EXPLORING FEMINISM IN BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH AND A DOLL'S HOUSE

Feminism emerged as a movement to fight for the social, political and economic rights of the women. It is more of a political movement that recognises the individuality and sexuality of women and how historically and religion wise have been segregated. Before the advent of feminism, women lived under the tutelage of their male counterparts. For instance, a woman did not have any right to choose whom to marry, it was the prerogative of the male family member to choose. In the TV Serial, Rome, Julius 'Octavian' Caesar, who later became Augustus Caesar, makes a decision that affects both his mother and sister in a way unimaginable. The mother, Artia of the Julii is in love with Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) and she plans to marry him. However, Caesar decides it will be impossible for the two lovebirds to make it official. For political reasons, he settles for his sister Octavia as a suitable wife for Mark Anthony!

There are many examples of male subjugation in numerous cultures and how some women stood against such incredulity. In Egypt for example, again using the Series Rome as a baseline, Cleopatra stood ground against the male-dominated pharaoh's court who wanted to kill her. However, male dominance continued to use the Bible and other religious books to survive up to the 20th century. 

Literature has been an advocate against such blatant male abuse for ages. I do not want to cite many examples but I will use the texts, Blossoms of the Savannah and A Doll's House as my baseline of this discussion. 

In Blossoms of the Savannah, it is important to understand the roles of the characters Minik ene Nkoitoi, Resian and Taiyo ene Kaelo. Secondly, in order to understand feminism well, we need t look at their character traits and how they value themselves against the forces of patriarchy led by Oluisuduri.  For example, Kaelo does not know how to broach the matter of Resian's betrothal to her. He continues to procrastinate while time runs against him. Though Kaelo was known for his quick anger and stinging words, he could not muster the courage to tell his daughter the truth. 

This reveals to us the rebellious nature of Resian. It is this character that places Resian above other womenfolk like her mother who obey men without question. Another incident is when Resian fights Olarinkoi when he attempts to rape her. Although she is left for the dead, her fighting spirit keeps her going until she regains her consciousness (pg233). This reveals her unwavering determination to fight against gender inequality. Taiyo too faces her fair share of humiliation. She is circumcised against her will but survives to join her sister and Minik in the fight against inequality.

In A Doll's House, however, the struggle for feminism is a little liberal given the grounds with which women tread on are paved with somehow rational males, not savage men and women like in Blossoms of the Savannah. Mrs. Linde, as an example, successfully marries a man to help her sustain her family and when the relationship ends, she marries Krogstad the man who loved her. Mrs. Torvald on the other hand successfully secures a loan for her husband's medication. However, what was construed as an act of sacrifice for her family, she is accused by her husband for being reckless. The accusation opens her eyes to personal freedoms she has never enjoyed since her childhood. She chooses to leave her family. Maybe as a maiden, she will realise her individual rights.

To understand feminism, it ought to be looked at as advocacy against perceived wrong against the female gender. This advocacy maybe spearheaded by women as seen in the examples above or by males. Talking about males, Joseph Parmuat sacrifices his life to ensure that Taiyo survives to continue with her dreams. Such acts should also be explored at length. 

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