3. Applied Literature
Reyhaneh Goudarzi; Hossein Nazari
Abstract
This study offers a postcolonial ecocritical critique of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s Petals of Blood (1977) within the context of postcolonial Kenya’s socio-economic crises, exacerbated by colonial legacies and ongoing neocolonial influences. The analysis examines the novel’s portrayal of resilience ...
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This study offers a postcolonial ecocritical critique of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s Petals of Blood (1977) within the context of postcolonial Kenya’s socio-economic crises, exacerbated by colonial legacies and ongoing neocolonial influences. The analysis examines the novel’s portrayal of resilience and trauma amid environmental and socio-economic turmoil. We argue that the novel presents a microcosm of Kenya’s socio-political landscape, highlighting the trauma inflicted by (neo-)colonial exploitation. The central characters embody this collective trauma as they confront oppression, violence, and betrayal. The environmental deterioration of Ilmorog serves as an example of colonial agricultural practices and the mismanagement pervasive in the postcolonial era. This study argues that indigenous knowledge and ecological practices offer pathways to healing and resilience, contrasting sharply with profit-driven approaches. Nature symbolizes hope and resistance, while the blood motif represents violence and communal unity. Ultimately, the novel reflects the interplay of destruction and regeneration in postcolonial Kenya, advocating for the interconnectedness of ecological and social justice. It emphasizes the importance of reclaiming indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices for reconciliation and resilience.
