Anowa and Othello are both complex texts that show a strong belief in the importance of masculinity along with honor. There is an understanding of gender roles in these texts, a sense of deceit, and rebelliousness. Anowa rebels against her parent’s wishes and marries a ‘pretty boy’ so that she is able to live the way she wishes. As the story escalates, Kofi Ako (her husband) begins to change. Desdemona rebels against her parent’s wishes and marries a soldier named Othello. Iago tricks Othello and convinces Othello to commit an unimaginable deed that ends in tragedy. Throughout both stories, there is a lack of trust and honesty along with communication. The key to the downfall of all of the relationships in these stories was a lack of trust/honesty,
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Anowa’s mother (Badua) is dissatisfied with her daughter and how she acts. Women played a specific role, and they were expected to stay home, clean, and be quiet. Badua desires for Anowa to be normal, marry, have children, and tend to the farm. Anowa’s father (Osam) expresses his opinion that Anows should be a priestess, but Badua is too ashamed to consider allowing Anowa to become a priestess. Badua says, “I want my child/ To be a human woman/ Marry a man, / Tend a farm / And be happy to see her / Peppers and her onions grow. / A woman like her / Should bear children, / So she can afford to have/ One or two die. / Should she not take / Her place at meetings / Among the men and women of the clan? / And sit on my chair when I am gone? / And a captainship in the army, / Should not be beyond her / When the time is ripe!” (Aidoo, 84). Priestesses were unusual, and the community separated themselves from them. Anowa eventually marries Kofi Ako so that she can help him with work, and live according to what makes her happy. When her parents found out, Badua she expressed that she thinks Kofi Ako is a fool, cowardly, financially unstable, and not masculine. If Anowa was allowed to be more open about her feelings and do what she wanted, this rebellion probably would not have happened. Anowa was dissatisfied with her life, so she rebelled. This resulted in the downfall of her and her …show more content…
Kofi Ako begins to dress in fancier clothes, and gives all of his work to his slaves. Anowa remains silent although her dissatisfaction in her life increases. She wants to work, and Kofi Ako becomes more feminine and lazy. Anowa asks, “How can a human being rest all the time? I cannot.” (Aidoo, 106). They have not had any children, and Kofi Ako insinuates that Anowa is infertile. Eventually, Kofi Ako reveals that he is infertile. This devastates Anowa, and she loses the trust she has in her husband. In the moment, she becomes exceedingly
Anowa’s mother (Badua) is dissatisfied with her daughter and how she acts. Women played a specific role, and they were expected to stay home, clean, and be quiet. Badua desires for Anowa to be normal, marry, have children, and tend to the farm. Anowa’s father (Osam) expresses his opinion that Anows should be a priestess, but Badua is too ashamed to consider allowing Anowa to become a priestess. Badua says, “I want my child/ To be a human woman/ Marry a man, / Tend a farm / And be happy to see her / Peppers and her onions grow. / A woman like her / Should bear children, / So she can afford to have/ One or two die. / Should she not take / Her place at meetings / Among the men and women of the clan? / And sit on my chair when I am gone? / And a captainship in the army, / Should not be beyond her / When the time is ripe!” (Aidoo, 84). Priestesses were unusual, and the community separated themselves from them. Anowa eventually marries Kofi Ako so that she can help him with work, and live according to what makes her happy. When her parents found out, Badua she expressed that she thinks Kofi Ako is a fool, cowardly, financially unstable, and not masculine. If Anowa was allowed to be more open about her feelings and do what she wanted, this rebellion probably would not have happened. Anowa was dissatisfied with her life, so she rebelled. This resulted in the downfall of her and her …show more content…
Kofi Ako begins to dress in fancier clothes, and gives all of his work to his slaves. Anowa remains silent although her dissatisfaction in her life increases. She wants to work, and Kofi Ako becomes more feminine and lazy. Anowa asks, “How can a human being rest all the time? I cannot.” (Aidoo, 106). They have not had any children, and Kofi Ako insinuates that Anowa is infertile. Eventually, Kofi Ako reveals that he is infertile. This devastates Anowa, and she loses the trust she has in her husband. In the moment, she becomes exceedingly