POSTCOLONIAL ECOCRITICAL READING OF NGUGI WA THIONG’O’S WEEP NOT, CHILD

Abstract

Weep Not, Child by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o is a prose that carries an extensive expression of nature and its value to the Kenyan. Land and its value to the Kenyan (African) is a predominant environmental discourse in the text. This discourse is an attempt to show the writer’s sincere intention and awareness of nature, particularly land, in the life of Kenyans. This paper brings to the fore that, amongst all other focal issues such as betrayal and alienation, Ngugi had a peculiarly strong theme that depicts the connection of the people with their environment, and the interrelationship therein. Situating the study within the ambits of postcolonial criticism, this paper reveals the extent of eco-consciousness of Weep Not, Child as Ngugi’s modest contribution to show how nature is revered within the cultural and historical spheres of a people (the Kenyans / Africans).