Sexual Orientation in Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater and the Death of Vivek Oji

ABSTRACT This study investigates sexual orientation in Akwaeke Emezi's Freshwater and The Death of Vivek Oji. Using Queer Theory and Gender Performativity theories, the study examines how Emezi challenges traditional norms, emphasizing the fluidity of identity within the African context. Both novels highlight the complexities of self-identity and the challenges faced by queer individuals within Africa. In Freshwater, the protagonist Ada grapples with her "Ogbanje" identity, influenced by spirits, and her dynamic sexual and gender expressions. Similarly, in The Death of Vivek Oji, Vivek struggles with societal and familial expectations regarding his gender identity. Both characters' journeys underscore the pervasive influence of cultural conditioning and the resistance they face in asserting their non-conforming identities. Through symbolic and thematic exploration, the novels advocate for identity fluidity and diverse expressions of sexuality. The texts highlight the ongoing struggle for acceptance and understanding in African societies. This study concludes that Emezi's novels contribute significantly to the discourse on sexual orientation by presenting characters whose identities are in constant flux and who resist easy categorization. Furthermore, selected texts portray the importance of recognizing and respecting diverse sexual orientations and challenge societal norms that marginalize non-heteronormative identities. Readers are urged to embrace queerness and appreciate the intricate complexities of sexual orientation and identity. This study, therefore, recommends that LGBTQ+ rights in societies depicted in these novels should be intensified, using literature as a tool to promote empathy and awareness.