Gender Issues in Nervous Conditions Term Paper

This shows that the society is when where women are seen as weak and powerless.

Another impact of linking all conflicts to femaleness is that it means that the other qualities of women are ignored. It does not matter whether a woman is intelligent, capable, determined, or any other qualities. The fact that someone is a female makes her a lesser person and this is something that cannot be changed. This means that no matter how many good qualities or abilities a woman has, she cannot change her place in society. This creates a society where there is no point for a woman to even try and achieve anything, since her basic femaleness is the one thing that cannot be changed and the one thing that defines her.

Finally, the statement shows how women are considered inferior to males. This is shown be the way that Tambu refers to "femaleness as opposed to and inferior to maleness." This statement shows that not only are men and women considered different, but they are considered opposites.At the same time, everything that is valued in a person is considered to be male, where everything that is not valued is considered to be female. In effect, men are superior and women are inferior. This basic belief is something that women cannot fight against since simply being female makes their opinion unimportant. This means that women remain powerless in the society. The belief in society that men are superior also means that simply being male makes a man better regardless of any other characteristics. This works in the same way as it does for women, with a man important even if he has little intelligence, ability, or any other positive characteristic. This establiahes the main gender issues expressed in the novel.

This shows how Tambu's statement expresses the gender issues present in the African society, shows the place of males and females in the society, and expresses why Tambu dislikes these beliefs.

Works Cited

Dangarembga, T. Nervous Conditions. Seattle, WA: The Seal Press,….....