Visions of Womanhood in Contemporary African Literature

Blessing Diala-Ogamba, is professor of English at Coppin State University.

An innovative and compelling interpretation of the growing representation of women in literary texts and movies produced by African female and male genders. Refreshingly authentic and theoretically well-grounded, Visions of Womanhood embodies the accentuation of the African woman from patriarchal victimhood to female agency, individuality, vibrancy, assertiveness, and self-worth through education, socialization, consciousness-raising, and diligence. This expansive and invaluable contribution to the growing trends in African literature, gender studies, and film studies is highly recommended.

• IntroductionSection 1: Women's Identity and Self-AwarenessChapter 1: Oral Traditions in African Novels: An Analysis of Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s The Last of the Strong Ones and Sunny Udoh’s Martial BlissChapter 2: Technique and Form in Lilian Masitera’s The TrailChapter 3: Social Change and Women’s Struggle in Zukiswa Wanner’s The MadamSection 2: Patriarchal Abuse and LiberationChapter 4: Hypocrisy and Abuse of Power in Nawal El Sadaawi’s God Dies By The Nile and The Fall of The Imam Chapter 5: From Oppression to Rebelliousness: Women in Tayeb Salih's Season of Migration to North and Buchi Emecheta's Kehinde Section 3: Exploitation, Women's Struggle, and ResistanceChapter 6: Race, Colonialism, and Resistance: The Women Left Behind in Lauretta Ncgobo's and They Didn't DieChapter 7: The Formidable Emancipator in Meja Mwangi’s Crossroads: The Last PlagueChapter 8: Behind the Veil: The Unyielding Protagonist in Nuruddin Farah’s KnotsSection 4: Gender and Liberation in Patriarchal SocietyC