CHALLENGES OF MASCULINITY IN CHIGOZIE OBIOMA’S AN ORCHESTRA OF MINORITIES AND ELNATHAN JOHN’S BORN ON A TUESDAY

This research reveals the complex nature of manhood in the context of contemporary Nigerian society by examining the challenges of masculinity in Chigozie Obioma's An Orchestra of Minorities and Elnathan John's Born on a Tuesday. Through a detailed analysis of the texts and with insights from masculinity studies and gender performativity, the project delves into how the characters struggle against, the rigid and traditional expectations of masculinity that emphasise strength, emotional restraint, and financial provision. The project emphasises that masculinity is a dynamic social construct that experiences crises when control, financial stability, and external validation are endangered by analysing the challenging pathways of Chinonso and Dantala. The study challenges the conventional belief that equates male strength with physical dominance or emotional suppression, shedding light on the vulnerabilities and futility inherent in a masculine identity built on violence and superficial measures of success. In the
end, the research advocates for a deeper and more compassionate understanding of manhood, the one that recognises the emotional complexities, psychological demands, and significant influence of socio-political circumstances on men's lives.