Patriarchy is a form of social organization in which a man is the head of the family and has all the power to control and be a dominant individual. Male dominance is a pervasive concept in society, but women have found a way to challenge this notion and overcome the difficulties of male elitism. In “Nervous Conditions” by Tsitsi Dangarembga focuses on the colonized African clan called the Sigauke clan. The novel examines the unequal power relations between men and women within the Sigauke clan, which is largely rooted in tradition. Women in history challenge practices of male domination; generally without success, but each of these women strives to question certain righteous decisions of the patriarch. Women also escape the role of servant and servility to the surprise of men. “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and “Things fell apart” by Chinua Achebe are very similar to the notion of women challenging male elitism. The narrator Tambu is culturally limited to roles that deny her the possibility of rising above domestic life. Tambu is trapped, which is illustrated when her mother says, "and these days it's worse, with black poverty on one side and the weight of womanhood on the other" (16). . Tambu’s story traces his struggles from his childhood; she has to cultivate the fields, fetch water from the Nyamarira River, take care of her younger brothers and sisters and cook for the family. Many of these roles have hindered his chances of going to school, while his brother, Nhamo, is able to study. He has the privilege of attending school even if the family has to survive. The relationship between Tambu and Nhamo is reduced to that of privileged and non-privileged. Nhamo has all the opportunities because...... middle of paper ......ie by men. Men always imagine that women are the housewives and take care of the children, while it is the men who go to work and bring food. This idea is contradicted in this story, many women play powerful roles that challenge men. Education is an important part of this, as knowledge becomes power and many women in history are educated. Another way women have challenged male domination is by standing up to them with their beliefs and standing up for themselves. Works CitedAchebe, Chinua. Things are falling apart. Ed. Edel Rodriquez. New York: Reed Consumer Books. 1994. Print 3-209Chopin, Kate. Awakening. Ed. Elaine Showalter. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 1992. Print 1-221Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous conditions. Ed. Holmes, Martha Stoddard. Oxfordshire: Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd, 2004. Print 1-208.