Facing spouse Abuse in Thulani Mtshali’s Weemen

Abstract EN

Violence against women (VAW) and abuse are common themes that are frequently examined in literary work, particularly drama.

Abusive actions are practiced due to many reasons and causes: psychopathological, socio-cultural, and social-interactional.

Thus abuse fall within the two main categories (physical and mental abuse) under which many subcategories come.

Following certain psychological, social and literary perspectives, the present paper aims to thoroughly examine the spousal abuse (physical and mental) in the home environment and the defence mechanism that the wife uses in Thulani S.

Mtshali’s Weemen.

Trusting that theatre could challenge, educate and develop people, Mtshali wrote Weemen- which had been favourably reacted to in 1996- to reflect his aunt’s suffering with her husband and the similar cases in other families.

Thus, the play is a response to real life experiences that theatre, according to the playwright, must address in order to challenge people to think and eventually take actions in facing such ills in society.