Examining Underrepresentation of Male Characters in Selected African Feminist Literature

Abstract

The study analysed the underrepresentation of male characters in African feminist literature. The field of literature has continued to explore gender inequality and feminist perspectives. Although similar research has been conducted, it appears that male characters are often overlooked in favour of portraying female characters, especially in feminist literature. Textual analysis was used in analysing four African feminist texts, two by male authors and two by female authors. A purposive sampling technique was applied in selecting the texts: Margaret A. Ogola’s The River and the Source, Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, Nuruddin Farah’s From a Crooked Rib, and André Brink’s Imaginings of Sand. The study was guided by feminist theory, psychoanalytic feminism and deconstruction theories. Findings indicate that masculinity tends to be portrayed with less emphasis, and male characters are underrepresented, as female characters are often depicted with progressive traits. Therefore, recommendations are made to the Ministry of Education to evaluate novels that focus on female characters and tend to neglect male characters. In addition, feminist authors should address gender issues as relevant to both men and women in contemporary society. The research intends to inform social agents such as governments, educators, parents, and society at large to promote gender equality today.