The document summarizes a presentation on Ngugi wa Thiong'o's novel Petals of Blood from a feminist perspective. It discusses the author, novel, history of feminism in Kenya, and depicts how the novel portrays feminist ideas. It analyzes how the novel shows the exploitation and oppression of women under colonialism and patriarchy through characters like Wanja. The presentation examines the positive and negative aspects of the female characters and concludes that the novel provides commentary on gender inequality and women's resistance in post-colonial Kenyan society.

1. S.B.Gardi Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar university
Feminist prospective
in Petals of Blood
Presented By: Hirva Pandya

2. Name: Hirva pandya
Faculty: M.A. Sem-4
Roll no: 10
Enrollment no:4069206420210022
Sub: African Literature
Paper no:206
Paper code:22413
Email :pandyahirva815@gmail.com

3. Points to ponder
About Author
About Novel
About Feminism
History of feminism in kenya
Feminist prospective in Novel
Conclusion
Work cited

4. About Author
Ngugi wa Thiong’o, original name James Thiong’o Ngugi, born January 5,
1938, Limuru, Kenya), Kenyan writer who was considered East Africa’s leading
novelist. His popular Weep Not, Child (1964) was the first major novel, in English
by an East African. As he became sensitized to the effects of colonialism in Africa,
Ngugi adopted his traditional name and wrote in the Bantu language of Kenya’s
kikuyu people.
Ngugi presented his ideas on literature, culture, and politics in numerous
essays and lectures, which were collected in Homecoming (1972), Writers in
Politics (1981), Barrel of a Pen (1983), Moving the Centre (1993),
and Penpoints, Gunpoints, and Dreams (1998). In Decolonising the Mind: The
Politics of Language in African Literature (1986), Ngugi argued for African-
language literature as the only authentic voice for Africans and stated his own
intention of writing only in Kikuyu or Kiswahili from that point on. Such works
earned him a reputation as one of Africa’s most articulate social critics.

5. About The Novel
 The novel revolves around three men and a woman. The four friends
reveal different aspects of their history to each other piecemeal, just as
their families had guardedly explained the past to them. The lingering
effects of the Mau Mau revolt have affected all their lives and by the end of
the novel, each character is wrapped up in his or her own exclusive
epiphany about life in Kenya.
 Petals of Blood is a novel by Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, published
in 1977. The novel tells the story of four characters - Munira, Karega,
Wanja, and Abdulla - whose lives intersect in a small town in Kenya.
 It deals with social and economic problems in East Africa after
independence, particularly the continued exploitation of peasants and
workers by foreign business interests and a greedy indigenous
bourgeoisie.

6. What is Feminism?
 According to EKUEASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY Feminism is an
interdisciplinary approach to issues of equality and equity based on gender, gender
expression, gender identity, sex, and sexuality as understood through social
theories and political activism. Historically, feminism has evolved from the critical
examination of inequality between the sexes to a more nuanced focus on the social
and performative constructions of gender and sexuality.
 According to Merriam Webster dictionary feminism is : belief in and advocacy of
the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially
through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
According to Burkett, Elinor and Brunell, Laura. feminism, the belief in social,
economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely originating in the West,
feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed
to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.

7.  According to Cambridge Dicitionary feminism is the belief that women
should be allowed thei same rights, power, and opportunities as men
be treated in the same way, or the set
 According women’s development international Agency Feminism.
is about all genders having equal rights and opportunities.
It’s about respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge and
strengths, and striving to empower all women to realise their full rights.
It’s about levelling the playing field between genders, and ensuring that
diverse women and girls have the same opportunities in life available to boys
and men.

8. Waves of Feminism
According to pacific university oregon there are four waves of feminism
First wave :The first wave of feminism took place in the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries, emerging out of an environment of urban industrialism and liberal, socialist politics. The
goal of this wave was to open up opportunities for women, with a focus on suffrage. The wave
formally began at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 when three hundred men and women rallied
to the cause of equality for women.
Second wave:The second wave began in the 1960s and continued into the 90s. This wave unfolded
in the context of the anti-war and civil rights movements and the growing self-consciousness of a
variety of minority groups around the world. The New Left was on the rise, and the voice of the
second wave was increasingly radical. In this phase, sexuality and reproductive rights were
dominant issues, and much of the movement's energy was focused on passing the Equal Rights
Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing social equality regardless of sex.

9.  Third Wave :The third wave of feminism began in the mid-90's and was informed
by post-colonial and post-modern thinking. In this phase many constructs were
destabilized, including the notions of "universal womanhood," body, gender,
sexuality and heteronormativity. An aspect of third wave feminism that mystified
the mothers of the earlier feminist movement was the read option by young
feminists of the very lip-stick, high-heels, and cleavage proudly exposed by low
cut necklines that the first two phases of the movement identified with male
oppression.
 Fourth Wave :The fourth wave of feminism is still a captivating silhouette. Many
fourth wavers who are completely on-board with the movement’s tenants find the
term “feminism” sticking in their craws and worry that it is hard to get their
message out with a label that raises hackles for a broader audience. Yet the word
is winning the day.

10. History of feminism in Kenya
 African women were so active members in the struggle against colonial
powers and were also fighting for better reproductive rights. African women
movement reflects the cultural, social and political organization of the
societies in Africa. Many evidences have suggested that the African history
contains various examples of violence against women and male
dominated.
 These evidences recommend that African woman movement reflects the
traditions of organization that have categorized spiritual and material life in
Africa. Woman in Kenya were well organized in work parties and in many
social and welfare groups among the speaking communities. Nigerian Igbo
women were managed as in numerous groups, wives and ladies
associations and administered through women council.

11.  African women, usually by instilling Western European Ideologies of home
life and offering training in related skills. The women’s movement in Kenya
has faced many challenges to gain equality in political, social and
economic aspects of the society due to the patriarchal nature of the
Kenyan society. and economic aspects of the society due to the patriarchal
nature of the Kenyan society Wangare Muta Maathai was one of the
famous women who has contributed immensely to the feminist movement
in Kenya. She also was an environmental and political activist. She
organised the Green Belt Movement, a non‐profit organization that aimed
to promote conservation of the environment and at the same time women’s
rights in 1977.

12. Feminist Prospective in Novel
 As Observed Ahmad Jasim Mohammad Alazzawi in his research article that
Naugi views that colonialism obviously and postcolonialism are responsible for
oppressing African woman. He clearly shows the problem of patriarchy and its
impact on women in pre-colonialism, colonialism and post colonialism Kenyan
society through his novel.
 Naguai in his novel Petal of blood emphasises on the exploitation of the
African woman on the basis of race, class and gender. Ngugi shows that
women are active and love farm work.Wanja, granddaughter of Nayakinya
wanders around Ilomorg with her grandmother, Nayakinya during the
subsidence of the rain. Ngugi descripes Wanja as an active woman who forms
a group which is called NdemiNyakinyua to cultivate and weed the land. The
purpose is to work in group and help other women to increase their efficiency
in work.

13.  Ngugi draws both positive and negative aspects of female characters and
doesn’t create unrealistic and fanciful female character. The negative and
positive points which build Wanja’s personality are clearly described in the
text. For example, Wanja hears the voices of children as they suffer due to
starvation, she feels a wound inside her smart so sharply that tears would
press against her eyelids. She feels as excruciating love for them and she
would have liked, at such moments, to embrace and give milk to all the
little ones on the earth. And at the same time, the negative point of Wanja
is clearly shown when Karega says; ‘how could such a woman (Wanja) be
trading on the bodies of the other girls? Ngugi shows that Wanja is a
strong and loving woman but the society cruelly drives her to be a
prostitute and makes her life tragic.
 Ngugi clearly emphasizes the worthy side of his female characters. In
telling Wanaja’s character, he brings out her kindness, resourceful, mental
strength and loving nature.

14. conclusion
 Through the reading of the novel it can be observe that 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.
 The novel present feminist critique of the gender inequality that is
pervasive in Kenyan society, while also recognizing the efforts of women
who work to resist and transform these oppressive structures. Through the
novel's portrayal of strong, independent female characters and their
struggles, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o provides a powerful commentary on the
complex dynamics of gender and power in post-colonial Africa.

15. Work cited
 Ahmad Jasim Mohammad Alazzawi - Media.neliti.com.
https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/266223-a-feminist-perspective-
in-ngugi-wa-thion-e3e35574.pdf.
 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Ngugi wa Thiong’o". Encyclopedia
Britannica, 1 Jan. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ngugi-wa-
Thiongo. Accessed 9 March 2023.
 Burkett, Elinor and Brunell, Laura. "feminism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar.
2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/feminism. Accessed 9 March 2023.
 “Four Waves of Feminism.” Pacific University, 30 June 2022,
https://www.pacificu.edu/magazine/four-waves-
feminism#:~:text=The%20first%20wave%20of%20feminism,with%20a%20focu
s%20on%20suffrage.


16.  “Feminism Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/feminism#:~:text=%3A%20belief%20in%20and%20advocac
y%20of,feministic.
 “Feminism.” Cambridge Dictionary,
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/feminism.
Thiong'o, Ngugi wa. “Petals of Blood by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o - Reading Guide:
9780143039174 - Penguinrandomhouse.com: Books.” PenguinRandomhouse.com,
Penguin Adult HC/TR, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/295517/petals-
of-blood-by-ngugi-wa-thiongo/9780143039174/readers-guide/.
“What Is Feminism?” IWDA, https://iwda.org.au/learn/what-is-feminism/.
“What Is Feminism?” What Is Feminism? | Women & Gender Studies | Eastern Kentucky
University, https://wgs.eku.edu/what-feminism.