Death of the Teacher: Disempowerment of Society and the Quest for Redemption in Three Swahili Novels

Abstract

This research analyzes three Kiswahili novels: Gamba La Nyoka by Euphrase Kezilahabi, Walenisi by Katama Mkangi and Kifo Cha Mwalimu by Anduvate Mwavali. The study has two objectives: first is to look at how disempowerment of society in the texts is as a result of death of the teacher, second is to investigate how the society can be redeemed from this eventuality. To achieve these objectives the study has done close textual reading guided by a Structural Marxist theoretical framework. The study is then divided into six chapters. The first chapter contains the background of this work and the inspiration behind it. The second chapter is where the textual analysis begins. The first novel of discussion in chapter two is Gamba La Nyoka. I have looked at how Ujamaa as a tool of developing rural Kisole and Bucho villages becomes an “event” which displays signs of death of the teacher and disempowerment of society. In chapter three I analyze Walenisi. Here capitalism in society offers a situation where ignorance becomes a gap that the political economy exploits for profit. I look at how capitalism is a force of disempowerment and the hope that socialism offers. In chapter four my interest is again on the issue of profit in Kifo Cha Mwalimu. Here the education system is rendered dysfunctional by greed for money in schools like Kilelecha Karen. This same greed leads to exploitation of the teacher by school management. This dysfunalism is what leads to disempowerment of society. The sixth and final chapter is is on the second objective of how redemption can be achieved from the disempowerment of society. The final part is a conclusive look at the points I have been elaborating on.