Analysis Of Ngugi Wa Thiong’O Fourth Novel Petals Of Blood

Ngugi Wa Thiong’O fourth novel Petals of Blood (1977) is regarded as one of the longest novels of the Kenyan author Ngugi Wa Thiong'O, which coincides with the deteriorating political conditions in the country and the prevalence of bribery and corruption among high-ranking officials. The purpose of this novel is to challenge both political and financial corruption in the Kenyan state and to refresh in writing the unwritten past. Besides, in this magnificent novel the one feels all the epic strength of a great writer that has tackled the problem of the aftermath of independence.

Kenyan citizens who fought against the British colonists who shed their blood for freedom Dedan Kimathi companions are today outcasts in their countries left behind. the independence obtained they are selfish and selfish characters like Nderi Wa Riera who get wealth while characters like Wanja the prostitute Karega the unionist Munira the teacher Abdulla the trader-cripple or the little Joseph are crushed by the system despite their immense contribution to the liberation of Kenya. The writer's message Afro-Saxon is clear: the hopes of independence proved illusory. The novel is a clever demonstration of the odious way in which the benefit of independence has been recovered by a class, a mafia elite bound by its sole interest. And this is valid for the whole continent However, while reading this novel with its strong style and a serious reflection of what was going on in Kenya during the independence time the one finds himself under the influence of different emotions like love, sex, betrayal, injustice, corruption, and the economic conflict.

Ngugi Wa Thiong'O's novel Petals of Blood (1977) is considered as a piece of art by many authors and critics such as the American writers Baldwin and Morrison who were among the protestors defending the rights of the writers' free thoughts when Ngugi was arrested by the Kenyan government because of that novel which describes the tragedy of 1960s in Eastern Africa, as well as, the novel draws a real picture of the peasant landscape of a forgotten village "Ilmorog" where they suffer from the drought and the poverty, on the other hand they find warm and peace in Theng’eta. The novel Petals of Blood inspires the reader to see clearly the African Neocolonialism where the newly formed democracy is built in a confusion of the rule of capitalism and corrupt system. In a country where you have to eat or you will be eaten.