Domination and Sexual Objectification: A Study of Ifeanyi Ajaegbo’s Sarah House

Abstract

Literature is a mirror of society. This is because it reflects the human day to day experiences of people in their various phases of existence. In Nigeria, its patriarchal nature has created asymmetric gender roles that are marked by hierarchy and domination. This system of social stratification and differentiation on the basis of sex provides material advantages that enable men to dominate women while simultaneously placing severe constraints on the roles and activities of women. As a result of their socio-economic conditions which infringe on their dreams and desire for a better life, some Nigerian women long for a change, especially with globalization. They become desperate to leave their country but fall prey to traffickers who coerce them into prostitution. Prostitution becomes a situation where men have reduced women to an image of being mere sexual objects. This paper therefore examines the domination and sexual objectification of women in prostitution using Ifeanyi Ajaegbo’s Sarah House. The novel exposes the socio-economic conditions of Nigerian women and their harrowing experiences in Nigeria as prostitutes. The paper adopts radical feminist theory which sees the female body as a sexual object; consumable item that is for sale making men to subordinate women. The research methodology is qualitative. The paper discovers that globalization, gender inequality and poverty render Nigerian women vulnerable to trafficking and prostitution. The paper conclude that the Nigerian government should create job opportunities so as to alleviate poverty through reformation and rehabilitation programs, public enlightenment, sports and cultural activities, arrests any procurer or trafficker, and introduce sex education in the curriculum of secondary schools and tertiary institutions.