The presentation of female characters in three of BM Khaketla’s texts: A literary analysis

Abstract

Like most literature around the world, African literature initially portrayed women poorly. This is in accordance with Kalu’s (2001:14) observation that the role of women in society is constantly questioned and ‘for centuries women have struggled to find their place’ in a world that is predominantly male oriented. Inaccurate and incomplete portrayals of female characters littered early African works. This may be largely due to the fact that African literature was first written by men, whose education was put above that of women. Educated men not only came from a patriarchal society but were educated by missionaries and colonisers, who also came from a patriarchal society. The article attempts to investigate the representation of women characters in BM Khaketla’s texts. His penchant to portray androcentric narratives is at variance with the female gender that is trivialised through patriarchy, culture, a gender socialisation process, marriage and domestic enslavement. The images of African women in these texts will be reassessed and redefined. The article concludes with some contemporary issues showing that women do have control over their own lives and are therefore the designers of their own future. There is room for contemplation of individual responsibility in women’s plight apart from their cultural classification and expectations.

South African Journal of African Languages 2012, 32(2): 207–211