PATRIARCHY AND GENDER INEQUALITY IN SEFI ATTA’S EVERYTHING GOOD WILL COME AND LOLA SHONEYIN’S THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES

ABSTRACT

Patriarchy and gender inequality is a strong part of our society that affects the relationship between man and woman. Patriarchy which implies the rule of men works to keep men at the top of affairs and to keep the women as their subordinate. This is the focus of this study which uses Segi Atta’s Everything Good will Come and Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives as a case study for its research. The first chapter explores male dominance as it is predominant in our society. The second chapter analyzes male centeredness and the various forms it takes. The third chapter examines the nature and various forms of male control in patriarchy. This research explores deeply the various characteristics of patriarchy which includes male dominance, male centeredness and male control. As seen in the first chapter, male dominance emphasizes that authority resides with the men. This is seen through the characters in the novel. Enitan as a child is taught how to behave as a girl child. Certain teachings are issued to female children and this is to aid the growth of male dominance. The female children grow up seeing their father as the head of the affairs and are equally taught that power resides with the man. Subordination of women in male dominated society leads to loss of identity to the women. Women like Niyi’s mother and Enitan’s mother totally lost their identity in marriage due to the effects of male dominance on the women. It further shows how men take advantage of vulnerable women and dominate them. Men like Baba Segi act like a knight and shine armor to vulnerable women and their vulnerability, aids him in keeping them as his subordinate and followers of his biddings. Male physical structure also acts as an advantage for men to be able to dominate women either through physical violence.