Towards A Mission: An Analysis of Ethnic Stereotype, Gender Relations, Themes and Characterisation in Julie Okoh’s Aishia

The work interrogated issues of ethnic stereotype, gender relations, theme and characterisation in Julie Okoh’s Aisha. The above concerns as evidently dramatised in Aisha are foundational issues that deter harmonious relationships in most marriages in society.   These issues that the playwright queries in her dramatic court pose as teething challenges to scholars, activists and marriage counselors in proffering lasting solutions to the problems.  It is on the above assertion that it becomes imperative for the researcher to carry out this investigation with a view to unraveling the immediate and remote causes of ethnic stereotype, gender inequality and other sundry inadequacies that create disharmony in marital institutions.  This will be examined and analysed in line with the presentation of the themes, characters and characterization in the play.   This is because themes and characters are vehicles that convey the playwright’s social vision, thought and motif.  To effectively analyse the topic under review, the work employs African feminist theory and feminist performance criticism as critical platforms for analysis.  This qualitative study explores analytical, literary and sociological approaches and methodology.   It is the modest recommendation of this research that obnoxious ethnic and gender stereotypes should be discouraged in society in order to cultivate a genuine marital relationships devoid of bias and acrimony.

Keywords: Mission, Theme, Gender Relationships, Drama/Theatre and Analysis.