Abstract:
Abstract
Autobiographical discourses written by women globally in their perceptions indicate that women are
struggling to dismantle patriarchal structures, seeking to deter them from mainstreaming gender. The paper
looks at a subverted portrait from the normative gender identity in Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed, sampled
purposively. Tenets of New Historicism and Gender theory are used in analysing data. Analytical research
design with data collected through textual reading and analyzed by content, are used. Findings indicate that
Wangari defines herself as ‘Unbowed’ to imply defiance and resilience. She seeks to be viewed differently
from how the society has viewed women in the past. She narrates how she helps shape up and transforms
Kenya’s government into a democracy in which she later serves. Wangari’s fearless strength in adversity,
creative approach to building a peaceful, healthy planet; hard work inspiring and empowering women are
accolades that culminate into her being crowned a Nobel Peace laureate.
KEY WORDS: Portrait, Subversion, Unbowed, Normative, Gender, Identity
