Gender and Cultural Perspectives in African and African Diaspora Works

Are women always helpless in the face of adversity? Do they comply with or question the double-standard dictates of patriarchal society? Are they aware of the forces that weigh them down? What strategies do they use to empower themselves in order to overcome hardships, fight oppression, victimization, and achieve fulfillment? These are the fundamental issues this book raises and analyzes to reveal the innermost psyche of female characters confronted with sociocultural challenges. The book also explores the strengths and weaknesses of women who experience plights of all sorts. It highlights their struggle to overcome the miscellaneous hurdles they encounter on their paths. The works examined in this book indict male supremacy, exploitation, abuse, and illustrate women's assets for survival, self-assertion and social recognition. It is based on a close textual analysis of the writings of Ama Ata Aidoo, Buchi Emecheta, Flora Nwapa, Mariama Bâ, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Chinua Achebe, Elechi Amadi, Gloria Naylor, Jamaica Kincaid, and Zora Neale Hurston. It also refers to any relevant work which sheds light on its critical perspective.