Gender Discourse in Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter

 Abstract: This research work examines the gender discourse in Chimamanda Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus and Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter. In examining the two authors from a feminist point of view, their works focus on the issue of cultural discrimination, gender violence, patriarchy domination and the effects of polygamy and it affects the women emotionally and psychologically. Their writings also dramatize the problems faced by women such as oppression, injustice and humiliation in the hands of their husbands as seen in the characters in the novels.  In So Long a Letter for instance, Ramatoulaye’s letter to Aissatou expresses her feelings of sadness, humiliation and oppression in the hands of her husband’s unfair treatment and how he abandoned her with twelve children for another wife. Their writing therefore portrays the above issues affecting the women and also encourages these women to take courageous steps and get themselves out of the obnoxious cultural practices.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                              

Abstract                                                                                                         

                                                                                       

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study                                                                  

1.2       Statement of the Problem                                                                  

1.3       Purpose of the Study                                                                         

1.4       Significance of the Study                                                                              

1.5       Objectives of the study                                                                                  

1.6       Scope and Delimitation of the Study                                                

1.7       Research Methodology                                                                                  

1.8       Bio Data of Chimamanda Adichie                                                                  

1.9       Bio Data of Mariama Ba                                                                                 

1.10   Definition of Terms                                                                                         

CHAPTER TWO

The Review of Related Literature                                                                             

CHAPTER THREE: GENDER DISCOURSE IN CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE’S PURPLE HIBISCUS

3.1       Analysis of gender discourse in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus               

3.2       The Theme of marital violence in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus             

3.3       The style in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus                                                           

3.4       Characterization in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus                                               

CHAPTER FOUR: GENDER DISCOURSE IN MARIAMA BA’S SO LONG A LETTER

4.1       Analysis of gender discourse in Mariama Ba’ So Long a Letter         

4.2       The theme of Polygamy in Ba’s So Long a Letter                             

4.3       Style in Ba’s So Long a Letter                                                                      

4.4       Characterization in Marama Ba’s So Long a Letter                           

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1       Summary                                                                                                        

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                     

5.3       Recommendations                                                                                         

Works Cited