Ukaegbu, V. (2006) Mythological and patriarchal constraints: the tale of Osofisan's revolutionary women. In: Adeyemi, S. (ed.) Portraits for an Eagle: a Festschrift in Honour of Femi Osofisan. Bayreuth: Bayreuth African Studies. pp. 179-192.
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Abstract:
Amuta (1989) describes Femi Osofisan as one of a breed of African Marxist writers who propose revolutionary alternatives to the continent’s problems and whose strategy is to align theatre with the ordinary, marginalised victims of social inequalities. This Marxist imperative suggests the de-stabilisation of those patriarchal constructions and narratives that repress the poor and women, a theatre in which normative gender classifications and roles are de-constructed and replaced with a collective developmental agenda that values the contributions of all sections of society equally. A critical analysis of his plays reveals that while Osofisan’s dramaturgy is profoundly Marxist, the presentation of his women characters is less revolutionary than the men whom he endows with radical and ideological vision. His women are generally trapped in mythological, conservative gender constructions and although their actions may be redemptive, they are usually less ideologically convincing and insufficiently revolutionary in action. This chapter interrogates Osofisan's women in Morountodun, Once Upon Four Robbers, Another Raft and The Oriki of a Grasshopper. It uses women's surrender of revolutionary platforms to men to interrogate the extents of Osofisan’s Marxist credentials.
Additional Information:
RAE2008 UoA65
Subjects:
Creators:
Ukaegbu, V.
Editors:
Adeyemi, S.
Publisher:
Bayreuth African Studies
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
2006
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 179-192
Title of Book:
Portraits for an Eagle: a Festschrift in Honour of Femi Osofisan
Series Name:
Bayreuth African Studies Series
Volume:
78
Place of Publication:
Bayreuth
Number of Pages:
258
Language:
English
ISBN:
3927510955
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
References:
Amuta, Chidi (1989) The Theory of African Literature: Implications for
Practical Criticism, London: Zed Books.
Asiedu, Awo (2001) ‘Once Upon Four Robbers: A Review’. African
Theatre: Playwrights and Politics. Ed. Martin Banham, James Gibbs, and Femi Osofisan. Oxford: James Currey, 2001: 57 – 61.
Doolan, Jill (1991) The Feminist Spectator as Critic, Ann Arbor: University
of Michigan Press.
Ferris, Lesley (1990) Acting Women: Images of Women in Theatre (edited
by Jo Campling) London: The Macmillan Press.
Gibson, Gay Cima (1993) Performing Women: Female Characters, Male
Playwrights, and the Modern Stage , Ithaca & London: Cornell University Press.
Holderness, Graham, (ed) (1992) The Politics of Theatre and Drama ,
London: Macmillan.
Obasikene, J. I. (2000) ‘Ideological Transmutation of Myth and History in
Contemporary Nigerian Theatre: The Example of Femi Osofisan and Bode Sowande’ in Enyo:Journal of African Theatre and Drama, Vol. 1 No. 1, Enugu: ABIC Books; pp. 41 48.
Osofisan, Femi (1982 ) Morountodun and Other Plays, Lagos: Longman.
Osofisan, Femi (1986) The Oriki of a Grasshopper in Two One-Act Plays,
Ibadan: New Horn Press.
Osofisan, Femi (1988) Another Raft, Lagos: Malthouse Press.
Osofisan, Femi (1991) Once Upon Four Robbers , Ibadan: Heinemann
Educational Books Nigeria Plc.
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