The Doubly Oppressed: The Portrayal of Female Characters in Mongo Beti’s The Poor Christ of Bomba

Abstract

This essay explores and analysis the condition of female characters in Mongo Beti’s novel, The Poor Christ of Bomba(1971). The paper argues that women in the novel’s settings are being oppressed and unjustly maltreated by both colonialists, spearheaded by Father Drumont, and by the native African culture. Thus, the concept of “double oppression” is suitable in demonstrating the theme of maltreatment and exploitation of women in the novel, and their roles in the society. The paper exposes the pretence, hypocrisy, insincerity and biasness of the Christian mission in respect to women issues such polygamy, adultery and other sundry issues.