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Publication Open Access A Critical Analysis of Representation of Gender in Three Children’s Books by Barbara Kimenye(International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 2022) Kyengo, EuniceThe study sought to critically analyze the representation of gender in three selected children books by Barbara Kimenye; Moses in a Mess, Moses on the move and Moses and the Raffle. Children’s books act as socialization agents. They transmit social customs, and replicate the morals of a community. However, the representation of gender in numerous books of children is imbalanced. This is most likely to negatively affect children’s character and perception of character that is acceptable for their gender in the community. Objective of this study examined how female and male characters have been represented in children’s books. The study analyzed children’s books for ages 10 and 16. The study sought to create awareness to parents and teachers on the importance of identifying books that are not gender biased and that are not gender imbalanced. This research study is thus a useful material for reference to other researchers and readers. The study was guided by Sandra Bem’s Gender Schema theory: The concept of Gender-Typed Knowledge. The study was conducted through descriptive research design. The three children’s books were selected from the target population using purposive sampling technique. The researcher used contextual analysis as a method of qualitative analysis in order to analyze the selected sample. The study provided enough and viable information on improving the quality of children’s books which have a positive impact in children’s holistic developmentPublication Open Access A Critical Analysis of the Ogre Motif: A Thematic Approach to Purple Hibiscus and Petals of Blood(International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 2023) Esther, Koros Jeruto; Mwihia, Margaret NjokiOgre narratives have for a long time been a didactic, entertaining and historical tool in the preliterate Africa. It served as the curricula for both informal and non-formal education of the mentioned era. The postcolonial period that ushered in a literate Africa did not extinguish the existence of this genre but instead integrated it into its modern written materials such as the short story, the novel and the play. A close study of the modern African works reveals a consistency between the African novel and the oral narrative. The objective of this study was to critically analyse the themes in Purple Hibiscus and Petals of Blood with the aim of highlighting and relating them to the ogre motif. Such themes include; greed, cruelty, destruction, heroism, sexism, vengeance and victimization. This study benefited from descriptive research design that adopted a qualitative approach, its target population being all the texts authored by both Ngugi Wa Thiongó and Adichie Chimamanda. Purposive sampling was used to select the two texts of interest and from which primary data was collected. Close textual analysis was done with a view of getting enough data for the study and to describe the arguments relating to thematic trends of the ogre motif. The study revealed in its findings that modern African writings borrow heavily from the orate African literature. It revealed a consistency between the modern African writings and the preliterate orate African literature (otherwise known as orature) in terms of themes.Publication Open Access A Critical Analysis of Humor as an Aspect of Satire in Selected Songs of Okot P’bitek: Song of Malaya, Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol(International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 2022) Mwangi, Peter MuhoroHumour is essentially part of our daily lives. There seems to be life and liveliness whenever we incorporate humour even to a small extent. Based on this concept, this study sought to explore the use of humour and how it leads to successful satirizing of situations in OkotP’Bitek’s three selected texts - Song of Malaya, Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol. It aimed at giving different definitions of humour and then going ahead to show that humour is subjective, that is, what one considers as humour may differ from another person's interpretation within the same context of use. Successful use of satire relies on effective use of humour and this is important to both writers and the readers in that whereas the writer will comfortably relay issues of concern, the readers will not get offended even when the issues being relayed touch on their personal lives. This study had three objectives: to identify humour in satirical contexts in S. O. M, S. O. O and S. O. L, to show that humour is arbitrary in the selected songs, and finally to demonstrate that use of humour leads to successful relay of negative themes in the three songs. The aim of the study was to show that satire cannot be successfully used without incorporating humour. Therefore, satire and humour are integral. Various contexts were considered in the three songs in order to find out contexts that contain humour. In particular, the songs were studied in contexts of politics, religion and culture so as to provide a more organized in-depth analysis. Study population was limited to the three songs and only samples of data were picked to achieve the study objectives. One theory of reference which was heavily relied on in this study was Reader Response theory by Stanley Fish. The study design was qualitative in nature. Cresswell (1998) observes that a study design aims at exploring in depth, insight and the wealthy ideas of a phenomenon. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources and were particularly based on a library research. Primary data was data which was collected afresh for the first time. On the other hand, secondary data was data that had already been collected in order to be used again. After obtaining data, analysis was done on the content. It was textual analysis. Towards the end there were conclusions and recommendations that would give summaries and future actions respectively.Publication Open Access The Strugles of Motherhood in the African Novella and Novel: Mariama Ba’s so Long a Letter and Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood(International Research Journal of Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, 2022-10-31) Kanorio ,Fridah; Mwangi, Peter MuhoroThe aim of this study was to investigate the challenges women encounter in motherhood as well as the position of women in their societies, credibly displaying both the truth as well as the strengths of women in modern setups. The fundamental issues of motherhood for the key characters in Bâ‟s and Emecheta‟s work are related. Nonetheless, regardless of which level of society they fit in or what level of difficulty they suffer, these characters really experience shockingly related feelings just as offer the challenges at any rate somewhat or not molding the occasions of their family's lives. This study will analyze how the position of a woman contributes to the struggles of motherhood, identify the different stylistic strategies used to characterize the struggles of motherhood, and determine how the constraints of motherhood raise gender issues in the selected texts. This research is limited to the selected texts because the authors have come from societies where women struggle under polygamous marriage. In these patriarchal societies, women are made subjects to the men who are their superiors. The study will use West African texts by feminist authors, which clearly illustrate these challenges. In addition, the societies which the authors have come from are victims of these issues. Hence, this study aims at creating social awareness of the challenges that women are still facing in most African countries and credibly displaying both the truth as well as the strengths of women in the modern setup. The findings of the study will be of benefit to the ministry of education in the formulation of policies that relate to the challenges of motherhood. The study will be premised on formalist and feminist literary theories. The research will be carried out through textual analysis of the two selected novels; Mariama Bâ‟s (So Long a Letter) as well as Emecheta (The Joys of Motherhood), and relate the data to the objectives of the study. The researcher will make relevant conclusions and propose recommendations to address the challenges women encounter in motherhood and the position of women in their societies, convincingly displaying both the truth as well as the strengths of women in a modern setup.Publication Open Access A Critical Analysis on Reversal of Gender Roles in a Colonial and a Post Colonial African Novel: a Comparative Study Angela Kimaru(International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 2022) Kimaru, Angela; Mwangi ,Peter MuhoroThis study sought to critically analyze reversal of gender roles in Gods Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane and Petals of Blood by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. The study revolved around the following objectives: To examine the roles assigned to women in liberating their men from bondage of colonialism and neocolonialism in the two selected texts, to examine how the authors of the two selected texts embrace African woman’s spirit of welcoming change, to assess the challenges faced by women in liberating their men from the bondage of colonialism and neocolonialism in the two selected texts. The two selected novels portray reversal of gender roles where by the authors strongly believe in women’s natural abilities and qualities, they define roles of female characters in a male dominated society. In the two selected texts, men are exploited by colonial and neocolonial masters hence they are not in a position to fully provide for their families. Women therefore take up the men’s roles in the process they struggle to earn a living and safeguard the interests of their families and in the process they suffer indirect exploitation. This study therefore explored the possibilities of the healing powers of female bonding; it aimed at recommending and educating the society on the need to include women, because the society can develop better if women are given the rightful place in a male dominated society. This study was guided by feminism theory and Marxist feminism. The methodology was anchored by descriptive design. It was conducted using qualitative research approach and content analysis as a method of qualitative analysis that enabled analyse the selected collected data.Publication Open Access Computer Assisted Language Learning Software: The Effect of Integrating Computer Assisted Pronunciation Training on Kenyan English Phonetics Class at the University Level(HRMARS Exploring Intellectual Capital, 2016) Ong’onda, Dr. Nancy Anashia; Muindi, Mary NguviThis paper aimed to investigate whether the introduction of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) software at the university level would result in developments in English phonetics learners’ pronunciation. The study made use of a quasi-experimental intervention design which consisted of control and experimental groups. Two groups of 40 students who were all studying English to become English Language teachers at the Department of Languages in Mount Kenya University participated in the study. While the control group followed traditional pronunciation training, the experimental group attended computerized pronunciation instruction which integrated a Computer Assisted Pronunciation Training (CAPT). Results of the study suggest that in EFL settings, where exposure to target language is quite rare, software programs can be perfect options to compensate for limited real life pronunciation practice. In conclusion, EFL learners can be provided with extra exposure to target language input and practice with specifically designed CAPT programs.