Gendered Power Relations As Expressed In Selected Ewe Proverbs

Abstract

Drawing on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as theorized by Fairclough, Van Dijk, and Wodak, this thesis attempts a detailed analysis of proverbs in Ewe which describe, prescribe and circumscribe ways of being male and female. Forty (40) selected proverbs, grouped into four categories, are analysed under three stages in Fairclough’s model: the Descriptive, Interpretive and Explanational stages. The literary and linguistic features of the proverbs and their socio-cultural contexts are discussed under the various stages in order to unravel the nuances embedded in them as regards gendered power relations. Critical Discourse Analysis serves as the analytical framework with other related concepts such as patriarchy, social construction of gender, hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity as a backdrop for discussions.