Deconstructing Symbols of Female Attrition in Heterosexual Marriages: A Literary Perspective
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Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
Abstract
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Much of documented work on gender has tended to proffer so lutions to
gender imbalance through the adjustment of social policies that are more
inclusive of the needs and rights of women, without paying relative attention
to the correlating sign structures which drive gendered behaviour in society
such as symbols. Therefore, this paper examines the sustained role of
symbols as precursors of gender attrition in the heterosexual marriage as
portrayed in the lenses of literary texts featuring English speakin g Europe
and post-colonial African societies; and from three periods in literary history.
The texts used as illustration are Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew;
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre; and Chimamanda Adichie's Purple Hibiscus.
The Symbolic Interactionist theory of sociology and the ·Feminist off-shoot
of Nego-Feminism are adopted as analytical postures. While Symbolic
Interactionism examines the content of symbolic dialogue between
individuals in close proximity, Nego-Feminism projects a platfo rm for the
understanding, reassessment and negotiation of gender power stru ctures
within the heterosexual marriage institution with a view to achieving equity
through peaceful and empathic negotiation. The research is expected to act as
a launching pad for the review of traditional and obsolete symbols of status
in gender role play.
Keywords
BF Psychology, HQ The family. Marriage. Woman, PE English