SPINSTERS IN A WHIRLWIND: GENDER POLITICS IN ADEGBITE’S ECHOES OF YESTERYEARS

Abstract

Coping with a rapidly changing increasing complex society is a difficult and perplexing task. An increasing number of lifestyles have thus come about and have in turn created new conflicts. It appears that spinsters are generally moving away from the rigid attitudes and behaviour of the past and moving toward greater openness to personal expression in behaviour, thought and living styles. This article examines Oyindamola obsession with becoming Kolawole’s wife at whatever cost and Omaladun’s cold calculating schemes in the battle line drawn between herself and Kolawole, after her friend’s death on being jilted by Kolawole. It berates spinsterhood at its negative extreme, subtly hinting that situations need not break spinsters or make them desperate to the point of being branded insane. Even if they have lost grounds on the love arena, they should not resort to vengeance but should realize that troubles refine us; when we came out of troubles, we are better in our knowledge and understanding of creation. The main objective and purpose of this work is to illuminate the element of reality found in fiction and fictional writings