A critical analysis of disaster motif in Gikuyu oral narratives

Abstract

This thesis conducts a critical analysis of disaster motif in Gikuyu oral narratives. It aims at identifying, interpreting and analysing the disaster motif in the oral narratives with a view to understanding the concept of disaster as a motif which is embodied in oral texts. It sets out to demonstrate that the disaster motif is used by narrators to reflect on the themes of destruction, and suffering in the stories and create a sense of hope in the artists' social vision. The study analyses the relationship between the disaster motif and narrative structure and the extent to which the motif reveals the gender relations in the community from which the narratives come. The motif provides insights into how literature can be used to explain society's response to calamities. To accomplish its aims, the study starts off by collecting primary oral data from the field. The narratives were recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed. The study proceeds to analyse the material using diverse literary and sociological theories. Insights from artist sand informants are also brought into play. The research has found out that the disaster motif is used to bring out the themes of suffering, destruction and hope. The motif is also employed to support the structure of the narratives and reveal the gender relations and dynamics in the community under study.