Ideology and Subversion in Feminist Short Stories from Africa

Abstract

his paper examines the oppressive nature of the patriarchal society and the Feminist voice for fair treatment of women to restore her respect and dignity. To illustrate the feminist concerns and the subversive practices, three short stories have been used namely: Tandiwe Myambo’s, “Decidious Gazelles”, Lindsey Collen’s “The Enigma”, and Ifeoma Okoye’s “The Power of a Plate of Rice”. All the three stories appear in Vera (1999).The paper exposes the challenges facing the woman in a patriarchal society. The women in the three short stories live within family units with clearly defined roles and expectations for harmonious living, but the reversal takes place. The man has usurped authority and his domineering nature is being felt both at home and at the work place. The men have accepted their superior roles, granted to them naturally by the patriarchal society. The woman finds it difficult to both accept and play the subordinate roles because of their oppressive nature. The paper will explore the plight of these women, both single and married and attempt to get into their inner lives to see the situations they face, the challenges and their struggle to liberate themselves from the oppressive patriarchal system.