RE-THINKING MAGIC REALISM AND POSTCOLONIALITY IN NGUGI WA THIONGO'S WIZARD OF THE CROW

Abstract

This paper interrogates the place of magical realism in African literature. It unveils the fact Tthat the novelist’s imagination must go beyond realism if he/she is to adequately represent theirregularities in his society. One possible way of representing this is through magicalrealism. In literature magical realism is a narrative strategy that combines realism and the fantasticin such a way that the marvellous grows organically within the ordinary, blurring the distinctionbetween. In literature this strategy has become debased, with critics referring to it as shallow anddangerous. Therefore, this paper unveils the fact that magical realism is not shallow or dangerousbut a contemporary that can be used for political criticism. This paper evaluates Ngugi waThiongo's use of magical realism to mock postcolonial African regime is x-rayed. Ngugi mocksleadership in Africa through manipulation of the realistic mode, which helps effectively inrepresenting political issues in Africa. This paper is hinged on Homi Bhabha's concept of Hybridity.