Article Title
‘Could the Subaltern Speak?’ Patriarchy and Gender-Based Violence in Ben Okri’s Dangerous Love
Abstract
In a patriarchal society, women are, on the most part, the least representative in socio-political and economic spheres. They are frequently considered as second-class citizens, and live in the shadow of their male counterparts. They are portrayed as commodities, objects that satisfy men’s needs while being used as sex toys, cooks, servants, housewives and housemaids. They face various forms of violence and abuse as far as they are seen as sub-humans. In a society trapped in a web of traditional, cultural and religious beliefs, women’s plights and sufferings are often overlooked and ignored. By utilizing a feminist lens, the violation of women’s basic rights is explored in Ben Okri’s Dangerous Love (1996). The issues of domestic violence, traditional marriage, sexual abuse, poverty and discrimination are tackled.
Key Words: Violence, Gender, Patriarchy, Forced Marriage, Human Rights.
Recommended Citation
AWITOR, Francis Etsè
(2022)
"‘Could the Subaltern Speak?’ Patriarchy and Gender-Based Violence in Ben Okri’s Dangerous Love,"
Journal of Gender, Ethnic, and Cross-Cultural Studies: Vol. 1:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://epublications.marquette.edu/jgecp/vol1/iss1/4
Included in
African Languages and Societies Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, History Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons, Religion Commons
