L'intersection du genre et de la classe dans la littérature africaine francophone: une analyse des voix féminines en matière de lutte pour la justice sociale dans Une si longue lettre de Mariama Ba

Abstract This article dives into the intricate relationship between gender and social class in Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter (1979), which stands as a significant piece of Francophone African women's literature. By tapping into the ideas of African feminism and intersectionality, the study reveals how women, despite facing the challenges posed by patriarchal, religious, and socioeconomic systems, find ways to amplify their voices and come together for social justice. It highlights the crucial roles of education, female solidarity, and storytelling as forms of resistance. Drawing on the insights of influential thinkers like bell hooks, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Awa Thiam, Obioma Nnaemeka, Fatou Sow, Aminata Diaw, and other African and diasporic theorists, the article illustrates how Mariama Bâ crafts a critical narrative about the status of women in a postcolonial Senegal, which is still deeply affected by discriminatory social norms. The study sheds light on the complexities of women's experiences at the crossroads of social class and gender, while emphasizing the strength of women's voices as powerful tools for both personal and collective change. This work enriches our understanding of the power dynamics present in contemporary Francophone African literature. Keywords: African feminism, intersectionality, social class, women's narrative, social justice.