Abstract:
This paper examines feminism in Ken Bugul's works vis-à-vis her apparent acceptance of polygamy. The
study focuses essentially on the portrayal of Yadaba, the narrator in Riwan ou le chemin de sable who
accepted to become the twenty-eighth wife of an old marabout after she returned from her unsuccessful
adventure in Europe. Following this strange marriage, some critics argued that Bugul endorses polygamy.
This paper proves that the choice of a narrator who embraces polygamy, albeit anti-feminist, is due to
repression of unsatisfied personal desires traceable to the writer's frustrations in her social and emotional
life rather than a deliberate act of endorsing the practice. Our analysis is grounded on the Psychoanalytic
Theory of Sigmund Freud and Charles Mauron. This theory enabled us to explore the role of the
subconscious on the psychological and emotional state of the writer visible in the two works under study.University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh
Data was gathered principally from Riwan ou le chemin de sable and De l'autre côté du regard.
Nevertheless, other academic publications were also included in our discussion to prove that the decision
of Ken Bugul to intrude into a polygamous home is the manifestation her psychological depression as a
result of personal experiences. Thus, her seemingly apologetic attitude towards polygamy is only a
manifestation from her other self which is independent of her stance as a committed writer.
