Symbolic characters and class struggles in Ngugi’s wa Thiongo’s Petals of Blood

https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v2i2.831
Published: Feb 22, 2022

Abstract:

Purpose: Every piece of art must, without a doubt, make a statement about itself. This is due to the fact that the more attractive something is, the more symbolic it becomes. Almost all works of art have multiple interpretations. Every great work of literature contains symbols, which add depth, meaning, strength, and dexterity to the work.

Research methodology: Two theoretical frameworks, postcolonial and Marxist literary theories, guided the analysis. And this is a qualitative study.

Results: The results of this investigation demonstrate that colonial injustice and unmodified colonial institutions and policies are the most enduring issue of Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s literary exploitation.

Limitations: The study is limited to one novel and which is Petals of Blood of Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, written after the post-independence of Kenya.

Contribution: Finally, the study found that people are aware of their rulers' actions and are plotting a revolt to break free from the elite's grasp. And it proposes viable answers to their political and socioeconomic problems, such as revolution, not just in Kenya but throughout Africa.

Keywords:
1. African leaders
2. Marxism
3. Personalities
4. Post-colonial
5. Symbolism
Authors:
Stanley Ordu
Chaps, Omoku in Rivers of Nigeria, Nigeria
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How to Cite
Ordu, S. (2022). Symbolic characters and class struggles in Ngugi’s wa Thiongo’s Petals of Blood. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 2(2), 129–139. https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v2i2.831
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Issue & Section
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2022): February
Articles
References

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  2. Aidoo, K. (2007). A love story. Oxford University Press.
  3. Amuta, C. (1986). Towards a sociology in African literature. Zim Pan-African Publishers.
  4. Amuta, C. (1989). The theory of African literature: Implications for practical criticism. Atlantic Highlands Press.
  5. Amuzu. K. (2004). Beyond ideology: Literary technique in Ngugi’s Petals of blood and Devil on the cross.Minerva Press.
  6. Balogun, O.F (1995). Ngugi’s Devil on the Cross: The novel as hagiography of a Marxist. Ufahamu, 16, 76-92.
  7. Bardolphe, J. (1987). Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Grain of Wheat and Petals of Blood: As readings of Conrad’s Under Western eyes and Victory. The Canadian, 12, 32-49.
  8. Bhabha, H. (2005). “Foreword: Framing Fanon.” The wreched of the earth.Groove Publishing
  9. Bitterli, U. (1989). Cultures in conflict: Encounters between European and non-European, 1492-1800. Polit: Oxford University Press.
  10. Cook, D. & Okenimkpe, D. (1997). Ngugi wa Thiong’o: An exploration of his writings. James Currey
  11. David, M. (2021). Relevance of Youth Representation through Political Proportion in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountablity Studies (1)1 29-41.
  12. Eagleton, T. (1976). Marxism and literary critism. Berkeley. University of Califonia Press.
  13. Eagleton, T. (2013). Why Marx was right. Yale University Press.
  14. Easterly, W. (1997). Africa’s growth tragedy: Politics and ethnic divisions. Quarterly Journal of Economics,112, 1203-1250.
  15. Fanon, F. (1986). Black skin, white masks. Pluto.
  16. Fanon, F. (Ed.). (1990). The wretched of the earth. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
  17. Fashina, N. O. (2009). Alienation and revolutionary vision in East African post-colonial dramatic literature. Ufahamu: A Journal of African Studies, 2(35). Retrivieved on 12 July 2013, from http/www. Escacholarship.org/uc/item/63k8d46k on July 8, 2015.
  18. Gikandi, S. (2000). Ngugi wa Thiong’o.: Cambridge University Press
  19. Godson, K. (2021). Leadership Styles and Employees’ Performance: A case of Family-owned Manufacturing Company, Cape Cost. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 3(2) 149-164.
  20. Grant, K. (1985). Marxism and African Literature.George M. Gugelberger Press.
  21. Gugler, J. (2011). How Ngugi wa Thiong’o shifted from class analysis to a neo-colonialist perspective. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 32(2), 329-339
  22. Herbst, J. (2000). States and power in Africa: Comparative lessons in authority and control. Princeton University Press.
  23. Hirshin, A (2021). Globalization, Islam Nusantra, and Contemporary Character empowerment Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 1(2) 79-89.
  24. Hobsbawm, E. (2011). How to change the world. Marx and Marxism 1840- 2011. Little, Brown.
  25. Killam, G.D (Ed.). (1984). Critical perspectives on Ngugi. Heinemann.
  26. Killam, G.D (Ed.). (1980). An introduction to the writings of Ngugi.: Heinemann.
  27. Knight, E. (1983). “Mirror of reality: The novels of Mwangi.” African Literature Today, 13, 150.
  28. Kubayanda, J. (2013). Dictatorship, oppression and new realism. Research in African Literatures, 21(2) 5-12
  29. Kurtz, R. (1998). Urban obsessions urban fears: Postcolonial Kenyan novels. Oxford, UK.
  30. La Guma, (1986). The stone country. Heinemann. James Currey
  31. Mahammad, R, and Seyed, A. (2021). Examining the Quality of Work Life: empirical testing Indicator in the Public Organization. Journal of Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 1(2) 99-111.
  32. Matigari, M. (1989). The centre cannot hold: Two views of the periphery. In Slemon, S. & H.
  33. Melakneh, P. G. (2008). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. SAGE Publications.
  34. Mushengezi, A. (2003). Twentieth century literary theory. Mukono Bookshop Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.
  35. Mwaura, N. (2005). Kenya today: Breaking the yoke of colonialism in Africa. Algoa.
  36. Nyanze, K. (2014). An open letter to African Union heads of state. New Era, p.14
  37. Ogude, J. (1999). Ngugi’s novel and the African history: Narrating the nation. Pluto Press
  38. Ousmane, S. (1983). Last of the empire. Heinemann.
  39. Sonyika, W. (1994). The open score of a continent. Vintage Books.
  40. Sonyika, W. (1999). From ghetto to Garrison: A chronic case of Orisunitis. Research in African Literatures, 30(4), 19-23
  41. Uwasomba, C. (2006). The politics of resistance and liberation in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Petals of Blood and Devil on the cross. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 6(1), 94-105
  42. Wa Thiong’o, N. (1977). Petals of Blood E.P Dutton.
  43. Wa Thiong’o, N. (1982). Barrel of a pen: Resistance to repression in neo-colonial Kenya. African World Press.
  44. Wa Thiong’o, N. (2009). Something torn and new: An African renaissance.Basic Civitas Books.
  45. Wa Thiong’o, N. (1986b). Writing against neo-colonialism. Wembley.Vita Books.
  46. Wa Thiong’o, N. & Wa Mirri, N. (1982b). I will Marry When I Want. Heinemann African Writers
  47. Wa Thiong’o, N. (1989). Matigari. Heinemann International books.
  48. Wa Thiong’o, N. (1999). Penpoints, gunpoints and dreams: Towards a critical theory of the arts and the state in Africa. Oxford University Press.
  49. Zizek, S. (2010). Living in the end times.Verso Publishing