Female Resistance in Alice Walker’s Possessing The Secret of Joy

Abstract

This dissertation examines Tashi’s resistance to African ritual in Alice Walker’s Possessing The Secret of Joy. The novel revolves around an African woman, whose life changes after she undergoes circumcision, an ancient African tradition of female genital mutilation. The protagonist, Tashi, fights against the tradition of female circumcision, which is deeply rooted in Olinka village. She undergoes female circumcision in the name of cultural heritage. This ritual almost destroys her emotionally and physically. Her psychological tension along with her repressed memories of her sister Dura’s death due to the very same ritual encourages her to kill M’Lissa. This murder stands for her resistance and the black women’s struggle against tradition. This courageous woman’s fight against the patriarchal society leads her to selfhood and self-determination.