Metafiction and Self-Reflexivity in Contemporary Kenyan Literature: A Comparative Study of Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor's Dragonfly Sea and Khadija Abdalla Bajaber's The House of Rust

Abstract

This comparative study offers an in-depth analysis of metafiction and self-reflexivity in Yvonne AdhiamboOwuor’s Dragonfly Sea and Khadija Abdalla Bajaber’s The House of Rust. Both novels employ innovative literary techniques to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination, prompting readers to question the very nature of narrative. In Dragonfly Sea, protagonist Ayaana’s introspective storytelling interrogates traditional ideas of authorship and investigates the ways memory shapes identity. In contrast, The House of Rust deploys self-referential strategies as its characters ponder their existence, break the fourth wall, and actively involve the reader in the unfolding story. This study also explores how Owuor and Abdalla Bajaber use intertextuality, allusions to other literary works, and cultural references to add richness and complexity to their narratives. The two novels share central themes such as women’s empowerment and the construction of identity, using narrative approaches that challenge readers to reflect on the purpose and power of fiction. By threading these techniques throughout their work, both authors destabilize the boundary between fiction and reality, encouraging readers to contemplate not only the stories themselves but also the process and significance of storytelling. Both recent novels question conventional notions of truth, foreground multiple perspectives, and reveal the role of narrative in shaping both personal and collective identities.

Key words: Metafiction, Self-reflexivity, Intertextuality, Narrative Identity, Empowerment