Visions of Womanhood in Contemporary African Literature

"Through an analysis of historical and contemporary literature, Visions of Womanhood in Contemporary African Literature argues that African women were not relegated to the background in African society until after colonization. Blessing Diala-Ogamba analyzes the history of women's roles in African society through oral stories and biographies to show how colonialization worked to oppress women in Africa and explores the ways contemporary African literature confronts and works to overcome its colonial past. Using works by authors such as Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo, Lilian Masitera, Nawal El Sadaawi, Lauretta Ncgobo, Sembene Ousmane, and many others, Diala-Ogamba reveals the consistent progression of women and their roles in African novels and society." Provided by publisher Cover Contents Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Women’s Identity and Self-Awareness Oral Tradition in African Novels Technique and Form in Lilian Masitera’s The Trail Social Change and Women’s Struggle in Zukiswa Wanner’s The Madams Patriarchal Abuse and Liberation Hypocrisy and Patriarchal Abuse of Power in El Saadawi’s God Dies by the Nile and The Fall of the Imam From Oppression to Liberation Exploitation, Women’s Struggle, and Resistance Race, Colonialism, and Resistance The Formidable Emancipator in Meja Mwangi’s Crossroads: The Last Plague Behind the Veil Gender and Liberation in Patriarchal Society Perception of Womanhood in Flora Nwapa’s Novels Resistance and Activism in Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood Gender, Ethnicity, and Sexuality in Nigerian Movies Conclusion References Index About the Author "This book explores the history and evolution of women's roles in African society and literature. The author examines oral stories and biographies to show how colonialization worked to oppress women in Africa and studies contemporary African literature and film to reveal the ways women and their roles, both in fiction and reality, have progressed"-- Provided by publisher