A Critical Analysis on Reversal of Gender Roles in a Colonial and a Post Colonial African Novel: a Comparative Study Angela Kimaru

Abstract

This 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.