Description
Book SynopsisPortrayals of Masculinity in Nigerian Plays explores Nigerian people's notions of masculinity as portrayed in twelve Nigerian plays, written by three generations of Nigerian playwrights. She argues that hegemonic masculinity and other forms, which are referred to as “alternative masculinities,” exist in traditional Nigerian society. By analyzing plays written by first, second, and third-generation Nigerian playwrights, Onuoha tracks how notions about masculinity have evolved over the years. Further, she discusses the malleability of masculinity by exploring how women manifest qualities associated with masculinity within Nigerian plays. Through a review of critical studies on gender constructions, Onuoha examines not only the negative experiences of women within an African patriarchal system, but also the negative experiences of the men who are also direct or indirect victims of such a system.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Section 1: History, Notions, and Methodologies
Chapter One: The Development of Drama in Nigeria: An Overview
Chapter Two: Notions of Masculinity in Africa
Chapter Three: Analytical Methods and Theories in Gender Discourse
Section 2: Reviews
Chapter Four: Gender Constructions in Nigerian Plays: Scopes of Scholarly Analysis
Chapter Five: Multidisciplinary Studies on Masculinity
Section 3: Masculinity Depictions: Analysis
Chapter Six: Depiction of Masculinity in Soyinka’s Plays
Chapter Seven: Alternative Masculinities in Osofisan’s Plays
Chapter Eight: Feminization of Hegemonic Masculinity
Chapter Nine: Subversive Masculinities: Confronting Male Hegemony
Section 4: Summary and References
Chapter Ten: Summary and Conclusion
Bibliography
About the Author
