Investigating symbolism as a literary technique in Devil on the Cross by Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo

Mostafa, Samar Sayed Mohamed

doi:10.21608/qarts.2023.230632.1745

Investigating symbolism as a literary technique in Devil on the Cross by Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo

نوع المستند : المقالة الأصلية

المؤلف

Samar Sayed Mohamed Mostafa

Lecturer at the international institute for languages and Translation

10.21608/qarts.2023.230632.1745

المستخلص

This research paper examines the use of symbolism as a literary technique in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's novel Devil on the Cross and how it portrays themes of oppression, resistance, and liberation in postcolonial Kenya. Drawing on the theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism, the study analyzes various symbols in the novel, including the devil, the cross, the tree, the goat, and the river, and how they represent different aspects of Kenyan society. The analysis of these symbols reveals how Ngũgĩ creates a complex narrative that critiques the political and social structures of postcolonial Kenya.

The study employs a qualitative research approach to explore the historical and political context in which Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's novel Devil on the Cross was written, the impact of his literary activism on African literature, and the role of symbolism in the novel. Utilizing close reading and content analysis, the research analyzes the symbols and their meanings in the novel, revealing how Ngũgĩ employs symbolism to expose the injustices, oppression, capitalism, patriarchy, and inequalities in Kenyan society and to inspire resistance and liberation. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of literature as a tool for social and political critique and transformation, highlighting the significance of Ngũgĩ's novel in offering a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in postcolonial Kenya.

الكلمات الرئيسية