Images of Female Ambition in Michael Afenfia’s Rain Can Never Know

Abstract

Female ambition does not follow a particular trend of dominance over men, but rather takes on various forms, means, and attendant achievements. When this is represented in literary texts it forces a recreation and agreeable imitation of the society. Reading and analysis of Michael Afenfia’s text, Rain Can Never Know points to this fact, but the novel has not received the critical attention it deserves. This paper, therefore, examines these female characters closely, focusing on their ambition and its nature; how their minds shape it, the practical steps they take and their ultimate achievements due to their aspiration. An analytical method is employed as well as the employment of a hybridised theory: psychoanalytical feminism. The analysis suggests that two forms of ambition are present: the goal to be independent and to be securely dependent. Achieving these goals takes different forms and paths of intelligent hard work, betrayal, stealing, and unwavering support. Outcomes are divided between arguable success and complete failure. In light of these, the portrayal of ambition challenges anti-feminist motifs in literature, where there is one fully developed female character and other female characters who remain two-dimensional throughout the text.