PSYCHOANALYTIC FEMINIST TRAJECTORIES IN NADIFA MOHAMED’S BLACK MAMBA BOY

Abstract

This paper examines the pervasive influence of patriarchy and its
impact on female voices in Nadifa Mohamed’s Black Mamba Boy
through the theoretical framework of psychoanalytic feminism. The
problem addressed is the persistent marginalization and silencing of
women in patriarchal societies, which is vividly depicted in
Mohamed’s narrative. The study seeks to uncover the unconscious
psychological mechanisms and societal structures that contribute to
gender oppression, as well as to explore the ways in which the novel
critiques these dynamics. Specifically, it investigates how the female
characters navigate their silenced positions within familial and
societal contexts and examines the broader implications of this
silencing on their identity and agency. Using the psychoanalytic
feminist theories of Julia Kristeva, Luce Irigaray, and Nancy
Chodorow, the research identifies the intersections of trauma,
gender, and identity in the novel. The findings reveal that the
silencing of women in the text reflects entrenched patriarchal norms
that marginalize feminine voices, while also exposing the
psychological toll of these dynamics on both men and women.
Furthermore, the study highlights moments of resistance and
subversion, where female characters assert their agency despite
systemic oppression. By foregrounding these themes, the paper
contributes to an understanding of how literature can serve as a
critique of patriarchal systems and a platform for amplifying
marginalized voices. This analysis underscores the enduring                                                                                                               relevance of feminist discourse in examining the complexities of
gender and power in contemporary African literature.