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SHE NO LONGER WEEPS, A RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE PART 1


Dangarembga's critical stance towards religion is evident in the text She No Longer Weeps not only through the use of aptronyms but also through overtones that reflect religious ideologies. Rather than cherrypicking issues, Dangarembga's holistic analysis of the society brings out the subtle dimensions that converge at some point and disenfranchise women. 

Christianity (the church) is portrayed as an extended arm of misogyny. It is ironic that the church seem to be violating one of the fundamental principles of Christianity. When expected to embrace the afflicted, it does the opposite. Mathrah's father, the character who predominantly represents the church is only concerned about how the society will view him. When he says, "How can I preach when my daughter behaves like this?" He is proving that he is a narcissist and a selfish person. His ego blinds him and as such, he fails to live up to the ideals of Christianity. 

The church is also seen as a driver of oppression. Martha's father regards it a blessing that his wife is "clam" and "content". Religion frowns at women such as Martha who challenge the status quo. Moralisation of rebellion facilitates labelling and ostracisation of women who standup for their rights. When Martha informs her father that she cannot cohabitate with Freddy, she is regarded as a social misfit and a mentally disturbed person. The emphatic statement by her father, "She is truly mad", indicates how insensitive and empty her father is. Thus Martha's father validates the assertion that organised religion is a social construct as it is modified by human behaviour. According to Dangarembga, tradition, culture and religion are inseparable and all these forces work together to perpetuate oppression of women.

Dangarembga's purpose is not to portray Christianity from a negative perspective but to show how individuals within religious systems can be corrupted by the positions and authority they are entrusted with. The salvific effect of religion diminishes when selfishness triumphs. The biblical allusion of Samson demonstrates that religion is a force that can redeem humankind from adversaries. Just as the biblical Samson who kills Philistines in order to deliver Israelites, Martha seeks help from elsewhere in order emancipate  herself from the oppressive patriarchal regime. 


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