Female Characters' Resistance in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's Early Novels

              This research paper explores the representation of female characters in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s early novels Weep Not, Child (1964) and The River Between (1965). The study critically examines how Ngũgĩ portrays women in the context of colonialism and societal transformation, analysing their roles, and relationships within their socio-political environments. By focusing on the female characters in these novels, the paper investigates how they navigate the challenges of a patriarchal, colonial society and embody resistance, resilience, and cultural identity. These characters reflect not only the personal struggles of women but also symbolize broader societal tensions and transformations in Kenya during the colonial period. Through a feminist and postcolonial lens, this research sheds light on the intersection of gender, colonial oppression, and national liberation, contributing to ongoing discussions in feminist and postcolonial literary scholarship.