Women Experiences With Religion in The Novels of Three Kenyan Women Writers

Abstract

The article analyses several novels by three distinguished Kenyan women writers from the viewpoint of the attitude of the authors (through their characters) to the role of religion in the life of Kenyan women and, on a larger scale, Kenyan society. While Margaret Ogola in her novels shows the revolutionary role of the Christian religion in the lives of Kenyan women (The River and the Source), and its role as the last resort for desperate situations in life (Place of Destiny), Pat Ngurukie focuses on the role of religion in marriage (The CEO Wife), and Rebeka Njau in her novel The Sacred Seed draws a semi-fantastic picture of the confrontation between good and evil forces, supported by supernatural powers. The study concludes that in the discussed novels religion is presented as a symbol of the forces that play a constructive role in the life of human beings and, on a wider scale, human societies, as opposed to the destructive powers, embodied by various negative characters, mostly of male origin, since the social ailments that are condemned by the authors are associated with the ideology of male dominance. The discussed novels also advocate constructive relationships between sexes, featuring positive male characters, that assist the heroines to overcome life hardships, and most of them are religious people. However, the authors’ role models are those personages (primarily female) for whom religion is a driving force that enables them to follow a straight road in life, vanquish many snares and obstacles, and inspire future generations.