Narrating Martyrs Of Democracy Through Fiction In Wahome Mutahi’s Three Days On The Cross (1992)

Abstract

While focusing on the intersection of political history and fiction in Wahome Mutahi’s Three Days on the Cross (1992), this study discusses martyrdom as a trope. The study contends that fiction and political history are intertwined in the revelation of historical injustices even though they are at variance in style of presentation. Each is distinct but they both coalesce as mirrors of society. At the core of both lies the representation of historical transformation of a country. Literature is a reflection socio-political and cultural changes that reveal the morphing of society. Fiction is an artistic representation of among other facets of life; governance and politics. The study contends that politics shapes the way people live and relate and is shaped by leadership style. This is buttressed by the fact that bad politics make the citizens to suffer. Wahome Mutahi, by fictionalizing Kenya’s political history during the political transformation in the multi-party era in the1990’s, attempts to narrate stories of martyrs. The study is grounded within Marxist literary theoretical framework which is based on the socialist and dialectical theory of Karl Marx. The theory propagates that literature arises out of the existence of economic and political ideological circumstances prevailing. Literature not only demonstrates class struggle but is also products of them. The competing forces depict a stratified society that attempts to come to terms with its history. The study employed a library based analytical research design. This involved close reading while identifying, curling out and coding information that portrayed martyrdom in major characters. This form of research design best suited this type of study which allowed the researcher to make an in depth analysis of martyrdom. The study used purposive sampling to select on the literary text because torture by political hegemony on perceived enemies is a motif that weaves the plot strand. This study hopes to contribute to the on-going polemics about justice and democracy. The study attempts to reveal the socio-political struggles common to people who love their country.