A Feminist Critique of Patriarchal Violence and Resilience in Adaobi Tricia Nwabauni's I Do Not Come to You by Chance and Lola Shoneyin's the Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives.

Student: Hadiza Rufai Umar (Project, 2025)
Department of English and Literary Studies
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Abstract

ABSTRACT
This project offers a feminist critique of Lola Shoneyin's The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives and Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani's I Do Not Come To You By Chance, focusing on the pervasive dominance of patriarchy in the African Society, where men remain domineering and women are rendered submissive. The study begins by tracing the background on feminism, patriarchal violence, resilience, and brief biography of both authors and theoretical framework. The project delves into themes of patriarchal oppression, resilience, matriarchal dimensions and gender inequality. Through a detailed analysis of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, the project delves into themes of polygamy, rape, infertility, and illiteracy, examining how these elements shape the characters actions and the progression of the narration. The subsequent analysis of I Do Not Come To You By Chance highlights the forces at play in the portrayal of gender inequality, stereotypes and patriarchal violence. A comparative analysis of both texts is presented in the final chapter as it brings together the key issues addressed in this project.

Keywords
patriarchal project violence resilience chance secret lives wives analysis feminist
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