narratives from different places and even eras of African histories/experiences, politics and cultures have been critically analysed using Gynocriticism, a feminist theory by Elaine Showalter, to demonstrate women writer‟s perspectives into identity and cultural determinants. Biology, linguistics, psychology and other cultural issues underscore the women writers‟ narrative insights. The writers are shown to focus on communalism and complementarity in the analysis of their thematic interests. This study reveals how identity, sexuality and sensuality are conditioned by the dynamics of culture, gender, tradition and modernity. Eight representative narratives by six African women writers, defined by specific locations (four regions), have been explored to show that identity is not static concept, but progressive in representing the evolution of female identity in Africa. Culture-specific issues are of distinct significance to women in each of the region – West, North, South and East. The issues that affect female identity in Africa have been presented in three sections of the study. Part One examines various arguments or definitions of identity. It also accommodates the Literature Review, Theoretical Framework and Methodology. Part Two presents the iv analyses of the selected novels. It focuses on portrayals of identity from four regions of Africa. It interrogates how women are perceived (and how they perceive themselves) in each zone. Part Three presents the findings of the study and conclusion. v Acknowledgements I am grateful to God for the knowledge, wisdom and understanding he granted me to complete this study. I walked the “path” some “angels” feared to tread. This is my attestation of tears, struggle, hope and audacity. I sincerely thank my supervisors, Professor Karen King-Aribisala and Professor Theodora Akachi Ezeigbo, who are tutors and mentors. Their presence in my life has impacted positively on this work. During this study, we developed a relationship that transcends scholarship and mentorship into a friendship, sisterhood and kinship. I am indebted to many other people for the success of this research, most especially Professor Frederick. B.O. Akporoboro for his scholarly advice, Professor A. E. Eruvbetine, and Dr. Hope Eghagha with whom I have established great friendship. My indebtedness is further extended to all my friends and colleagues with whom I have established scholarly bonds. These include Dr. Patrick Oloko, who never objected to intrusions into his time schedule and especially during the last stage of this work; and Dr. Oko Okoro, who at a time when I wanted to “run” counselled and encouraged me to complete this research. I also appreciate the following people in the Department of English: Dr. Biodun Adeniji and Dr Edwin Onwuka, who were willing to read my drafts; Prof Segun Awonusi, Prof. Timothy Asobele, Dr. Adeyemi Daramola, Dr. Chimdi Maduagwu, Dr. Harry Olufunwa, Dr. Ben Nweke, Dr. Michael Ogbeidi, Dr. Abu Momoh, Dr. Bose Afolayan, Mrs ‟Wande Ntekim-Rex, Dr. Felicia Owhovoriole, Mrs Josephine Ogbonna and Miss Rose Ekwenna. I appreciate Dr. Tonia Yakubu for her motivation, prayers and supportive contributions to this work. To Dr. Ekeata Isibor, I give thanks for being a pillar of strength to me. I also appreciate all the support and prayers of my students both at the University of Lagos, Akoka and vi Covenant University, Ota. I must also mention Mr Gbenga Adefarakan for his encouragement and support. I acknowledge some of the financial grants I received in the course of this research. They include: the Graduate Assistant Fellowship grants of the University of Lagos, Akoka (1999- 2002), the Centre for Development and Research grant (CDR, 2001), and the United States of America: SUSI Fulbright Fellowship grant (2007). To all my friends, I say thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support. They include: Surgeon Tunji Idowu, Dr. Adeleke Fakoya, a brother, friend, confidant and everything wrapped up in one beautiful package. I am indebted to you for your contributions and invaluable support and encouragement. Dr. Kehinde Ayoola, I say thank you for reading this work. Prof. Ibrahim Bello-Kano and Malam Ibrahim Mu‟azzam of B.U.K; Prof. and Mrs James Katende, thank you. Special thanks to my priests for their intercessory prayers. These include: Rev. Fathers Kelechi Egonu, Dr. Chioma Nwosu, Tom Macauley, Ed. Debany, Martin Aitsebaomo, Uwem Akpan and Rev. Brother Domino Suleiman. Other important friends who trusted and encouraged me over the years are Mrs. Funmi Elutilo, Grandma Coker, Mrs Akarah, Dr. Medina Yerima, Pat Ofili, Kate Obotie, Eric Osifo, Brownson Ekpe, Kalu Nwakwe, Akeem, Sir Bertrand Nzekwe, Igwe Peter Onuorah, and Mr. B. A. Osasona and many others. I also thank David and Israel, my typists for their patience. Finally, my love and gratitude go to my family, my great cheerleaders, for their encouragement, motivation and unflinching support. These are my mother, Mrs Lenient Azehkumen Aito, Arch Moses Aito and family, Engr. Ine Aito and family (who initiated the journey), Dayo Aito and family, Ireho, Alu, Ayobami, Oluwatamilore and Oluwadurotimi. I equally appreciate posthumously Prof. Campbell S. Momoh, Prof. Biodun Adetugbo, Dr. Emmanuel A. Babalola and Dr. Dipo Alo for their contributions and support. vii Table of Contents Pages Title Page ………………………………………………………………………………. i Certification ……………………………………………………………………………. ii Dedication ……………………………………………………………………………… iii Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………… iv-v Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………….......... vi-vii Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………........ viii Chapter One Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 1-39 Chapter Two Emerging Female Identity: A Womanist Perspective in Efuru and One is Enough ........................................................................................................…………… 40-97 Chapter Three Countering Invisibility through Deviance in Woman at Point Zero and Wounding Words: A Woman Journal in Tunisia ..................…………………………………………. 98-164 Chapter Four Deconstructing and Redefining the Past in When Rain Clouds Gather and A Question of Power …………………………………………………………………………….. 165-222 Chapter Five Beyond Today: Redefining Self and Difference in The Promised Land and The Sacred Seed .............................................................................................……………………… 223-284 Chapter Six Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………… 285-300 Appendix ………………………………………………………………………….. 301-303 Works Cited ………………………………………………………………………. 304-324 viii Chapter One Introduction The thesis “Female Identity and the Dynamics of Culture in Selected African Women-Authored Novels” studies the interplay between gender and identity in selected narratives of Flora Nwapa, Nawal el Sadaawi, Evelyn Accad, Bessie Head, Grace Ogot and Rebeka Njau. It examines how culture shapes and defines gender issues within the womanist concept of complementarity which reveals how women writers negotiate their identity within cultural precepts. In this instance, literature can be regarded as an additional space for the exploration of gender relations and sexual difference; the means by which female identity issues can be reconstituted. Culture thus becomes a major defining variable of identity for the individual woman writer. However, it is „apriori‟ because it keeps evolving as a result of the contemporary changes in the society and the individual. The thesis investigates various representations of female identity within cultural complexities and differences in the four regions of the continent. Background to the Study There is a gradual global resurgence of identity politics as a result of widening nationalist consciousness of the right to be different. This resurgence of identity awareness, often interpreted culturally, politically, and biologically, also results from increasing literary knowledge. According to Charles Calhoun in Social Theory and the Politics of Identity, identity studies, particularly in relation to women, citizenship, boundaries and development, have generated complex interpretations and extensive research that seek to facilitate closer understanding of the evolutions and specifics
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