‘Could the Subaltern Speak?’ Patriarchy and Gender-Based Violence in Ben Okri’s Dangerous Love

In a patriarchal society, women are, on the most part, the least representative in socio-political and economic spheres. They are frequently considered as second-class citizens, and live in the shadow of their male counterparts. They are portrayed as commodities, objects that satisfy men’s needs while being used as sex toys, cooks, servants, housewives and housemaids. They face various forms of violence and abuse as far as they are seen as sub-humans. In a society trapped in a web of traditional, cultural and religious beliefs, women’s plights and sufferings are often overlooked and ignored. By utilizing a feminist lens, the violation of women’s basic rights is explored in Ben Okri’s Dangerous Love (1996). The issues of domestic violence, traditional marriage, sexual abuse, poverty and discrimination are tackled. Key Words: Violence, Gender, Patriarchy, Forced Marriage, Human Rights