AFRICAN LITERATURE AND HOMOSEXUALITY IN ACHMAT DANGOR’S BITTER FRUIT

Abstract

Feminism and masculinity are significant themes in gender studies, whereas queer studies, which were long suppressed, are now gaining increasing attention in the West. On the other hand, homosexuality has not gotten much creative or critical attention in Africa. As a consequence, the lack of relevant literature would be filled by this study. Any same-sex relationship, from phatic communication to sensual communion and marriage, is considered to be gay, and this encompasses lesbianism, homosexuality and bisexuality. The condition is also categorized as psychopathological. The aim of this study was to examine how homosexuality is portrayed in Achmat Dangor's Bitter Fruit, the factors that contribute to a favourable or unfavourable portrayal, and how heterosexuals and homosexuals view one another. The work incorporated queer and psychological theories. The study found that the selected wording stigmatizes gays and came to the conclusion that homosexuality is still mostly a closet problem even if it exists throughout Africa