African Culture, Occidental Civilization, and Wole Soyinka’s Gender Hypotheses in Childe Internationale

Abstract

The paper interrogates the effects of globalization on African culture in the specific context of marital and filial relationship, as Wole Soyinka conceives it in Childe Internationale. Globalization has spread Western (and Eastern) consciousness to Africa especially through the Internet and this has modified African culture in many ramifications. The study is anchored on Toril Moi’s Post-feminist principles, which contests the achievability of the feminist agenda, as theoretical framework. In Childe International Soyinka portrays the negative impact of Westernization on African conjugal relationship and gender roles. This consequently breaks parent-child bond and promotes youth counter-culture. This is represented in Wife’s been-to arrogance which elevates her feminist agenda. And this attitude guides Titi, their daughter, into breaking cultural norms along the route of disobedience of her father, Kotun. The frustration that Kotun experiences as a result of gender confrontation compels him to seek company and solace in Godwin, the cook, who is also a man. This suggests that intra-patriarchal camaraderie is substituting African women affection due to feminist aggression. This situation has been occasioned by the misconception and interpretation of the concept of Westernization and cultural globalization by the contemporary African women. Wole Soyinka further suggests that this cultural menace appears to be perpetual on two fronts. The first is Wife’s feminist onslaught which is being instilled in their daughter, Titi. And the second is that globalization will not relent in the sustenance of the presence of Western civilization in Africa. This indicates that contemporary African women need a re-conceptualization of Westernization to ease gender tension in Africa.