PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN SELECTED IGBO FEMALE AUTHORED PLAYS

Abstract

This work is set out to examine the portrayal of women major characters in selected Igbo female authored plays. Research has shown that the Igbo male playwrights subjugate their female major character; that is, they represent them negatively in their plays. This is the result of gender discrimination and cultural oppression the aim of which is the subordination of African women in general and Igbo women in particular. It is this state of affairs that motivated the researcher into finding out whether Igbo female playwrights equally portray their female major characters negatively or whether they have different relationships with their female major characters in their Igbo plays. The study adopted the survey research method. The selected Igbo female authored plays were critically studied, including other related literatures. The theoretical approach which the study employs is Alice Walker’s Womanism. This literary approach is relevant to this study because it advocates that people have to co-exist peacefully in the family as well as the society. The study finds out that Igbo women writers do not subordinate their female key characters in their plays like their male counterpart It is hoped that this will help people generally to change their negative attitude to gender issues. We recommend that both male and female Igbo playwrights should try to create positive male and female major characters who will serve as role models for readers to emulate especially students.