Violence against Girls: A Feminist Perspective on Nuruddin Farah’s From a Crooked Rib

Abstract

In most African societies, there are discernable cultural definitions of power relations which could result to gender-based violence such as gender roles, sexual violence, gender discrimination, stereotypes and cultural prejudices against a particular gender. Indeed, cultural definitions of gender affect the ability of the female gender to integrate socially in society. This creates a feeling of powerlessness which leaves girls and women psychologically depressed or traumatized. Based on this feeling of powerlessness, Nuruddin Farah’s From a Crooked Rib is explored to expose various forms of violence that may not be idyllic for girls. Feminist ideologies are employed to interpret experiences and the strategies used by the girl protagonist to revolt against patriarchal subjugation. This paper also adopts some psychoanalytical concepts in interpreting experiences.