LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 25:7 July 2025
ISSN 1930-2940

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An Intersectional Analysis of Gender, Culture, and Identity in Neshani Andrea'sThe Purple Violet of Oshaantu

Dr. A. Ashmi

Abstract

Women experience marital subjectivity such as domestic violence, which is a prominent issue in the African continent. Male writers often overlook the issues faced by women in their society, instead focusing on social and political issues. African men treat women as inferior beings, primarily focusing on socio-political matters. Men treat women as inferior beings, and they endure significant suffering at the hands of men. The article examines the experiences of women in the patriarchal context of Namibia. Furthermore, the study analyses various forms of gender oppression and the psychological and emotional impacts of abusive relationships on women. This kind of oppression is caused by the lack of communication between the partners, which results in domestic violence. The article advocates for women's empowerment by drawing on Radical Feminist theory. The paper analyzes the various forms of oppression faced by women in Namibia's patriarchal society. By using Radical Feminist theory, the study highlights the victims who fail to understand their full potential, and the societal differences that prevent them from voicing out their issues or seeking assistance.

Keywords:Gender, culture, oppression, violence, feminism, women, victims

Introduction

The novel Purple Violet of Oshaantu, published in 2001, explores the friendship between two women, Mee Ali and Kauna. Their friendship is unlike any other bond; their relationship is truly unique. They lived in the village of Oshaantu, situated in Namibia. Mee Ali is a young woman with children. Mee Ali and Kauna are non-natives, and they have a strong and enduring bond that has lasted for many years. The narrative of their journey unfolds in a post-apartheid Namibia affected by issues like the HIV and AIDS crisis and domestic violence, which are notably present in Oshaantu.

The novel begins with Mee Ali sharing her gratitude and appreciation, praising ?mother,? symbolically representing nature, for providing ample food for the community in Oshaantu. One might suggest that the author's choice to start the story by honoring nature emphasizes its significance for human survival and existence. In the Oshiwambo culture, the household's duties, including raising children, primarily fall to women, as most men seek work far from their homes.

Young Kauna is the wife of Shange, and she married him when the purple violets bloomed in Oshaantu; hence, due to this critical occasion and her beauty as a new wife, she was referred to as ?the purple violet of Oshaantu?. The beauty is short-lived as Shange, the husband of Kauna, began to abuse and oppress her, and made things worse. Due to this, Kauna struggled to conceive a child immediately after they got married. This has also led her to become the target of mockery from her in-laws. Mee Ali, the first woman to marry in the village, is Kauna's sole friend and consistently tries to help her through the torment inflicted by her abusive husband, Shange, and his family. Additionally, she is the only woman who dares to confront Shange directly, scolding him, which puts an end to his physical abuse of Kauna. Nevertheless, the emotional torment persists. The whole village of Oshaantu is aware that Kauna lacks a loving and supportive husband. She finds herself trapped in a joyless marriage. Kauna has left Shange three times and returned to her parents, yet Shange always retrieves her with promises to her family that he will stop mistreating her. Shange goes out of his way to ensure that Kauna experiences no happiness.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. A. Ashmi
Assistant Professor
Department of English
Shri Krishnaswamy College for Women
Chennai, India
ashmianandaraj@gmail.com
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