A Feminist Perspective in Ngugi Wa Thiong’s Novel “Petal of Blood”

The present research paper attempts to bring feminist perspective in the work of the famous novelist Nugui Wa Thiong'o. It studies the nature of woman in one of his novels Petal of Blood. It deals with the geographical background of Kenya and the impact of British colonialism. It alsoanalysis the feminist aspects of the novel and the women characters in Petals of Blood are the victims of the patriarchal structure of the African society. Through Ngugi's novel Petals of Blood, the reader comes across the fact that a woman can be a mother, politician, socialist, educator and provider of the family at the same time. Women like Nyakinyua and Wanja struggle hard against colonialism. They strongly desire to curb oppression and exploitation of Kenyan society. Ngugi shows British colonialism becoming responsible for the destruction of Kikuyu- Kenyan society. He strongly believes in women's natural abilities and qualities. Most of his protagonists are women and they play roles in the struggle against oppression and exploitation. They try to break patriarchal barriers and bring changes in their society to liberate themselves. Nugui shows the nature of woman, he also throws the light on the positive and negative aspects of women in Kenyan society. Nugui doesn't ignore the impact of colonialism on the society in general and women in particular in his novels”. Nyakinyua brings out the state of women and the plight of the poor. Thus, Petals of blood deals with the exploitation of the African women on the basis of race, class and gender.