Women in crime: A reader-response analysis of Femi Osofisan’s Once upon Four Robbers

Abstract

This study examines female characters as agents of criminal activities in Femi Osofisan’s Once upon Four Robbers. The study relies on insights from Wolfgang Iser’s Reader- -Response Theory (RRT). Drawing data from twelve purposively selected excerpts from the text, the study argues that Osofisan connects the reader’s knowledge in constructing women as agents of crime. Women’s involvement in crime is constructed through their activities in organised and strategic robbery, engagement of sexual ploys and illicit market transactions. The depiction of women’s criminal activities in the text portrays the connection between Osofisan’s art and his literary commitment.

Keywords

• women’s criminalities
• crimes in Nigeria
• armed robbery
• Reader-Response Theory (RRT)
• Femi Osofisan