Beyond Celebrating Womanhood and Breaking taboos: Navigating the Paradox of Gender Representation in Patrick Nwagbo Obi’s When Women Go Naked

Abstract

This study examines the playwright's perspective on gender, culture, and empowerment. Moving beyond the surface celebration of womanhood, this study closely looks at the contradictions inherent in the portrayal of gender dynamics within the play text. The methodology employed, entails a thorough analysis of the play's text, utilizing qualitative methods to dissect characterizations, dialogue, and thematic elements. The theoretical framework draws on feminist literary criticism or postulations to clarify the contradictions in the representation of women. Findings show instances where the intended celebration of womanhood inadvertently reinforces patriarchal biases. The justification for this study lies in its emphasis on the need for male playwrights to adopt a sustainable position that genuinely empowers women. Therefore, this study recommends that it is imperative for Nigerian plays, most especially those written by male dramatists to adopt a more favourable style in the treatment of issues affecting women. Hence, the need for some of these Nigerian male playwrights to reassess their viewpoints regarding gender, culture, and empowerment. This study advocates for the adoption of a sustainable position capable of challenging and rectifying the existing gender imbalances in present-day Nigerian society.