COUNTER FEMINISM: A STUDY OF CHINUA ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART AND JOHN MUNONYE’S THE ONLY SON

Abstract

It is a general belief that the colossal and impulsive growth of African ingenious literature and the grave enthusiasm surrounding it have not always given impressive concentration to the female folk. This limited overlook as diversely argued does not correspond with the past actuality of their existence and experience especially regarding their colonial and postcolonial status. Despite the fact that the traditional society was generally regarded as ‘a man’s world’, yet the African woman in her existence had enjoyed her venerated roles of wife and mother, coupled with prominent roles in the cultural, social and political spheres. They are the mother, wife and home managers. Their roles are very important for the mere fact that they assist God in the process of creation thereby ensuring lineage continuity. This is why she becomes so uncomfortable when procreation fails to favour her even when her husband and family members prove supportive. Her impact is always felt in the families and the society and her absence spells doom for the community. Why then are all hell let loose at the mention of ‘feminism’ and suddenly they started feeling marginalised? This article is an examination of the elevated female characters in the patriarchal societies of Chinua Achebe and John Munonye to buttress that male writers in the so-called patriarchal society do justice to the female folks. Their cries for emancipation were mere camouflage. This will be done from the archetypal point of view.