The Evolutionary Perspective of Gender in Perpetua Nkamanyang Lola’s The Lock on My Lip

Abstract

Feminist writers have over the years portrayed women as victims of patriarchal norms, subjugation and oppression. This study investigates the evolutionary perspective of gender in the fight for women’s rights. It argues that contrary to the radicalized views in the fight for women’s societal rights contemporary African women show immutable respect for their husbands, marriage, and culture as they struggle for their rights, and even after they have attained their objectives. It further argues that men’s collaboration with the women is a prerequisite for women’s rights attainment. The paper is based on the assumption that Lola, unlike other feminist writers, has given a new insight into feminist discourse. In The Lock on My Lip, conflicting gender opinions are debated upon in order to achieve the necessary family and community unity or a holistic marital and societal harmony. The didactic value of the study centers on creating awareness in amending family/societal relations, in a bid to curb the rampant divorce prominence in contemporary Africa, and also, to ensure a healthy gender relation by raising awareness on the right mode of living together. African feminist thoughts is used in the study.