Feminism For the Win!

            Beginning in the twentieth century, the feminist movement gained momentum after coming to life in the previous century. These bluestockings used the men around them, the media, and the misogynistic views throughout history to support their cause. In the delightfully exciting packet on literary feminist theory, the author whose name I have yet to discover throughout this entire process, points out that “Central to the diverse aims and methods of feminist criticism is its focus on patriarchy, the rule of society and culture by men.” This is where the plight of women in literature becomes crucial, especially in the novel, Things Fall Apart. In Chinua Achebe’s novel, he depicts elements of African culture, especially social aspects. The women in this novel are little more than slaves. They are restricted from many of their societies ceremonies, they are there mainly to bear children and cook, and can be beaten within an inch of their lives (except during the week of peace). They are treated as objects to be manipulated rather than human beings. And sadly, the men’s yams are prized more than their wives (of which they can have several).

         The idea of feminist literary criticism is to challenge and critique these patriarchal views depicted in literature, something easily done with Achebe’s novel. Though Achebe’s central idea is to derail colonialism, he also undermines the validity of the culture he depicts. To readers, today and when the book was published, their culture is reprehensible. In modern times, it is NOT okay to beat a significant other, and even in the 1950’s it was frowned upon to beat a wife. As such, the fact that this culture condones the subjugation of women does not reflect well upon them and as I reader (and a feminist) it made me feel that it is possible colonialism was good for Africa. Though it is traffic that they lost many of their cultural traditions when the Europeans invaded, certain aspects are better off eradicated from the world. The blatant sexism and oppressive patriarchies depicted in the novel are primitive in nature and morally repugnant.