ENG2603 analysis feminist
nervous cond.
, A FEMINIST ANALYSIS OF
Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions
(1988)
P MBATHA: 883007
THIS DISSERTATION IS IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MASTER’S DEGREE IN SOUTH
AFRICAN LITERATURE AND LANGUAGES
SUPERVISOR: PROF J P WADE
1
, ABSTRACT
The thesis provides a feminist analysis of the Zimbabwean women writer Tsitsi
Dangarembga’s novel, Nervous Conditions (1988), reading the novel as a critique of
African patriarchy.
The thesis examines the different ways in which African patriarchy broadly manifests
itself regarding the subaltern position of women. It then analyses a range of feminist
theories, extracting from them concepts useful to an understanding of the novel.
Finally, the thesis analyses in detail Dangarembga’s novel in the light of an
understanding of African patriarchy and feminist theories.
2
, CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Chapter 1: Introduction 4
Chapter 2: The Author’s Biography 12
Chapter 3: The Role of Women in African Culture 15
Chapter 4: Feminist Theories 20
Chapter 5: Textual Analysis 36
Chapter 6: Conclusion 55
Bibliography 58
3
nervous cond.
, A FEMINIST ANALYSIS OF
Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions
(1988)
P MBATHA: 883007
THIS DISSERTATION IS IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MASTER’S DEGREE IN SOUTH
AFRICAN LITERATURE AND LANGUAGES
SUPERVISOR: PROF J P WADE
1
, ABSTRACT
The thesis provides a feminist analysis of the Zimbabwean women writer Tsitsi
Dangarembga’s novel, Nervous Conditions (1988), reading the novel as a critique of
African patriarchy.
The thesis examines the different ways in which African patriarchy broadly manifests
itself regarding the subaltern position of women. It then analyses a range of feminist
theories, extracting from them concepts useful to an understanding of the novel.
Finally, the thesis analyses in detail Dangarembga’s novel in the light of an
understanding of African patriarchy and feminist theories.
2
, CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Chapter 1: Introduction 4
Chapter 2: The Author’s Biography 12
Chapter 3: The Role of Women in African Culture 15
Chapter 4: Feminist Theories 20
Chapter 5: Textual Analysis 36
Chapter 6: Conclusion 55
Bibliography 58
3
