The woman’s role in the society has been that of marriage and child bearing

          

The woman’s role in the society has been that of marriage and child bearing. However, with time the woman has become a force to reckon with in the society.Write an essay in support of this statement using illustrations from Margaret Ogola’s The River and the Source.

Introduction

     The passing of time and inevitable changes in the way of life have also influenced the roles played by the women in the society.  They have been looked at as important as they bring in wealth at marriage and also ensure the continuity of the community in child bearing.  These roles have changed the woman gets empowered through education and takes up different roles even those played by men.  The women in “The River and the Source” have clearly embraced the new and become strong forces to reckon with in the society as evident in my essay.

     Akoko

     Gets married, has only three children but remains so relevant and adored by her husband who refuses to marry another woman in order to get more children. She is accused of bewitching her husband not to marry another wife and the brother-in-law threatens to beat her up.  To them she is  a failure in marriage.  Akoko threatens to severe her marriage, something unheard of in the community. Akoko is so hardworking and makes so much wealth, more than was paid for her bride price. She is her chief’s husband adviser and he loved visiting her later in the evening just to hear her talk. She changes Otieno as she fights for her inheritance and her grandson’s chieftaincy. She encourages her daughter to seek a new life when her life turns sour. She makes an epic journey to Kisuma to defend her wealth, inheritance and the chieftaincy that belonged to her grandson. She supports Awiti’s going to college.

     Elizabeth

     Does excellence in school.  She is the only girl remaining in a class of eleven.  The other girls drop out to go and marry. Out of the eleven only five passed, Awiti being the best among them.  She gets an admission to a teacher’s training college. Everyone looks at her suspiciously since she is a girl, clever and showed it openly.  She receives commendation after commendation.  People feel she should try to hide her brilliance else no man would want to marry her (Pg 130).          Supports Wandia pursuit of further education.

     Vera

     A brilliant student in school that scoops trophy.  She is top of her class in primary school and almost gets a perfect score at her final primary school exam. After her ordinary level exam, she gets a first division pass securing a place in her dream nation a field dominated by men.  She does well in college and becomes an electronics expert with a lucrative job in the city with a large salary and all sorts of benefits. She refuses to get married and becomes a member of the opus dei community.

     Wandia

     She is a challenge for Oloo who has never believed he could be defeated by a girl.  She stands her ground and asserts her position even in a group of male students. She performs excellency to scoop 78 points to be the top student in her class in campus. She goes for further studies and attains a PHD in medicine and becomes the chairperson of the department pathology at the University of Nairobi.  She is the first woman to attain such a feat in Kenya.

     Conclusion

     It is evidence that the role of the woman has changed.  She does much more than just bearing children and bring in bride price.