The woman as a character in D.T. Mtywaku's Drama Ufeziwe okanye inkohlakalo

Abstract

This article explores a crucial aspect of the culturally-determined role that women have been forced to assume in Xhosa society. D.T. Mtywaku's drama uFeziwe okanye inkohlakalo is examined for this purpose. The analysis and the interpretation of this drama is undertaken with specific reference to the depiction of women characters. The playwright under study advocates change through the powerful forces of gender stereotypes and cultural distortions. The attributes that the playwright ascribes to women characters are passivity, irrationality, compliancy and incorrigibility. An examination of the reasons behind this proliferation of these female stereotypes and the lack of realistic women characters is explored. The article posits reasons why particular stereotypes appear in the work of the playwright. The growth and change of other characters in the drama that bring out qualities or distinctive features in the women characters will also be explored. This entails an analysis of the characters' early traits and how these change or develop in order to establish whether there are indications in drama through the depictions of women that perceptions on their cultural role and status are undergoing changes.