Sundiata's Epic Shows How Women are Born (Coursework Sample)
The role of women: Given the male-centered world of the culture, how do female characters such as Sogolon and Sassouma Bérété demonstrate their power and seem to represent the culture's view of female characteristics? How does the portrayal of these women compare with ways women are portrayed in other cultures or in our culture today? Provide some examples of the traits of Sogolon or other women in Sundiata and discuss the epic's treatment of gender.
Select a relevant passage of your own choosing from Sundiata. Choose carefully, thinking about how your passage might speak to overarching themes and the bolded text in the Purpose, above.
How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about roles of women in Sundiata, and how is that significant or important for understanding women in this culture or more generally?
Sundiata's Epic Shows How Women are Born
Sundiata's epic shows how women are born and grow in male-dominated communities. For instance, women's rights were always violated, and society demanded they be submissive. The women were perceived as less superior in some instances, but they got an opportunity to demonstrate their strengths. The women have to stand out even if it costs them paraffin and water to claim glory against the women. They do everything to maintain their position as preferred wives in society. Some of them possess high skills and knowledge. For instance, Sogolon ensures that she is a good mother to her son by informing him of the dangers he is facing. The way women are treated in Sundiata is similar to our culture, where women have defied so many odds to be where they are(Tsaaior 1-2). For the longest time in society, patriarchal values oppressed women, but many have overcome the hurdles by showing their strengths at every opportunity they get.
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