Colonialization Of Women In Toni Morrison's Beloved

The patriarchal, stereotypical and traditional ways in which women have been represented in literature provides an insight to the extent, to which females in society were marginalised. Ngugi powerfully reflects the tension between colonialism and the pre-colonial African culture in the “River Between” where the lowly stature of women stands out distinctively. On the other hand, in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” the detrimental physiological and psychological impact of colonialisation of women is explored through the heart-wrenching story of Margaret Garner. These two prolific writers depict the agonising past the black society endured over two different continents and the subservient stature of women. Thus, the following question arises:

In what …show more content…
In Ngugi’s “The River Between” we get a glimpse of the more domestic side of female life where cultural rituals are seen clashing with the christian mindset of the colonists. The religious importance of circumcision in the African society is portrayed which is viewed as barbaric by the ‘whites’. The resurrection of the old African myths along with the unabridged conflict between the Gikuyu tribe and Christianity are prominent themes in Ngugi’s books. The stature of women in society is constant irrespective of the country, time period or colonialism. Within the literatures originating from two different continents, we find one commonality, the barbaric abuse of patriarchal power in order to subjugate the women. Toni Morrison’s Beloved has a gothic horror take in order to convey the true grotesque nature of the torment the abused had to endure. The plaguing pain sustained and the unimaginable horrors of slavery led a mother to find infanticide as the only protection. The story is not narrated chronologically but is modelled with flashbacks, memories, and nightmares as fearful as reality. The amalgamation of African Feminism and Western Feminism is required in order to fully comprehend the extremities of female conditions in such societal …show more content…
The rite of circumcision is symbolic to ones initiation into adulthood which provides a form of spiritual appeasement. It marks their complete acceptance in society. Thus, Muthoni’s desire for this ceremony would be reflective of her attempting to finding her identity and becoming truly independent. It becomes an endeavour to finding acceptance in society. On the other hand, Nyambura’s detachment towards circumcision culminates from the internalisation and acceptance of christian beliefs and her ensuing eschewal of indigenous cultural rites. Ngugi’s empathy and psychological understanding is prominent in the disparity of the two sisters. The practise of female circumcision is an elementally masculinist system of oppression which perpetuates and legally authorises the hegemonizing of women. The violence of circumcision becomes a symbolic foreshadowing of the barbarity of decolonisation. Female circumcision is a barbaric ancient practise which has no potential benefits to women themselves, but is done in order to provide a greater deal of pleasure to men. This sexual objectification of women has lead to severe ramifications which is seen by Muthoni’s agonising death due to the ritual. Circumcision is seen to hold a paradoxical double function. This causes the reader to wonder if circumcision is an anti-colonial crusade or a