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- No of Chapters: 5
- No of Pages: 40
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Abstract:

ABSTRACT

This research work is assigned to examine issues of struggle for freedom in African literature, particularly in Ngugi Wa Thiong’o and Micere’s The Trial of Dedan Kimathi and Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s The Black Hermit. This research work critically analyze the theme of struggle for freedom in the two books as the focus of the work. Therefore freedom implies political or economic exemption or liberation from slavery or imprisonment. It could further be said to be an exemption from political resistant, cultural or autocratic control especially as regards colonialism. The struggle for freedom in African society started in the early nineteenth century, when the freedom fighters outrageously revolted against western colonization. It was concluded that African society gain independence when there is struggle through active movement such as the Kenyan mau mau movement.

Table of Content:

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page - - - - - - - - i
Certification - - - - - - - - ii
Declaration - - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgements - - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - vi
Table of contents - - - - - - - - vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - - 2
1.3 Purpose of the study - - - - - - 3
1.4 Objectives of the study - - - - - - 4
1.5 Significance of the Study - - - - - - 5
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study - - - - - 5
1.6 Research Methodology - - - - - - 6
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 The Impact of Colonialism, Post colonialism and quest for independence - 6
2.2 The Theme of Freedom and Survival in African Literature - 9
2.3 The History of Dedan Kimathi and Kenyan Freedom Fighters - 12
CHAPTER THREE: TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE TRIAL OF DEDAN KIMATHI
3.1 Bio-Data of the Authors -- - - - - - 14
3.2 A Critical Analysis of the Play - - - - - 16
3.3 Themes in the Play - - - - - - - 19
3.4 Characterization - - - - - - - 22
3.5 Symbolism and Regeneration as Employed in the Play - - 23
CHAPTER FOUR: TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE BLACK HERMIT
4.1 Bio-Data of the Author - - - - - - 25
4.2 Critical Analysis of the Play - - - - - - 25
4.3 Themes in the Play - - - - - - - 27
4.4 Characterization - - - - - - - 29
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - 31
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - 32
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - 33
Works Cited

Introduction:

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The struggle for freedom, as one of the major themes in African literary works, is the question of moving the centre, from the stage of subjugation and oppression to the stage of self-discovery, control and power regained from colonialism. Freedom, in this context, denotes the state of not being under control and influence of colonialism and Imperialism of western cultures. It is the state of realization of self; the state of political and social power gained collectively.
According to Ngugi wa Thiong’o, western imperialism colonizing efforts in the last four hundred years have led to a situation where world cultures have been dominated by a handful of western nations. The west, according to the author, has come to see itself as the centre of the universe. Cultural power, just as much as political and economic power is controlled at this faux centre. In the author’s connection: “moving the centre; the struggle for freedom”, the centre in two senses-between nation and within nations contributes to the freeing of the world cultures from the restrictive walls of nationalism, class, race and gender. The author believes that moving the centre in these ways is a crucial step in the struggle for true cultural freedom throughout the world, in order to correct the “imbalances of the last four hundred years of Euro centric domination”.
Ngugi Wa Thiongo remains one of the most influential African writers, especially in the area of struggle for freedom in Kenya. The author’s concerns for the country were portrayed in his numerous writings which aimed at librating the masses and peasant farmers from the oppression of the whites the first aim of struggle in librating African were political independence. Ngugi saw this as the only first step toward total liberation. According to the author’s the under privilege suffer from political leadership of the whites, in which their lands and properties are denied. To this ends, the only way out of this, is a revolt which he explains in the trials of Dedan Kimathi, and a need to reject westernization and embrace Africanization for the sake of freedom, as expressed in The Black Hermit. The study is aimed at establishing the fact that struggle for freedom had its antecedents and was worth fighting for.