Mirage of African Masculinity in Migritude Literature: A Study of Unoma Azuah’s Novel Edible Bones

Abstract

The concept of masculinity crisis has been a major motif in migritude literature. Bedevilled by the ghost of postcolonial experiences and cultural demands on the male character, the immigrant character in most of the migritude literature seesaws in a state of limbo. To most of the migrant characters, breaking from the shackles of poverty and developing an uptight economic muscle is the main determinant of their masculine identity. The protagonist in the novel Edible Bones suffers mental depression as a result of the pressure to radiate the acceptable masculine identity and the incongruity of the diasporic environment with his culture. The migration of the protagonist in the novel edible bones is motivated by a wild assumption of the west as the center of civilization, prosperity and generally the epitome of self fulfilment as espoused by the colonial master. This research paper, analyses the masculinity crisis in migritude literature, with a special reference to Unoma Azuah’s novel edible bones. Through the lenses of masculinity theory as espoused by Raewny Connel (2005), this study intends to unearth how the hyped individual and cultural expectations on immigrant characters, and the dissonance of migration environment plunge the African emigrant character into masculine crisis. Through the analysis of the migrant characters in the novel Edible Bones, this study explored the masculinity crisis the migrant character is engulfed in, as a result of the migration experience, which leaves him more vulnerable than before. The significance of this research paper is to create some awareness on mental depression prevalent in the contemporary male character in the African society in attempt to reinvent their masculine identity.