17th Annual Student Research Conference
Language & Literature
A Call to Action: Working Towards Gender Equality in Changes
Erin S. Silva
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
In Ama Ata Aidoo's novel Changes: A Love Story (1991), the female protagonist seeks to let her independent spirit flourish and satisfy her need for love at the same time. In her attempt to mesh her modern mind-set with societal tradition, she finds herself in a state of dislocation. The protagonist's estrangement stems from her absence from her motherland due to her education abroad, which molds her to believe in gender equality. In truth, the male characters continue to embrace supremacy within the family and the workplace. In this paper, I will examine the ways in which the women in the novel continue to suffer under masculine domination. Aidoo addresses the feminist issues of her homeland through the differing mentalities of the characters, and extends an invitation to her fellow citizens of Ghana to bring about a social change that would recognize the importance of gender equality.
Keywords: Postcolonial, Ghana, Ama Ata Aidoo, Feminism
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 7-5
Location: VH 1304
Time: 9:30