Dangerembga Gender Roles

Gender plays a significant role in how we function in society and how we perceive gender as a determining factor for success. Males are given opportunities that females are not awarded due to stereotypes; a prime example being the inability to think logically when emotions are aroused. Females are generally thought of as the weaker mate of a relationship and is considered a life giver in sync with the women’s natural ability to bear a child. These characteristics are what unifies gender roles across China, Zimbabwe and even America.
In America, these gender roles are slowly diminishing as we are evolving into the new phenomenon of acceptance or equal human rights, which says that any sexual orientation is legal and should be accepted. With …show more content…
In addition to being submissive it is noted that women are to cook, clean and specifically care for the crops of the field. Tambu is the daughter of the family and was naturally given less notoriety than her brother because of her gender. He was given education through the missionary school and he was able to explore the world in ways that were unacceptable for a young girl such as Tambu. Another contrasting feature that was highlighted in Dangerembga novel is that women are awarded an education, however still upholding to their primary tasks as women (3). Throughout the novel, it was also apparent that society thought it silly for women to seek any independency or success for themselves (3).
Of course in every culture there are exceptions to the norm like Hsi-liu in Chinese culture, was not eager to get married and was in fact highly specific in the qualifying men worthy of marriage. In the same altitude of deviation, Tambu sought individual success through education, with Maiguru being her inspiration to pursue such endeavors (3). Nigerian culture strongly highlights women loyalty through sacrifice for