Overview of the Book

The book explores the twin concepts, Womanbeing and Womanself. Using novels written by black women in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean, the book illustrates how the characters live out their lives either in a state of womanbeing or in a state of womanself or both.

Literary and Theoretical Foundations

To illustrate the twin concepts, the author draws from a work by Jean Paul Sartre, titled Being and Nothingness. The author also theorizes on the origin of inequalities between men and women and how that led to the dominance of men over women.

Gender Dynamics and Societal Implications

The author also claims that women perpetuate the subordinate position of women, unwittingly accepting the assertion by men that women are weak and need the guidance and protection of men.