Women Oppression and Toxic Relationships in Amma Darko’s Beyond the Horizon

This study probes into the oppression and subjugation of women by men, and how the women get involved in different layers of toxic relationships with men in Amma Darko’s Beyond the Horizon. The purposive sample method is employed in the selection of the African novel, as women oppression and toxic relationships are the main thematic preoccupation of the novelist. Feminism is adopted as the theoretical framework of the study, with a particular focus on radical feminism. Sociocultural, economic and sexual exploitation are amply demonstrated in the novel. The protagonist, Mara’s experience is employed in highlighting how inimical women oppression and toxic relationships are to the African society. Mara is married off to Akobi, the son of a wealthy man in the village. Mara’s marital woes demonstrate the various forms of oppression and toxic relationships women experience in the hands of men. The findings of the study evidently show all shades of women oppression and toxic relationships are bad practices which negatively affect women and the African society at large.

Keywords: African Novel Radical Feminism Women Oppression Toxic Relationships

Author

• Oso Olusola
  Department of English
  University of Lagos
  ooso@unilag.edu.ng
  08038341039