Exploring postmodern elements in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s Wizard of the Crow
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Date
2021-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Namibia University of Science and Technology
Abstract
This thesis is an exploration of Postmodern elements in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s novel Wizard of the Crow
(2006). The study employed a content analysis approach whereby the novel was studied in depth in order
to extract themes relating to postmodernism and align them with the type of leadership in Kenya. This is
a qualitative desktop study, and the analysis was informed on the grounds of postmodernism theoretical
framework. This theory assisted in examining the relationship between the Kenyan elite in the new
government as they exploit and mistreat their own people for the benefit of few individuals as well as the
emancipation of the masses from exploitation, oppression and discrimination from their own people. The
postmodernism theory assisted in analysing how the masses are trying to defend and free themselves
against their exploiters, the ruling elite. An example is how Nyawira mobilises her fellow women and the
masses to boycott all government projects that are only benefiting the ruling elites leaving the rest of the
population to suffer.
The findings of the study revealed that the most persistent concern of Ngugi’s literary work is the
exploitation of the masses as a result of colonial structures and policies that are generated by the ruling
elite as an imitation of the modern world from the West. In this novel, Ngugi used a postmodern style of
writing such as creating grotesque bodies and characters as well as magic realism to show that there is a
link between exploitation and violations of the rights of the masses in Kenya. The study further revealed
that there is a continuous struggle for justice and freedom from the ruling elite by the masses and it can
be concluded that the Kenyan people are aware of the evil deeds and acts of their leaders and they are
planning a revolution to liberate themselves from the hands of the elite. The study recommends that
literary texts of this nature written in other countries need to be unpacked as what Ngugi expresses
through his style of writing about Kenyan leaders is not only happening in Kenya, but it is also witnessed
in the leadership of several African countries as well. Fiction in other genres such as poetry and drama
that carries the same message need to be brought to attention as well in order to bring the plight of the
masses to light as the possible solutions to political and socio-economic woes not only in Kenya, but also
elsewhere in the world.
Description
THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGLISH AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS AT THE NAMIBIA
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NUST)
Keywords
Thesis, Namibia, postmodern, elements, content analysis, leadership, Kenya, elite, government, exploitation, opression, masses, discrimination, boycott
Citation
Nanhapo, N. L. I. (2021). Exploring postmodern elements in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s Wizard of the Crow [Master's thesis: Namibia University of Science and Technology].