A MALE DECONSTRUCTION OF THE PATRIARCHAL WORLDVIEW IN FESTUS OKWEKWE’S OUR MOTHER IS NOT A WOMAN and SECONDCLASS BREEDS

This study delves into Festus Okwekwe’s poetry collections, Our Mother Is Not a Woman and Second Class Breeds, which serve as a powerful critiques of the patriarchal worldview prevalent within Igbo society and across Nigeria. These works expose the multifaceted nature of gender inequality, highlighting the subjugation of women, the rigid enforcement of traditional gender roles, and the resulting imbalances of power. Through a combination of stark realism and evocative imagery, Okwekwe’s poems depict the consequences of patriarchal dominance, focusing on women's experiences of marginalization, exploitation, and violence. The collections challenge the notion of women as mere objects or possessions, disrupting the prevailing narratives that define women solely through their reproductive capacity and domestic roles. The collections employ a range of poetic techniques, including metaphor, symbolism, and narrative voice, to deconstruct oppressive structures and expose their inherent contradictions. Okwekwe’s poetry doesn't merely represent the struggles of women; it actively engages with the sources of their oppression, offering a platform for resistance and the envisioning of more equitable gender relations.