Author(s): Bazimaziki Gabriel

Abstract: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye", (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince). This study consists of literary criticism in Eat African poetry with particular interest in Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino under feminist approach. The study has explored the theme of oppression, women right violation specifically because of human nature of weaknesses coupled with wickedness geared by ignorance for self- destruction in favour of the outsider, modernity being at the heart of the problem. It has been found that Lawino’s husband, Ocol, over-civilised until he now rejected his tradition. Clementine won totally Ocol to the detriment of Lawino, a traditional woman, whose accusations to the clansmen is revealing the role of the clan in the settlement of the house conflict in African tradition. The study showed how human society is paved with temptations and traps coupled with attractions that may lead to family destruction by the outsiders depicted in the image of Clementine as a modern beautiful wife. Since Feminist theory posits that women should be free from men- the oppressors, that women can become what they want if given their right, this paper ranges among the foundation laid for human rights respect for the sake of the oppressed among different societies.

Keywords: Literature, tradition, human society, characters, mirror, liberal feminism, modernity, conservatism, women oppression.

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.3.1.8