African Fiction Journal on the book Nervous Conditions
Thinking about traditional Africa helps us to discern the origins and development of our own society and culture. The progression of newly liberated African countries is but a reflection of the world economy, whether we choose to believe in fair trade or systems of "thieves and robbers." Understanding the situations current African generations are living in allows us to determine the quality of our own lives and the substance that makes us who were are, as Americans, today. We know very well that as time changes, so must progressive processes, and in return so must peoples of certain societies. Just as mid-twenty-first century America called for women to leave the household and situate themselves in the workplace, so rings the call of modern African liberals. This freedom call is not one to burn bras and march on capital cities. Instead, it is a movement away from traditional thinking and social hierarchies. It is a call to men and women alike to stand up for their countries, to become the independent leaders, which the African and European elites fear the most. While this freedom fight is just within reach, the African people must first deal with converting themselves to modernized thinking. In his novel Devil on the Cross, Ng
Warĩĩnga has broken out of the subservient female role: she has a job, a man, self-respect and confidence. She makes her place in the man's world. Yet, what happens to her? The Rich Old Man who in the beginning stole her innocence and pride threatens her. But now she is stronger and not afraid. Now she has learned her own worth and the power that lies within her patient motivation. This time she can put the gun to the head of the evil powerful man and kill him because she has strength to do it. 61;gĩ Wa Thiong'O uses Wariinga to awaken African women to the fact that they must leave behind their traditional gender roles to step out of the slum of manual labor and degrading servitude; otherwise they will be flushed out as refuse by the African elite. In Devil on the Cross, symbols of the Prophet of Justice are everywhere. There is definitely hope for all in this desperate story of a woman trying to survive in a world that has abandoned her. This novel is a call to a nation. The gender balance can be seen as a new feminism, but is metaphorically the war of the worlds. Warĩĩnga is a woman, she is the weaker gender. Warĩĩnga is every young African country. She is the lesser, vulnerable one who is pushed around by the elite. The Rich Old Man and all the Devil's angels are not only the dominant males; they are the dominant world powers. They are the Western world in economy and culture. These rapists, scandalous men are the global economy stripping new Africa of her fresh newness. They take all they can, even if it is from their own "mother's thighs." Warĩĩnga is new to this trade of thieves and robbers; she is desperate and seeking help. But through the acquaintances made, she learns to pull from her rich African tradition and work with the others in her situation to pull themselves through the struggles. Ngũg
Some common words found in the essay are:
Thiong'O Wariinga, Devil's Feast, Rich Devil's, , Prophet Justice, Warĩĩnga Ngũgĩ's, Ngũgĩ Warĩĩnga, African European, Warĩĩnga African, Devil Cross, thieves robbers, african people, devil cross, women leave, money money, world economy, american women,
Approximate Word count = 1265
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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