Breaking the Patriarchal Enclave. Wariinga the Female Protagonist Emerges a Heroine in Ngugi's 'Devil on the Cross'

Academic Paper from the year 2021 in the subject African Studies - Literature, grade: 1, Kwame Nkrumah University, language: English, abstract: This paper addresses the challenges that women are exposed to at the hands of men. Guided by feminist theory, this paper projects Wariinga, a woman who breaks the male chauvinistic strongholds and educates herself, acquires an education with professional qualifications. She first studies typewriting and later mechanical engineering and finds work as a mechanic, which is a male dominated area. She stands against men's sexual advances and takes charge of herself and her world. She evolves into a new, dynamic character, determined to assert her strength squarely on her hunters who hitherto viewed her as a bounty. She shoots her former paramour and counters the men who had earlier tormented her with a gun, a weapon usually associated with masculine power. Equally, women in Zambia and elsewhere in the globe can become the Wariinga in the Devil on the Cross by shaking off the male chauvinistic yoke by learning to assert themselves to bring change in their own lives and destinies and of those dependent on them.

Mr. Jive Lubbungu holds a Masters of Literature and a Bachelor of Arts (BA Ed) Degrees obtained at The University of Zambia; specialised in comparative Literature. He is currently a Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, in the Department of Literature and Languages, in Zambia. He is also a PhD candidate in Literature at Africa Research University (ARU) in Zambia. He has contributed to the advancement of knowledge through teaching, Research, administrative experience and Paper Presentations at local and at international platform. His research interest lies in comparative Literature and Contemporary Issues .Mr Lubbungu is also a coodinator of Research Paper presentation seminars in the department of Literature and languages within the University. He was Convener of Kwame Nkrumah University Golden Jubilee International Conference which was successfully held from 19-20th September 2018 in Kabwe, Zambia. Mr. Lubbungu is the current Chair of the International Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ICESD 2020) co-organised with Zeetarz Publishing Nigeria, which will be held in Zambia from March 17-18 at Kwame Nkrumah University. He also conducts motivational talks to students in the Unversity as well as offer editorial services to students and collleagues alike. He is a patron of the University Art Club, Debate Club, and also a deputy Chair of the University French Club. Mr Lubbungu has published Books as well as articles in international referred journals. He has a strong passion for writing. He has worked with various stakeholders in his civic duties and in academics. He is a member of the senate of Africa Research University (ARU). He is a member of Zambia Network for Environmental educators and Practioners (ZANEEP) Kabwe Chapter. He is also a member of the Zambia Text book, Academic and Non-/fiction Authors Association (ZATANFAA).