THE PARADIGM OF A NEW SOCIAL ORDER OF MUTUAL CO-EXISTENCE IN THE NOVELS OF NGUGI WA THIONGÓ

Abstract

This research on the Paradigm of a New Social Order of Mutual Coexistence in the Novels of Ngugi wa Thiong'o is drawn from the denotative dictionary meaning of the word ''Paradigm''. In Ngugi's literary craft, he uses a number of models and archetypes, which serve as patterns for mutual symbiotic coexistence of all mankind in a global context regardless of socio-economic, political, ideological, religious and racial differences. This exposition, which substantiates Ngugi's central premise for the mutual coexistence of all humanity in a global community focuses on his first five novels. The given textbooks are: The River Between, Weep Not, Child; A Grain of Wheat, Petals of Blood and Devil on theCross. In specific terms, the Honia River and the tribal schools provide a confluence point of dialogue for two hostile villages in The River Between. In Weep Not, Child Ngugi uses three metaphors to emphasise the necessity for peaceful coexistence across social and racial lines. In A Grain of Wheat, the personality of Kihika, the songs of Uhuru day celebration and the prayer of the Reverend Morris Kingori all combine to provide a point of synthesis between Christian and traditional religions. In Petals of Blood, Ngugi reinforces this central thesis of finding a medial point of interaction between traditional belief and Christianity through Wanja's Christian mother and Wanja's aunt - a traditional religionist. Then in Devil on the Cross, the church Wedding of Gatuiria and Wariinga figuratively merges traditional African and Western Christian values to prove that it is possible to transcend all social barriers if goodwill is allowed to prevail. Indeed, emphasizing the need for team spirit and mutual cooperation as a central metaphor can provide a solution to overcoming all forms of ethnic, racial, religious and other dogmatic and parochial tendencies that threaten the human race in the twenty-first century.