Portrayals of masculinity in selected Nigerian plays
- Authors: Onuoha, Beatrice Nwawuloke
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Masculinity in literature , Nigeria -- In literature
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22131 , vital:51985
- Description: This work critically interrogates the portrayal of masculinity in plays written by both male and female Nigerian playwrights. Selected plays (three from each author) of Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, Tess Onwueme and Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh were studied in order to proffer answers to certain critical questions, some of which include determining whether the way male playwrights construct the psychosocial temperament of lead male characters differs from how such is depicted in the works of female authors. The study also sought to ascertain how the concept of masculinity has evolved through the careers of three generations of playwriting in Nigeria. While evaluating the differences that exist in the portrayal of masculinity in the male lead characters in the works of selected male playwrights when compared to those of their female counterparts, the study equally examines the portrayals of male identities in the selected texts. It also evaluates the notion of masculinity shift among the three generations of Nigerian playwrights with a view to ascertaining how textual portrayals of characters and events reflect the changing values that are held about male identities in different Nigerian societies. In executing these objectives, the study adopts a qualitative method, and then eclectically employs Raewyn Connell’s (1995) Theory of Masculinity, Judith Butler’s (1990) Theory of Performativity, and Louis Athan Althusser’s (1970) Idea of Interpellation as the Theoretical Framework to guide the analysis and interpretation of the selected texts. Furthermore, the study follows a constructivist model that involves several stages including the identification of the selected plays as the main texts, a perusal of the plays, review of the literature on gender portrayals in the plays, and a critiquing of the portrayal of masculinity in them. The findings of the analysis reveal that masculinity is a conditional, provisional and elusive subject. It is created in a certain socio-cultural and historical context and evolves according to situations. The studied texts demonstrate the artistic agency of women in constructing men’s masculinity. They imply that masculinity and femininity are like Siamese twins in the building of a peaceful, strong, and new nation. Moreover, the playwrights under study divulge that power is the key factor in (de)constructing and (re)defining of masculinity of men. Through their plays, the dramatists challenge and attempt to change the stereotypical constructs of men, dismantle the traditional gender roles and propose a new way of envisioning gender, where hegemonic principles can be nullified. It is therefore the submission of this work that Soyinka, Osofisan, Onwueme and Utoh-Ezeajugh do not affirm the social construct of masculinity but rather interrogate them. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Onuoha, Beatrice Nwawuloke
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Masculinity in literature , Nigeria -- In literature
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22131 , vital:51985
- Description: This work critically interrogates the portrayal of masculinity in plays written by both male and female Nigerian playwrights. Selected plays (three from each author) of Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, Tess Onwueme and Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh were studied in order to proffer answers to certain critical questions, some of which include determining whether the way male playwrights construct the psychosocial temperament of lead male characters differs from how such is depicted in the works of female authors. The study also sought to ascertain how the concept of masculinity has evolved through the careers of three generations of playwriting in Nigeria. While evaluating the differences that exist in the portrayal of masculinity in the male lead characters in the works of selected male playwrights when compared to those of their female counterparts, the study equally examines the portrayals of male identities in the selected texts. It also evaluates the notion of masculinity shift among the three generations of Nigerian playwrights with a view to ascertaining how textual portrayals of characters and events reflect the changing values that are held about male identities in different Nigerian societies. In executing these objectives, the study adopts a qualitative method, and then eclectically employs Raewyn Connell’s (1995) Theory of Masculinity, Judith Butler’s (1990) Theory of Performativity, and Louis Athan Althusser’s (1970) Idea of Interpellation as the Theoretical Framework to guide the analysis and interpretation of the selected texts. Furthermore, the study follows a constructivist model that involves several stages including the identification of the selected plays as the main texts, a perusal of the plays, review of the literature on gender portrayals in the plays, and a critiquing of the portrayal of masculinity in them. The findings of the analysis reveal that masculinity is a conditional, provisional and elusive subject. It is created in a certain socio-cultural and historical context and evolves according to situations. The studied texts demonstrate the artistic agency of women in constructing men’s masculinity. They imply that masculinity and femininity are like Siamese twins in the building of a peaceful, strong, and new nation. Moreover, the playwrights under study divulge that power is the key factor in (de)constructing and (re)defining of masculinity of men. Through their plays, the dramatists challenge and attempt to change the stereotypical constructs of men, dismantle the traditional gender roles and propose a new way of envisioning gender, where hegemonic principles can be nullified. It is therefore the submission of this work that Soyinka, Osofisan, Onwueme and Utoh-Ezeajugh do not affirm the social construct of masculinity but rather interrogate them. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
The influence of socially constructed masculinities on gender-based violence: A content analysis of published academic literature
- Authors: Cajee, Mumtaaz
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Family violence , Sex (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23688 , vital:58304
- Description: Gender-based violence is a global epidemic. Masculinities-focused interventions have a positive influence on behaviour and contribute toward positive attitudes and gender equality (Das et al., 2012). These interventions have a positive influence on factors associated with gender-based violence. However, some studies found that this influence is behavioural and does not influence patriarchal beliefs (Jewkes et al., 2010; Roy & Das, 2014). Highlighting that intervention on gender-based violence requires redress. This research sought to establish what has been published in academic literature on the influence of masculinities on gender-based violence. The research was addressed through the social constructionist paradigm; it used a mixed methods approach to research. A content-analysis was applied to 100 published academic articles that were sampled from the University of Fort Hare’s online library database using purposive sampling. The research method and design is appropriately suited to the theoretical framework – social constructionism. Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software was used to code the quantitative and qualitative data through deductive and inductive means. The quantitative results were interpreted using descriptive statistics. The qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The research in this sample is mostly qualitative, majority of the research within the sample was published between 2007 and 2018, and male participants are primarily focused on within research on this topic. Majority of the research within the sample was conducted using North American Participants. The findings support previous literature. They indicated that masculine norms, compensatory masculinity, and victimization of gender non-conforming individuals are the most prominent themes within the sample. The results indicated various gaps within the research. There is an indication that different dimensions of masculinity are associated with different forms of gender-based violence. It is recommended that future research focus on the different dimensions of masculinity and their association with various forms of genderbased violence in order to appropriately inform preventative strategies and intervention. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Cajee, Mumtaaz
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Family violence , Sex (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23688 , vital:58304
- Description: Gender-based violence is a global epidemic. Masculinities-focused interventions have a positive influence on behaviour and contribute toward positive attitudes and gender equality (Das et al., 2012). These interventions have a positive influence on factors associated with gender-based violence. However, some studies found that this influence is behavioural and does not influence patriarchal beliefs (Jewkes et al., 2010; Roy & Das, 2014). Highlighting that intervention on gender-based violence requires redress. This research sought to establish what has been published in academic literature on the influence of masculinities on gender-based violence. The research was addressed through the social constructionist paradigm; it used a mixed methods approach to research. A content-analysis was applied to 100 published academic articles that were sampled from the University of Fort Hare’s online library database using purposive sampling. The research method and design is appropriately suited to the theoretical framework – social constructionism. Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software was used to code the quantitative and qualitative data through deductive and inductive means. The quantitative results were interpreted using descriptive statistics. The qualitative findings were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The research in this sample is mostly qualitative, majority of the research within the sample was published between 2007 and 2018, and male participants are primarily focused on within research on this topic. Majority of the research within the sample was conducted using North American Participants. The findings support previous literature. They indicated that masculine norms, compensatory masculinity, and victimization of gender non-conforming individuals are the most prominent themes within the sample. The results indicated various gaps within the research. There is an indication that different dimensions of masculinity are associated with different forms of gender-based violence. It is recommended that future research focus on the different dimensions of masculinity and their association with various forms of genderbased violence in order to appropriately inform preventative strategies and intervention. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
Theme and protest in the South African post-apartheid novel: a case study of the writings of three black South African novelists
- Moyo, Mbongeni https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2256-9671
- Authors: Moyo, Mbongeni https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2256-9671
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Postcolonialism in literature , Apartheid in literature , Protest literature, South African (English)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22023 , vital:51937
- Description: This study analyses a selected cohort of black South African novelists‟ depiction of the real burning issues of the post-Apartheid South Africa. The ideas that the study is concerned with in the novel under study, are based on the aspect of theme and how it is utilised by the respective authors to address the social, economic and political issues in the post-Apartheid South Africa. The study is an investigation of the extent to which black South African novelists have depicted the aforementioned issues. The research highlights those issues that the novels under study addressed and continues by revealing how the authors depict these issues in their texts. Moreover, the study concludes that literature has a role to play in the society and recommends that it should be reliable and useful to the society. It further recommends that literature should not ignore societal issues and should be corrective in its approach. The study is comprised of six chapters: Chapter One functions as an introduction to the study. It provides information on the aims and objectives of the study, the background information on the novels under study and South African literature itself. The chapter also outlines the method and the theories, which will be used in the study. It concludes by addressing the significance of the study. Chapter Two provides a detailed analysis of the theories, which will be used in the study. This includes the Marxism and Realism theory, Afrocentric theory and the Feminist Literary theory. It also defines the concept of theme and outlines its characteristics. It discusses post-colonial literature and its development in Africa. The chapter will conclude with a disclosure of the role of theme and of the author in the African novel. Chapter Three addresses the depiction of burning issues in Mpe‟s novel “Welcome to Our Hillbrow”. It discusses the real post-colonial challenges confronting the society during the post-Apartheid South Africa. It determines whether the novel under study adequately addresses these issues. Chapter Four identifies and addresses the depiction of burning post-colonial issues in Magona‟s novel “Beauty‟s Gift”. It unveils the themes that are dealt with in the novel under study thereby linking them effectively to the current situation in the new South Africa. Chapter Five unveils the central themes in Mahala‟s Novel “When a Man Cries” and it illustrates how the author protests against the ills of post-Apartheid South Africa. Chapter Six serves as the conclusion of the study and brings out the findings and recommendations of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Moyo, Mbongeni https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2256-9671
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Postcolonialism in literature , Apartheid in literature , Protest literature, South African (English)
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22023 , vital:51937
- Description: This study analyses a selected cohort of black South African novelists‟ depiction of the real burning issues of the post-Apartheid South Africa. The ideas that the study is concerned with in the novel under study, are based on the aspect of theme and how it is utilised by the respective authors to address the social, economic and political issues in the post-Apartheid South Africa. The study is an investigation of the extent to which black South African novelists have depicted the aforementioned issues. The research highlights those issues that the novels under study addressed and continues by revealing how the authors depict these issues in their texts. Moreover, the study concludes that literature has a role to play in the society and recommends that it should be reliable and useful to the society. It further recommends that literature should not ignore societal issues and should be corrective in its approach. The study is comprised of six chapters: Chapter One functions as an introduction to the study. It provides information on the aims and objectives of the study, the background information on the novels under study and South African literature itself. The chapter also outlines the method and the theories, which will be used in the study. It concludes by addressing the significance of the study. Chapter Two provides a detailed analysis of the theories, which will be used in the study. This includes the Marxism and Realism theory, Afrocentric theory and the Feminist Literary theory. It also defines the concept of theme and outlines its characteristics. It discusses post-colonial literature and its development in Africa. The chapter will conclude with a disclosure of the role of theme and of the author in the African novel. Chapter Three addresses the depiction of burning issues in Mpe‟s novel “Welcome to Our Hillbrow”. It discusses the real post-colonial challenges confronting the society during the post-Apartheid South Africa. It determines whether the novel under study adequately addresses these issues. Chapter Four identifies and addresses the depiction of burning post-colonial issues in Magona‟s novel “Beauty‟s Gift”. It unveils the themes that are dealt with in the novel under study thereby linking them effectively to the current situation in the new South Africa. Chapter Five unveils the central themes in Mahala‟s Novel “When a Man Cries” and it illustrates how the author protests against the ills of post-Apartheid South Africa. Chapter Six serves as the conclusion of the study and brings out the findings and recommendations of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
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