Pragma –Stylistic Analysis of the Ideologies of Women in Selected Novels of Nwapa and Adimora- Ezeigbo

Abstract

In the African context, specifically in the Nigerian society, women are labeled with a self- effacing identity and a societal effeminate induced status which relegate them to the background in virtually all spheres of life. This attitude of scum about women has gradually permeated their psyche, resulting to their acceptance of this ideology (by words and actions) and making them vulnerable to male subjugation and dominance. The study uses language to project the intrinsic and outer feelings of women in relation to their individual and societal experiences and further assesses the extent to which women have aided in male dominance .The methodology used is the descriptive survey design, with little quantitative analysis. The study adopts an eclectic theoretical framework of both John Searle’s theory of Speech Act and Teun Van Dijk theory of Ideology. Four novels written by two Nigerian female writers namely - Idu and One is Enough by Flora Nwapa; The Last of the Strong Ones and House of Symbols by Akachi Adimora-Ezigbo respectively ; have been used as the primary data for the work with a view to projecting the ideological stance of women, based on the perceptions of these authors. The findings of the study are: (i) women have resisted dominance in subtle ways; but their mental construct based on societal ideology, anchored on male patriarchy have made it difficult for them to be fully emancipated. (ii)) The novels studied, present different ideological stance of women but all, pointing to the condemnation of male dominance. (iii) The authors of the works studied, assert the uniqueness of women in the society and advocate complimentarity of gender roles. The conclusion of the study advocates that women should first appreciate their uniqueness, sensitize themselves mentally that they are not inferior to their male counterparts; and through their linguistic nuances, assert and rightly assume their significant roles as women and mothers in the society.