THE DARING PROTAGONISTS IN ODAFE ATOGUN’S WAKE ME WHEN I’M GONE AND AKIN ADEBOWALE’S THE LONELY DAYS

Abstract

The Nigerian fictional writers have displayed remarkable artistic skills in over half of a century. They have helped amplify some of the cultural injustices that have remained endemic in the country. Some of these include the unfair treatment doled out to widows and orphans. Odafe Atogun and Bayo Adebowale in Wake Me When I’m Gone and Lonely Days respectively have utilized female protagonists of valour who are determined to obliterate all injustices meted out to widows and orphans in their fictional domains. While Atogun’s female central character, Ese, is determined to tackle the ill treatments of widows and orphans, Adebowale’s female protagonist Yaremi’s interest is only in the fight for a fair treatment of the widows. The Socialism Feminism literary theory is the literary instrument of interrogation of these novels. In conclusion, the two novelists ably and skilfully use effective plot developments to score vital points that female personalities in fictional and real Nigerian societies can radically and positively bring about changes that are profound.