The Depiction of Women Characteristics in Jane Tapsubei Creider's Novel, the Shrunken Dream: Transcending the Conventional Roles of Traditional Society
Abstract
This study is entitled, The Depiction of Women characters in Jane Tapsubei Creider's novel, The Shrunken Dream: Transcending the Conventional Roles of Traditional Society. It seeks to examine the depiction of women in a patriarchal society as viewed by the author. It also analyses the portrayal of women characters in the novel and how the author has employed their sensibilities to bring out the situation of women in the Nandi society. In addition, the study critically highlights the effects of the western culture in the Nandi society and how the latter saw the women transcend the conventions of patriarchy.
The major justification of this study is that it contributes to criticism on women's issues and the imbalances created in society. It also touches on the effects of the imposition of the western culture on both men and women of the Nandi community. Two theories were found useful as tools of analysis to carry out the research. These were: Feminist theory and sociological theory. The methodology utilized, involved textual analysis of the primary text, and fieldwork, carried out among the Nandi respondents to confirm Tapsubei's assertions and observations. Secondary texts and internet was utilized for more information to critic the primary text.
Chapter one, introduces the problem of investigation and research procedures .like objectives, hypotheses, Justification, scope and limitations of the study while at the same time reviewing works that are relevant to the study. Chapter two places Nandi women in
their social context by analyzing the effects of patriarchy as brought out in the novel. Chapter three, highlights women characters as depicted by the author and the protagonist's profile. Chapter four reveals the culture clash between the Nandi traditional culture and the western culture with emphasis on the effects this clash has on the women ana to some extent, men.
Chapter five summarizes the findings and recommendations for further research.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya