PATRIARCHAL DOMINANCE IN J.P CLARK’S THE WIVES REVOLT AND FEMI OSOFISAN’S ALTINE’S WRATH

SUMMARY
The plays of J.B Clark and Femi Osofisan are of great significance and relevance to the African society at large. The import of the play is boundless within the confines of Africa. They are also read and acted amongst the intelligentsia across the globe. From the research carried out, on assumption of
patriarchal dominance in the society is anchored and championed typically by culture. The issue of cultural context and manipulation–cum-influence in both plays portray lucidly that Africa is still a largely and deeply rooted patriarchal world; and women’s faith will almost always be defined and structured to fit into the demands of the male folk. While The Wives’ Revolt censures patriarchal dominance manifesting as marginalization and exploitation, gender inequality, injustice and denial of women as precursored by all traditional structures; Altline’s Wrath evaluates the conduit through which patriarchy plays out in the society in form of degradation and relegation of women and brutality melted out to the women in African society. Asabe Mamman’s (2004:73) comment points out of the root causes of patriarchy and the subjection of women in the African society. She says that “the early subtle socialization method tend to have wounded women into believing and internalising the belief that women are meant only to provide supportive roles to men who are seen as national leader of the society.” Mamman tows towards the aspect of subjugation and suppression of women. The woman folk are being made to believe she is irrelevant, irrational, passive and incapable.