COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GENDERED ECO-ACTIVISM IN IMBOLO MBUE’S HOW BEAUTIFUL WE WERE AND BEN OKRI’S EVERY LEAF A HALLELUJAH

Abstract

As the fight against ecological crisis became more intense in the 21st century, gendered voices have gained prominence in African literature. In the fiction genre, novels such as  How Beautiful We Were and Every Leaf A Hallelujah have typified this trend. While existing critiques of these novels tend to focus on the consequences of environmental degradation, they fail to recognise the complexity of gender dynamics in eco-activism. This paper addresses the gap by undertaking a comparative study of gendered voices in eco-activism, demonstrating how societal gender attitudes intersect with environmental concerns. This study adopts a qualitative comparative approach, employing ecofeminist and postcolonial ecocritical lenses to analyse gendered eco-activism. Using character juxtaposition as a comparative literary method, the analysis juxtaposes key female characters, Thula and Mangoshi, with male figures, Excellency, Wajo Beki, and the Manager. Through the analysis, the paper finds that women are portrayed as more committed, organised, and effective eco-activists while men on the other hand, are depicted as neocolonial agents conniving with multinational corporations in causing environmental degradation, with their actions motivated by greed, corruption and individualism. Drawing on ecofeminist and postcolonial ecocritical perspectives, the paperhallenges patriarchy's denial of women's authority and leadership despite their proven potential to lead and deliver results. It submits that nature’s conservation and women's emancipation from patriarchy are two projects that intertwine. The article recommends acknowledging environmental crisis as a gendered issue and advocates the importance of women's participation in decision-making, especially in environmental policy, considering their closer relationship with nature.