Surmounting Gender Disparities: A Study of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Wizard of the Crow

Abstract

This paper entitled, “Surmounting Gender Disparities: A Case Study of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Wizard of the Crow” set to investigate the effects of gender disparities and how these could be surmounted. Wa Thiong’o was chosen as an expert informant whose literary text does not emanate from a void but a reflection of social realities. The observation of characters in his text resulted to the findings that gender disparities embedded male chauvinism caused chronic physical and psychological pains that disrupted family harmony. Further observations revealed that if male chauvinism is deconstructed and individual capacities developed by both men and women, they will both have equal access to social and economic responsibilities. The study found that complementary role in gender as observed in social roles and role switching facilitated tasks and guaranteed individual’s protection and security. The study underpinned the need to abandon derogatory patriarchal norms and focus on values that promote positive change. It arrived at the conclusion that nations that yearned growth need to give up chauvinistic preferences and uphold values that promote equality for these are bedrocks of growth that could create visibility even in the global field.