WIDOWHOOD AS A BLESSING: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF YAREMI'S CHARACTER IN BAYO ADEBOWALE'S LONELY DAYS

Widowhood, whether for the woman (a widow) or the man (a widower) is, under normal circumstances, not something to be desired. It is an 'abnormal' condition or circumstance even though the end of all mortals on earth is separation from one another through death. Humanly speaking, the loss of a loved one is a painful experience even when the deceased has lived “a long and satisfied life”, and regardless of the hope of life here after. Widowhood proceeds from marriage. A husband dies leaving a wife (and a child or children) behind, or vice versa. However it happens, it is a deep cut in the life pattern of the couple and family. Expectedly, it comes with both pleasant and unpleasant consequences. This is the paradox. Pleasant consequences of widowhood revolve around changes in the widow's character and perception. It is these changes that are explored in this study, using the textual analysis method. Analysis of the text under consideration reveals that the authorial voice is making a case for protest over a male –dominated patriarchal society. The feminist movement kicks against social, political, legal, economic and cultural practices that have for centuries hindered women's realization of their productive and creative potentials or capabilities.