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Solidarity of Men and Women in Class Struggle in Sembebe
Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood and Ngugi WA Thiongo’s Petals of
Blood
John Mutiria Nyaga1*, Timothy M. Kangori1, Mukasa Mate2
1Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tharaka University, Kenya
2Chuka University, Chuka, Kenya
*Corresponding Author
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000281
Received: 14 October 2025; Accepted: 21 October 2025; Published: 10 November 2025
ABSTRACT
Class struggle has been a pertinent issue in Literature. Literary texts have always presented conflicts between
the oppressed and the oppressor. These conflicts emerge as the oppressed group try to free themselves from the
yoke of oppression. While the struggle for a better society used to be carried out by men because they were
believed to be brave and strong, women joined them. When this occurred, they work as a united team to
complement each other in liberating the society. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine how solidarity of
men and women triggers class struggle in Ngugi’s Petals of Blood and Sembene’s God’s Bits of Wood. The texts
under study were selected because their thematic content is largely based on class struggle. The analysis was
done using Marxism theory which urges the oppressed group to rise and unite so that they can demand for what
belongs to them. This tenet was employed in the study to examine how men and women have not only risen but
also united to complement each other in the struggle. The study went further to examine the changes that occur
in the novels under study when men and women work together to demand for better working conditions and
developments. The researcher used qualitative approach in data analysis because the data from the texts under
study was non-numerical. The study is significant because it provides an insight on how the unity of men and
women can trigger class struggle.
Key words: Class Struggle, Solidarity, Complementarity, Gender, Conflict
INTRODUCTION
Class struggle not only occurred in the human history but is still witnessed even today. The history of all the
society is about class struggle (Bedford, 2022). Class struggle also knows as class conflict entails the struggle of
the proletariat or loer class against the bourgeoisie. The dispute between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie is a
common issue in the modern society. The conflict emerges as the oppressed demand for what has been
accumulated by the oppressor. The African literature has continued to map out the cultural and political
consciousness as part of the whole project of liberating the oppressed people from harsh realities and conditions
created by neocolonialism and imperialism ((Williams, 2019).
The confrontation between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie is evident through events such as strikes of the
workers. Such confrontations are found in works of the writers such as Ngugi and Sembene. Ngugi’s literary
works gives an account of the Kenyan people during the struggle for independence as people fought to liberate
themselves from the bondage of the white man. He presents the Mau-Mau struggle which was the culmination
of resistance of the oppressive rule of the colonizer. Ngugi also presents the struggle of the Kenyan people upon
the attainment of independence. For Ngugi, the struggle for a better society did not end with the attainment of
independence for people still suffer because of poor leadership, corruption, dictatorship among other issues. Like
Ngugi, Sembene in God’s Bits of Wood presents conflict between the railway workers and the Europeans in
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Senegal. The African people struggle to enjoy various benefits that are enjoyed by the European workers in the
same railway company.
While women used to be presented voiceless and inactive people in the society, Ngugi and Sembene demonstrate
that struggle for a better society require complementarity of men and women. Women do no work under men
but with men to an extent of taking the frontline in the struggle with men behind them something that is new in
the African society. Both Ngugi and Sembene in Petals of Blood and God’s Bits of Wood respectively present
women characters as agents of the struggle for liberation. Men and women work interdependently by supporting
each other so that the struggle can be successful. The aim of this study therefore is to examine how gender
complementarity enhance class struggle in Ngugi’s Petals of Blood and Sembene’s God’s Bits of Wood.
Objective
The aim of the study is to examine how gender complementarity enhances class struggle in Sembene Ousmane’s
God’s Bits of Wood and Ngugi wa Thiongo’s Petals of Blood.
Research Question
How does gender complementarity enhance class struggle in Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood and Ngugi
wa Thiongo’s Petals of Blood?
Theoretical Framework
This study employs Marxism theory that has continued to influence literary works. According to Eagleton
(2006), Marxist literary criticism is based on the ideas and the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Karl
Marx advocated for struggle against injustice. Together with Friedrich Engels, they supported the struggle of the
oppressed to liberate themselves from oppression. Perry (2021) argues that Marx saw human history as a source
of struggles between classes, the oppressor and the oppressed. Karl Marx, through his writings expresses his
thoughts on the misery and sorrow of the exploited group. He argues that social change can be possible through
a struggle of the exploited against the exploiters. For liberty and freedom, the workers should start a revolution.
The workers fight the capitalist class because of the challenges of low wages, unemployment and bad working
conditions tend to increase their misery. Marxists trigger the spirit of revolution by calling people to rise and
unite so that they can take back all that belong to them (Ngara, 1985). This tenet is applied in this study to explore
how Ngugi and Ousmane have presented solidarity between men and women in the endless struggle to dismantle
dictatorship, corruption, neo-colonialism and oppression that stand in the way of a better African continent.
METHODOLOGY
The method of collecting and analyzing data in this study was basically textual analysis of Ngugi’s Petals of
Blood and Sembene’s God’s Bits of Wood. Purposive sampling was used because it guides the researcher to
identify the specific portions of the novel that are related to objective of the study.
Solidarity of Men and Women in Class Struggle
According to Marxism theory, the oppressed people should arise and unite in making demand on what they have
been denied (Brown and Brown, 2019). Ngugi presents conscious people who are vigilant so that they can benefit
from the government. In Petals of Blood, the people of Ilmorog have been sidelined by the government
institutions and political class. This calls for the need for both men and women to come together to demand for
their unalienable rights. They decide to go to the city to demand developments a thing that they had never done
before, “It would be the first time that they would be demanding anything from him….” (p.145). The fact that it
is their first time to demand for anything from their Member of Parliament implies that the people of Ilmorog
have become conscious about their wellbeing as a community. They are annoyed of their Member of Parliament
and the government because they pay taxes but they do not receive any developments, “They send others who
come every now and then to take taxes,” (p.118). Apart from paying taxes that does not help them, the people of
Ilmorog contributes money for installing water as requested by their Member of Parliament. When the Member
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of Parliament collects the money, he never comes back, “The MP also came once and made us give two shillings
each for Harambee. Have we seen him since?” (p. 118). The irresponsibility of the Member of Parliament annoys
people of Ilmorog to an extent that they decide to walk a hazardous journey to meet him. Men and women from
Ilmorog trek to the city as a united force.
Marxists argue that the working class should start a revolution to liberate themselves from oppression (Davidson,
2020). This suggests that the oppressed group should speak and demand for change in the society so that they
can have a just society. In Sembene’s God’s Bits of Wood, class struggle is revealed through the railway workers
who start a strike to demand for fair working conditions. The solidarity of men and women is evident during the
plan for the strike as the meeting is attended by both men and women. Sembene presents men and women who
are united to free themselves from injustices and mistreatment. Women attend the meetings of the strike so that
they can have a voice as the decisions are being made. Bakayoko goes with Ad’jibid’ji to then men’s meeting
about strike. She attests that Bakayoko, her “little father” always used to take her with him to men’s meetings.
(p. 4). It can be argued that when men and women plan for the strike, they are able to make decisions upon
listening to the opinions from both men and women. It can also be argued that the cooperation and
interdependence between men and women makes the plans for the strike effective.
Gender complementarity create a space for women to contribute to class struggle, (Dill, 2024). Dill suggest that
when men and women work together, women are able to take part in the liberation of the society. Ngugi reveals
that the trek to the city entails unity of men and women where women play a great role as they complement each
other. Through Nyakinyua, Ngugi reveals the contribution of women in class struggle. She is determined to
ensure that they have a successful journey to the city so that their society can change. She encourages people not
to lose hope when they get thirsty and hungry as the writer puts it, “Nyakinyua encouraged them after they had
rested a bit, pointing out that they were bound to find water and wild fruits further up the slopes,” (p. 146). Her
words of hope to the people of Ilmorog trigger them to continue with the trek optimistically. Ngugi also displays
solidarity of men and women when Nyakinyua refuses to ride the cart and walks with men just like Abdulla
although she is old. “Where did she get the strength, this old woman who, like Abdulla, had refused a ride in the
cart?” (p. 146). Nyakinyua’s decision of walking with other people boasts the trek as she encourages other people
who might lose hope because the journey is long. Ngugi reveals that women are determined to work with men
despite their so that they can change the society.
Gender complementarity calls for unity between men and women when a problem arises (Olusola, 2025). This
implies that men and women should work as united team to solve problems in the society. In Petals of Blood,
Ngugi presents men and women who are united to solves problems that they encounter so that the trek to the city
can be successful. When the donkey that is pulling the cart keep slipping in the slopes. Men and women push it
for them to continue with the journey. “Munira, Karega and Wanja helped push the cart, and this way, panting
and sweating, they eventually came to the top and joined the tamarc road,” (p 147). This reveals their
determination to arrive at the city to demand their share of developments that their Member of Parliament had
promised them during campaigns such as water and better roads. Ngugi shows that the trek to city is a communal
affair that is triggered by unity of men and women. The success of their trek is as a result of solidarity where the
characters, men and women, embrace humanism that calls for solidarity which is a pivotal wheel in the African
communities.
The political class tend to assume the role of decision making with the members of the society at the receiving
end (Scharpf, 2019). This argument implies that the leaders become omniscient about the interests of the people
hence they do not consult them at any time. Ngugi presents men and women who are united to end dominance
of people by the leaders. In Petals of Blood, the Member of Parliament make decisions for the people of Ilmorog
without involving them. He then sends his messengers to inform them on what they should do. In solidarity, men
and women oppose the message of their Member of Parliament where they are urged to go to Gatundu to sing
and enjoy tea. Ruoro stands up and answers back:
Where was Gatundu? Why would anybody want Ilmorog people to go and drink tea? How come that out there
they were threatened by other tribes? Had they piled enough property as to excite envy from other tribes? Here,
people were threatened by lack of water; lack of road; lack of hospitals. But what really was expected of them?
(p. 87).
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Ruoro is supported by women who are led by Nyakinyua, “…did he mean that they had to pay all that in order
to go and sing and drink tea? (p. 87). The messengers try to calm the violent men and women by promising them
free transport upon paying twelve shillings but Nyakinyua opposes the idea. She says, “You are worse than a tax
gatherer…. twelve shillings and fifty cents! From what hole are we to dig up the money? Why should we pay to
sing/ Go back and tell them this: here we need water, not songs? We need food.” (p. 87). Nyakinyua words imply
that people need to be consulted on what should be done the government instead of being made passive members
yet they pay taxes. Women take the entire event and appear to enjoy it. Some of them make threatening cries
and a slight commotion ensues. “Let us pull out their penises and see if they are really men,” one woman shouted,
(p. 87. The messengers are chased away by the angry men and women. Ngugi demonstrates that the people of
Ilmorog, men and women are united to oppose decision of the leaders that do not favour them. To him, people
refuse to be at the receiving end. He presents men and women who are determined to fight for development as
opposed to unimportant things such as tea. Ruoro and Nyakinyua are used to display how men and women
fearlessly oppose the decisions that are not beneficial.
Sembene reveals that solidarity of men and women through men whowork under women to support them they
decide to fight for freedom and justice. He changes the view that it is men who should be in forefront in the
struggle with women behind them. This evident throughout the march of women to Dakar as men follow them
with bicycles so that they can carry those who may be unable to walk. “The men of the little escort followed at
some distance behind women, and several of them had brought bicycles in the event that they should be needed,”
(p. 190). When women get tired or sick on the way, men place them on the bicycles and carry them as the journey
continues.
Boubacar, some of the men will have to carry the women who are sick, she said, pointing at Awathe weeping
Yacince, and Seni, who was now sitting up, with her head resting calmly on Maimouna’s shoulder, next to that
of the baby sleeping on her mother’s back. The men lifted her from the ground and installed her on the seat of a
bicycle, where they could support her as they pushed it along (p. 199).
Women appreciate the support of men in the march and describe them good. “The men have been good, though.
Did you see how the smith was sweating while he was carrying Awa?” (p. 201). This reveals that men are of
great value to women as they are their backbone during the march. It can be deduced that the support given to
women by men empowers them to soldier on with the journey. A conclusion can be made this strengthens class
struggle as women are able to arrive at Dakar to address their issues to toubabs.
Police officers tend to arrest and oppress people who fight to free themselves from oppressive and discriminative
leadership (Cooper, 2021). Such police officers are used by the oppressing bodies to silence those who fight for
change. While the aim of police brutality is to maim people who fight for change, Ngugi presents men and
women who are united to end mistreatment of freedom fighters by the police officers. When Karega is arrested,
men and women confront the police officers as they demand for his release. They match to the police station to
face the police officers as the writer reports, “Within a few hours, word had spread. The workers in a hostile
mood marched towards the police station demanding his release,” (p.4). The courage of men and women to storm
the police station is triggered by their solidarity. The angry men and women denounce the exploitation of people
by police officers, “Out with foreign rule policed by colonized blackskins! Out with exploitation of our sweat!”
(p. 4). Ngugi also demonstrates that the police fear the solidarity of men and women. This is evident through the
fact that the police do not use violence to disband the protesters but urge them to peacefully disband. “Please,
disband” appealed the officer desperately. “Disband yourself …” (p.4). Ngugi implies that gender
complementarity triggers the struggle for justice as the perpetuators of injustices and oppression tend to fear
united men and women.
Sembene manifest the support of women to men during the confrontation of the police and the strikers. When
the oppressed fight for change, the oppressor tends to use police to maim them. Since the police officers have
guns, they tend to overpower the masses. This hinders the fight for change in the society. In God’s Bits of Wood,
Sembene reveals that gender complementarity empowers the strikers as they confront the police. When the
African men workers are overpowered by the police, some of them opt to retreat perhaps due to lack of objects
such as stones which are their weapons. Women providing them with objects that they can throw at the armed
soldiers. Dieynaba provides a rock to Bachirou who is about to withdraw from the fight. “Where are you going,
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coward?” she said, handing him a rock to throw; but he just stammered something and ran off again (p. 23).
Although she blames him for cowardice, it can be inferred that he withdraws because he had exhausted his
materials. For Sembene, the strike cannot be effective without contribution of women. Women are presented as
facilitators of the strike and source of courage for men as they discourage men who are cowards during the strike.
It can be argued that the empowerment of men by women through provision of objects to men by women can
trigger the struggle as men are able to continue with struggle without running of the objects.
In Petals of Blood, Ngugi presents characters in relation to Marxism ideology that urges the proletariat to develop
class consciousness so that they can unite in their fight against the bourgeoisie (Wekesa et al., 2020). To Ngugi,
change cannot be achieved without struggle. Nyakinyua calls for solidarity by urging the whole community,
men, women and children, to get together and fight for the land. “Nyakinyua, the old woman, tried to fight back.
She tramped from hut to hut calling on the peasants of Ilmorog to get together and fight out…she tried to
convince them that all these were one and that she would fight them (p. 275). She incites the people towards the
fight for the land and urges them to unite so that they can win. According to her, all will not be well until when
the peasants will return to the knowledge about themselves. She aims at organising the people into a protest so
that they can raise an outcry expressing what they are going through even after attainment of independence in
the hands of their fellow black people. She aims at attaining solidarity not only between men and women but
among men, women and young people. Ngugi reveals that the oppressed believe in unity of the entire community
men, women and children in the struggle for liberation. It implies that women believe that struggle is not just for
men but it is task of all members of the community.
In God’s Bits of Wood, Sembene reveals that solidarity of men and women enables them to defend the society
from injustices. When the children; Little Ka, Sene and Gorgui are attacked by Isnard by being shot while hunting
lizard, men and women in solidarity move to streets to demand for justice. Penda joins Lahbib and Boubacar,
Doudou and Sene Masene the father of one of the dead boys. She is wearing a cartridge of a soldier because she
was a member of the strike committee. When news about their death spreads to the entire courtyard and men,
women and children move to the street and march towards the railroad yards. Women carry children with their
arms and they gather up weapons as they move. Gorgui who had not died is carried home as women led by
Penda, Dieynaba and Mariame Sonko weep, mourn and scream with insults bursting from their throats as they
pass through the houses of European employees (p.161). In solidarity, men and women blame the Europeans as
they fight for justice for the children. As a result of solidarity, the directors of the company inform the strikers
that their representatives would be received, (p. 161). Sembene reveals that through the solidarity of men and
women, class struggle is enhanced and the oppressor is obliged to listen to their grievances.
Ngugi reveals that gender complementarity in class struggle can bring about developments (Nwokolo & Iyanya,
2020). He presents conscious men and women who know that developments are their rights because they pay
taxes. They are united to agitate for change in the society. He demonstrates that through a united effort of men
and women in the demand for development, the leaders can be responsible. The people of Ilmorog vote in Nderi
wa Riera as their Member of Parliament after promising to give them water. However, he betrays them because
he does not do anything nor visit them. He sends his messenger but people, men and women, team up and chase
them away. They also meet him in the city and attack him as he addresses them. As a result of the trek to city,
the people of Ilmorog get various projects. Security is installed in Ilmorog through construction of administrative
office and a police station; “…. Munira’s interpretation of events that followed their journey to the city. An
administrative office for a government chief and a police post were the first things to be set up in the area,” (p.
196). This suggests that gender complementarity in class struggle can result to developments in the neglected
communities.
In addition, the people of Ilmorog witness things that had never happened before when they trek to the city. After
the trek, a government official, a minister visit Ilmorog something that had never happened before, “Why! A
minister of the Governmnet would visit Ilmorog. We had never before seen a minister in our lives.” (p. 265).
The solidarity of the people of Ilmorog makes Nderi wa Riera feel guilty as he apologises for failing them, “Nderi
spoke to us and apologized for inconveniences and the false expectations,” (p. 266). The Member of Parliament
also tells the people of Ilmorog about the plans to of setting up a sewaged shopping center at Ilmorog and a
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tourist center as well as a game park, “….he had proposed - and indeed the plans were under way – for Chiri
Country Council to set up a properly planned, sewaged shopping center in Ilmorog……A tourist center would
be set up and a game park further on would be enclosed and made out of bounds…” (p. 266). This reveals that
people, men and women should unite and demand developments from their leaders whenever they fail to
perform.
In God’s Bits of Wood, Sembene reveals that gender complementarity makes the class struggle successful. The
African workers of the Railway Company, men and women, fight for fair treatment and equality as a united
force. As a result of their unity, they fearlessly confront the management of the company and the police officers
who used to silence them. When this occurs, the management of the company promises to consider their
grievances. This is evident when Edouard who is sent from Dakar to mediate between the management of the
company and the representatives of the African workers says that some of the issues raised by the strikers will
be put into consideration, “The matter of pensions will have to be studied in relation to the technical employment
level of all parties concerned; and, lastly any increases in salary and pay back on such increases must be
considered in relation to the cost of living,” (p.173-174). Furthermore, the governor speaks in favour of the
workers by promising them that they will not be sanctioned and that all the requests that they have made will be
considered, “…contrary to the rumours spread by a few malcontents, no sanctions will be taken against the
strikers, and I personally promise all of them that their requests will be studied and satisfied insofar as possible,
in the near future,” (p. 214). Sembene reveals that solidarity of men and women in class struggle cannot be in
vain, as governor has decided to listen to the demands of the strikers.
Furthermore, the epilogue marks the victory of the strikers. When women join men in the struggle and march to
Dakar, they overpower the managers of the railway company. Having failed to control the united men and
women, some of the managers flee away. Edouard confesses that they do not have anything else to do. “Look, I
know it’s difficult, but there is nothing else to be done. I didn’t believe it myself, but it happened. Dejean is
already gone. And the whole line is blocked by their men.” (p. 243). Isnard adds that if the continued attacks of
the Europeans by Africans continue, all the Europeans might be forced to vacate, “You’ll see, if this goes on. It
won’t be long before there isn’t a single European left in Africa.” (p.244). Sembene reveals that the Europeans
have lost to the striker, African men and women, who have fought in solidarity to free themselves from
exploitation and discrimination at railway company. Maimouna’s song which is a legend of Goumba reveals
victory of the strikers.
From one sun to another
The combant lasted
After fighting together, blood covered
They transfixed their enemies.
But happy is the man who does battle without hatred. (p.245)
The line “After fighting together, blood covered,” implies the African men and women have been confronting
the managers of the railway company as a united force while the line “They transfixed their enemies,” reveals
the victory of the strikers as the managers of the strikers were overpowered.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Ngugi and Sembene bring out a perception of gender that only enhances class struggle but also
brings about gender harmony. When men and women work together with a common goal, they build a good
working relationship as opposed to the idea of gender equality that may bring about gender conflict as men fight
to maintain their dominating position. Their works are a call for men and women to unite and work together to
free the society. the study has revealed that the support that men and women offer to each other enhances class
struggle. This is demonstrated through the developments that are witnessed in Ilmorog in Petals of Blood and
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the governor in God’s Bits of Wood who promises that the demands of railway workers who are on strike will
be considered.
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