Feminist Discourse as Paradigm of Gendered Worldview: An Analysis of Social Comment of Ama Ata Aidoo and Calixthe Beyala

Abstract

The purpose of this article has been to explore the way African women writers have risen up to their subordination by the patriarchal culture. The African woman is still grappling with issues of emancipation, which means that she is far behind her Western counterpart even though they might be equally educated. Since the first female writings in the 1970s, there has been large profusion in the literary production by women. Their discourse is basically committed to improving the lot of women, children and in fact the society at large. They have expressed dissatisfaction about phallocentric language that underscores the inferiority and dependence of women and the male hegemony. Through their peculiar "écriture féminine" they are able to express the repressed emotions of frustration, anger and hatred against the repressive order of patriarchal culture. Two female writers were studied, Ama Ata Aidoo, a Ghanaian and Calixthe Beyala, a Cameroonian. They both express pointed criticism of African leadership that could not provide development and a better life for the people, particularly women and children. Their works indict the culpable leaders, who enrich themselves while the masses remain indigent.