A Critique of Tell it to Women (Essay Sample)

A critique of tell it to women
Name
Institution
Tell it to women by Tess Onwueme is a play set in Nigeria. It draws our attention to a village in Nigeria during the postcolonial Africa. Her story enlightens the audience about the contrast of traditionalism versus modernism. It also shows the interaction of different cultures. The author has created a post-feminist heroic drama that surpasses current feminist theories. It portrays a critical dissertation on the western feminist. It ends by disclosing the true meaning of culture. It also scrutinizes the role of women in the Nigerian culture. Women are subjected to a challenge of either choosing to retain their culture or to advance together with the world.
The play starts with Yemoja who appears to be the most important woman in the village. They are in a house with Daisy and Ruth. The two are feminist western scholars who appear to be the primary rivals in the play. They are in charge of a group called ‘‘Better Life for Rural Women.’’ The group educates women by telling them that they are capable of doing things men can do. Furthermore, they tell them women can outdo men in other ways. Yemoja is chosen to act as an arbitrator between the village and the western world. Ruth and Daisy are determined to make the women realize their capabilities (Onwueme, 1997). In the process of enlightening the women, the movement causes commotion in the village between men and women particularly with Yemoja’s husband and farther.
From the play, Daisy’s family disagrees with her. Okei disagrees with Daisy since she is trying to enlighten women in the village. Enlightening women seems to be against the Nigerian culture. Okei is so disturbed and uncomfortable until he engages into fights with her wife Daisy. Despite the challenges, Yemoja’s mother-in law motivates her to participate in the village rituals. Sherifat tells Yemoja that it would be a terrible fate if she decides to allow the influence of the western culture and abandon hers (Onwueme, 1997). .
The author introduces the idea of feminism. She fights for the rights of women to be regarded equally as men in the society. Daisy is among the women embracing the concept of feminism, but she faces challenges from the people around her. It is a clear indication that women do not have equal rights as men in the society. Feminism is seen in the first chapter of the book. In several African cultures, various changes are impacted on it by modernization but the woman is still marginalized. It is an assumption that women roles are mothering and housekeeping.
Male chauvinism is seen in the society. Males appear to be leading in most of the social affairs particularly those that are public. The woman seems to be confined to a smaller space as compared to the men. Man on the other side can explore the public and the more challenging areas in life (Onwueme, 1997). . The African woman is portrayed not to be very dependent on the man whether harmed or not. She engages in other affairs that offer her a different level of independence either economically or politically.
The man and male-orient have dominated the African society. Despite that, a few brave women who were able to stand and fight for their rights. Regardless of their confining situations, they have fought for the liberation of many people against the forces of extinction. Such women are exceptional since they have managed to envision patriarchal ideas. Such women include queen Amina of Zaria, Mmekatili of Kenya among others (Onwueme, 1997).
The play ‘‘Go tell it to women’’ shows some female characters who seem to be empowered in the text they appear. There are two main aspects of female liberation. They include feminism and womanism. Of the two, feminism is more deep-seated as compared to womanism. It is also Eurocentric. Womanism is less radical and appropriate for the patriarchal circumstances in Africa. Various ideologies that are inherent in the play show that Onwueme is positively committed to ideas that will transform her society from ills like wife battering commonly observed in the reign of Wozobia. She appears to be a capable dramatist ...