UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI
Maiduguri, Nigeria
CENTRE FOR DISTANCE
LEARNING
ARTS
ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
ENG 223:
2
MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNIT: 2
UNIT:
ii
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
Published
UNIT: 2
2009©
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in
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permission in writing from the University of Maiduguri.
This text forms part of the learning package for the academic
programme of the Centre for Distance Learning, University of
Maiduguri.
Further enquiries should be directed to the:
Coordinator
Centre for Distance Learning
University of Maiduguri
P. M. B. 1069
Maiduguri, Nigeria.
This text is being published by the authority of the Senate,
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri – Nigeria.
ISBN:
978-8133-
iii
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNIT: 2
P R E F A C E
This study unit has been prepared for learners so that they can
do most of the study on their own. The structure of the study unit
is different from that of conventional textbook. The course writers
have made efforts to make the study material rich enough but
learners need to do some extra reading for further enrichment of
the knowledge required.
The learners are expected to make best use of library facilities
and where feasible, use the Internet. References are provided to
guide the selection of reading materials required.
The University expresses its profound gratitude to our course
writers and editors for making this possible. Their efforts will no
doubt help in improving access to University education.
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CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNIT: 2
Professor M. M. Daura
Ag Vice-Chancellor
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CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNIT: 2
HOW TO STUDY THE UNIT
You are welcome to this study Unit. The unit is arranged to
simplify
your
study.
In
each
topic
of
the
unit,
we
have
introduction, objectives, in-text, summary and self-assessment
exercise.
The study unit should be 6-8 hours to complete. Tutors will
be available at designated contact centers for tutorial. The center
expects you to plan your work well. Should you wish to read
further you could supplement the study with more information
from the list of references and suggested readings available in the
study unit.
PRACTICE EXERCISES/TESTS
1. Self-Assessment Exercises (SAES)
This is provided at the end of each topic. The exercise can
help you to assess whether or not you have actually studied and
understood the topic. Solutions to the exercises are provided at the
end of the study unit for you to assess yourself.
2. Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA)
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UNIT: 2
This is provided at the end of the study Unit. It is a form of
examination type questions for you to answer and send to the
center. You are expected to work on your own in responding to the
assignments. The TMA forms part of your continuous assessment
(C.A.) scores, which will be marked and returned to you. In
addition, you will also write an end of Semester Examination,
which will be added to your TMA scores.
Finally, the center wishes you success as you go through the
different units of your study.
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ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNIT: 2
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Theme is often interchangeably used with subject matter. If a distinction is to
be made between ‘theme and subject matter, the former will mean the central idea
dominating a novel while the latter will be the broad materials which make up the
story and these will include the topic of the story, the character, the setting and the
language. In short, a theme is a subject matter, idea, concept or issue, which the
writer gives some treatment and development over time and space in the novel. You
can identify a theme in a novel by watching the relationships and events in the story
and identifying them with real life situations in the society that provides the
background for the novelist.
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ENG. 223:
UNIT: 2
MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNITS: 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
PREFACE
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HOW TO STUDY THE UNIT
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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
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TOPIC:
1.0.
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF ARMAH’S
THE BEAUTIFUL ONES ARE NOT YET BORN
2.0.
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF NGUGI’S
PETALS OF BLOOD
3.0.
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THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF ORUCHE’S
VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE -
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THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF DUROHA’S
EATERS OF DUST
4.0.
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THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF IFEOEGBUNA’S
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A MAN OF DESTINY
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THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF OJEDIRAN’S
THE GOVERNOR’S WIFE
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SOLUTION TO EXERCISES
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TOPIC 1:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
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TOPIC:
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF ARMAH’S
THE BEAUTIFUL ONES ARE NOT YET BORN-
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1.1.
INTRODUCTION -
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OBJECTIVES
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REFERENCE
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SUGGESTED READING
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1.0. TOPIC:
UNIT: 2
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF AFRICAN
FICTION I
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Theme is often interchangeably used with subject matter. If a distinction is to
be made between ‘theme and subject matter, the former will mean the central idea
dominating a novel while the latter will be the broad materials which make up the
story and these will include the topic of the story, the character, the setting and the
language. In short, a theme is a subject matter, idea, concept or issue, which the
writer gives some treatment and development over time and space in the novel. You
can identify a theme in a novel by watching the relationships and events in the story
and identifying them with real life situations in the society that provides the
background for the novelist.
On the other hand, technique refers to the ingredients that go into the style of
an author. A writer’s style would vary from one work to the other so that the
characteristics of style in one novel would not be the same in the other novel even by
the same author. Technique refers to the method by which a written presents his
subject matter in the novel. This invariably refers to such elements.
(a)
how the story is constructed – plot, structure, sequence of events;
(b)
delineation of character-details of people in the novel;
(c)
how close to reality people and events are;
(d)
narrative technique;
(e)
use of language – variations, control, dialogue, relevance to character,
etc.
(f)
writers vision, imaginativeness.
1.2 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
i.
Define the term theme and technique.
ii.
Recognize the theme explored by Armah in The Beautify Ones are not Yet
Born.
iii.
Discuss the general techniques employed by the author in the novel.
1.3 IN-TEXT
1.3.1 Themes and techniques of Armah’s The Beautiful Ones
are Yet Born
The picture which Armah paints of life in the post-independence Ghana is
one of despair, suffering, disillusionment and decay. The politicians of the
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post-independence, especially in Africa perceived political power as a means
of enriching themselves at the expense of the masses, who gave them political
mandate to rule them. The ugly political situation made the Ghanaian masses
to become disillusioned and disenchanted with the existing political system.
As a result, corrupt, abuse of office, bribery in the society and indiscipline
become prevalent in all nooks and crannies of the society.
Themes explored therefore are
1.
Corruption in politics
2.
Bribery and corruption
3.
Despair with independence
4.
Moral decadence
5.
Disillusionment
6.
Indiscipline
The technique employed by the author which catches the readers attention is
the disgust with which the author expresses the corruption he sees
everywhere.
In The Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born, language is vertebrate in both
narrative method and technique, it is clearly applied to explain vividly the
interior and exterior world view with the basic theme of corruption as a
national calamity that defies development with poverty, despair, and violence
representing the ultimate reality of Ghana. Armah uses images and symbols of
decay and rottenness to paint the picture of Ghana as the central character the
man walks to his office at the railway station. All structures and features and
the dirty surrounding reinforce the nation of corruption and large scale
degradation of the environment. The author’s emphasis on the in-falling
victory of the decaying word is a warning to the reader to expect more picture
of filth, rottenness, offensive odor and various forms of low moral behaviour
of Ghanaians. People like “the man and the teacher” who tried all their
possible best to avoid corruption did not succeed.
1.4
SUMMARY
We have seen how Armah’s The Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born presents
bribery and corruption in the Ghanaian society; the different ways involves the
incidents in the office of the railway corporation where a clerk accepts a bribe
from the one of the timber merchants to have his timber transported to the
Coast. Since almost all are involved in bribe taking, even the soldier that
overthrow the corrupt regime, Armah concludes that the beautiful ones are
not yet born.
1.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISES
1.
Discuss the main theme of Armah’s The Beautiful Ones are not Yet Born.
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2.
UNIT: 2
List four techniques that helped to develop the plot of the novel.
1.6
REFERENCES
Armah, Ayi Kwei The Beautiful Ones are not Yet Born. London: Heinemann
Educational Books, 1969.
Nkosi, Lewis Tasks and Masks: Themes and Styles in African Literature Essex:
Longman Studies in Africa Literature. 1981.
1.7
SUGGESTED READING
Eldred, Jones “Review of the Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born” in African
Literature Today Vol. 3.
Eustace Palmer The Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born An Introduction in the African
Novels. London: Heinemann. 1977.
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TOPIC 2:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
8.0.
TOPIC:
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF NGUGI’S
PETALS OF BLOOD
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OBJECTIVES
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SUGGESTED READING
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2.0
TOPIC:
UNIT: 2
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF
AFRICAN FICTION II
2.1
INTRODUCTION
The novel has been used by African writers to show the experiences of their
people at various periods of the development of the various periods of the
development of the continent. These experiences are alike in most African
countries and since you are Africans, you are, to some extent familiar with
these things. While colonialism was less debilitating in West Africa, in East
Africa it wasn’t colonialism brings a great deal of changes. It tampers with the
traditional pattern of life, imposes foreign values on the indigenous people as
it institutes new leadership. Wealth and natural resources are often
redistributed in favour of the new leadership and an entirely new system
comes into being. These are issues that interest Ngugi in the Kenya of the
post independence era. In this lecture we shall study Ngugi’s Petals of Blood, by
examining the major themes that derive from the impact of colonialism. We
will also look at the narrative techniques and other issues that contribute to
the development of the novel.
2.2
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
2.3
identify and discuss the major theme of the novel.
Relate the major theme to other themes.
Discuss the narrative techniques of the novel.
Identify issues that contribute to the growth of the novel.
IN-TEXT
2.3.1 Themes and narrative techniques of Ngugi – Wa
Thiongo’s Petals of Blood
2.3.1.1
THEMES
The novel Petals of Blood treats the theme of economic and religious
exploitation. Petals of Blood is a story of post independent Kenya, it talks about
the promise of “Uhuru”, which never materialized at least not in the near
future according to the novel. The independence brought sorrow instead of
happiness.
Petals of Blood is set in the small remote village of Timorog which serve for
Ngugi as a metaphor for development throughout Kenya in the post colonial
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era. Four characters, each originally from the larger nearby city of Limuru,
make their way to the village. Each character comes to Iimorog motivated
largely by a desire to escape the pervasive makes afflicting Kenya after Uhuru
(independence): and each of the four characters serves to illustrate a different
strategy for coping in the oppressive conditions of the new black-run country.
In Petals of Blood, the people’s betrayal is complete and the peasants and workers for
whom the man-man war was fought have further been alienated from the land, which
to them is the source of life.
Ngugi’s preoccupation in Petals of Blood is the theme of exploitation of the land and
the people of Kenya economically and religiously.
2.3.1.2
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE
In Petals of Blood, Ngugi uses a variety of narrative method and adopts a
technique of broken chronology and interrupted accounts of individual
stories.
The events of the book covers about ten days. He colourfully relays his
message through the use of folklores, legends symbolism and collective effort
of the antagonistic characters in order to concrete his social stand. Here the
author is seen as reporting events where appropriate and demonstrating verbs
were necessary.
Ngugi uses flash back successfully in the course of exploring the various
themes which he treats in the novel: like a detective story, the novel starts after
a crime of murder has been committed and the police moved in to arrest the
suspected culprits in the persons of munira, Karega, Abdulla and Wanja. The
whole story is told in retrospect.
2.4
SUMMARY
Ngugi’s Petal of Blood treated the theme of exploitation: economically and
religiously. Although Kenya is independent, the people are alienated from the
land which the new middle class, backed, by capitalist multi-national
companies, are trying to take away from the peasants by using continuity.
2.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
1.
What is the main theme of Petals of Blood?
2.
What is the main contribution of Christianity to the cause of the
Blackman?
2.6
REFERENCES
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Ngugi Wa Thiongo Petals of Blood London: Heinemann 1977.
Ngugi Wa Thiong The Water and His Part: Home Coming. London: Heinemann
1988.
2.7
SUGGESTED READINGS
Killam C.D. Introduction to the Writing of Ngugi.
Smith Angela: East African Writing in English. London: Macmillan. 1978.
TOPIC 3:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
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THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF DUROHA’S
EATERS OF DUST -
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SUGGESTED READING
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3.0
TOPIC:
UNIT: 2
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF AFRICAN
FICTION III
3.1
INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian civil war has given birth to what according to Obafemi (1992)
could be called a national literature in Nigeria. The events which besieged the
country almost immediately, after independence in 1960 turned the writers
focus away from cultural renaissance to the search for an adequate metaphor
to define their communities. The war, with its horrors and atrocities,
traumatized the writers, working a deep concern for society’s fate and a
conscious guest for social restructuring through art and political activitism.
This lecture will as in the preceding ones be in two segments: themes and
techniques of Duroha’s Eaters of Dust.
3.2
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lecture, the students should be able to:
i.
ii.
iii.
3.3
3.3.1
discuss the background to the work;
identify and discuss the themes of the work;
analyse the narrative techniques of the work.
IN-TEXT
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF DUROHA’S
EATERS OF DUST
The novel Eaters of Dust treat the theme of Boy Soldier phenomenon during
the Biafran – Nigerian war which raged for three years between 1967-1990.
The narration like Ngugi’s Petals of Blood, starts at the end of the war, the war
which ended by January 1970. As the novel unfolds, we see a riotous
withdrawal of the weak and Biafran forces from various fronts. The narrator
stands a good chance where he has first hand information, for he is narrating
as a participant in the withdrawal.
From his vantage portion he says:
… watching the clouds of dust floating along the main road, the
pudding feet of fleeing soldiers and civilians sounded like is
continuous stampede of wild horses … (p.1).
The boy-soldier phenomenon in this novel is aspect that concerns us
seriously. And here we have read how the narrator and the one with whom
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the larger part of the conversation are done were both boys, Ndueze and
Chima. Both of them served in the army of Biafra in different capacities.
One is a boy soldier in the Sergeants’ Mess and the other a Batman to Captain
Bazooka. Appropriately many boys went to the war of which they didn’t
know the cause:
Who caused this war…?
This wicked bloody war. Who?
Nobody… Everybody. Those little things we all did to each other? Yet
was nobody conscious of it all?
Many of them died and of course as always the case with wars some survived.
The other themes of the novel includes religious hypocrisy, war propanda and
homosexuality during war. Duroha has written about the Nigerian civil war
from a disinterest perspective. We can conclude that he has written to
straightened records that has been neglected by other authors like Okpi’s
Biafran Testament.
From the fore going the Boy Soldier phenomenon was a wanton destruction
of the youth. There was conscription on one side, poor training leading to
undue killings in the war on the other side. Even the description of the fear
on the youngsters face as if they were being taken for execution is quite sad.
3.3.2 TECHNIQUES
The plait and themes of the novel are made obvious to us by the competent
manner in which the novelist handles his narrative. The omnicent narrator
makes everything explicit to the reader through objective reportage of events,
apt characterizations, vivid descriptions and dialogues that create dramatic
effectiveness. All those narrative devices function in co-operation with one
another and help to project the novelist’s vision.
The direct reportage device is usually reinforced by vivid descriptions. This
technique serves as a means of setting the scene revealing details about a
situation and drawing attention to what takes place in the mind of the central
character.
Self-probing passages abound in the novel. Such passages reveal how the
characters analyse situations and strive to come to terms with recurrent
problems in their lives. The self-probing sessions combine with the actions or
incidents involving various characters and what the characters say about
themselves or other characters to reveal the true nature of a particular
character.
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3.4
SUMMARY
Eaters of Dust is a gory story of double jeopardy. Biafrans lost the war and were
being administered by the Federal Troops that settled in the Grammar School
from where the narrator tells us the rest of the story. The story of surviving
the end of the war. The boys slaving and the girls bowing down to the
soldiers and sundry. The boys begin to steal to survive, others become
homosexuals and yet others become prostitutes. Emergency traders and all
manners of survival technique emerge at the end of the war.
3.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXECISES
1.
What is the main pre-occupation of Duroha’s Eaters of Dust.
2.
Discuss the techniques employed in the novel.
3.6
REFERENCES
Obafemi, Olu Nigerian Writers on the Nigerian Civil War Ilorin: J. Olu Olatiregun
(Nig) Company.
3.7
SUGGESTED READING
Obafemi, Olu Nigerian Writers on the Nigerian Civil War Ilorin: J. Olu Olatiregun
(Nig) Company.
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TOPIC 4:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
10.0. TOPIC:
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF ORUCHE’S
VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE -
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INTRODUCTION -
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OBJECTIVES
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REFERENCE
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SUGGESTED READING
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4.0
TOPIC:
THEMES
AND
TECHNIQUES
UNIT: 2
OF
AFRICAN
FICTION IV
4.1
INTRODUCTION
Nigerian literary scene has seen a lot of changes from the colonial era to the
post-independence era. With the attainment of independence, colonialism
gave way to neo-colonialism. It is an expose of the nature of the insensitivity,
callousness and insatiable ambition of those who control vested interests in
order to gain power and wealth, improverising the underprivileged, the
underprivileged, imposing misery and suffering upon the majority. Literature
of this period is therefore focused on socio-economic and political
predicaments. The various subject matters of this period is exploitation,
bribery and corruption, employment, poverty, feminism, ritualism, etc.
4.2
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
i.
ii.
4.3
Discuss the thematic pre-occupation of Oruche’s Victim of Circumstance
Write a brief summary of the main features of Victim of Circumstance.
IN-TEXT
4.3.1 THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF ORUCHE’S VICTIMS OF
CIRCUMSTANCE
The plot of the novel is based on the Igbo cultural practice of Osu Caste
System like that of Achebe’s No Longer at Ease. Just like Obi Okonkwo
Cannot Marry Clara despite the Christian religion and Western education, Ego
our (heroine) could not marry, Nduka. Then Osu caste system is predominant
in the Eastern part of Nigeria. The Osu Caste system is intertwined with other
subject-matter such as the themes of oppression, discrimination, love and
marriage and team spirit.
Despite pleas by brother Job Agoro to allow the lovers get married they
remained adamant. He therefore concludes thus:
Our people let me answer this question. The custom has been
Kept by on ancestors who are dead and who we do not know.
He urges them that Umnezeako are only Victims of Circumstance. As
civilization has set in and religion too condemns discrimination on all bases,
therefore, they have to abolish the Osu caste system in Igbo land.
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4.3.2 TECHNIQUES OF ORUCHI’S VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE
Apart from the apt description of events through simple diction, Oruche was
able to employ traditional elements such as deities, myths, nature doctors,
proverbs, songs and soothsaying. By doing so we can conclude that the Igbo
people appreciates and acknowledges their ancestral fathers and gods up to
the present time. The historical background of the story is derived from
sources that have witnessed the struggle for power and freedom among a class
of a society.
Events are not arranged chronologically. The novelist uses flash back
technique, to position events in the story. In spite of the tragic essence of the
story, the novelist creates, situations of humour, etc. the description of the
Chief Mbana and the two lovers.
The novel is the love story between Nduka “a freeborn” and “Ego, and Osu
who could not marry due to a system established a long link ago. In the story
we realize that Western education and Christianity will remain the anchor to
dismantle such a practice.
4.4
SUMMARY
4.5
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISES
1.
What is an Osu Caste System?
2.
What are the major themes of the novel?
3.
Name and explain five techniques that the novelist employ in the text.
4.6
REFERENCES
Oruche, J. (2003) Victims of Circumstance Nigeria: Literamed Publications (Nig)
Ltd.
Achebe, C. (1960) No Longer Ease London: Heiniemann.
4.7
SUGGESTED READING
Darthrone O. R. African Literature in The Twentieth Century.
Heinemann (1974)
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London:
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UNIT: 2
TOPIC 5:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
11.0. TOPIC:
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF IFEOEGBUNA’S
A MAN OF DESTINY
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5.1.
INTRODUCTION -
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5.2.
OBJECTIVES
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5.3.
IN-TEXT
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5.3.1 THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF IFEOEGBUNA’S
A MAN OF DESTINY
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5.4
SUMMARY -
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5.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE -
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5.6
REFERENCE
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5.7
SUGGESTED READING
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5.0
TOPIC:
THEMES
AND
TECHNIQUES
UNIT: 2
OF
AFRICAN
FICTION V
5.1
INTRODUCTION
In this lecture we shall examine how Ifeoebguna discusses contemporary
issues in the Nigerian society and such are not to alien to the day to day
experiences of ours. The themes, found in the novel includes oppression and
corruption, disillusionment of the down-trodden, love and marriage
misconceptions, and traditional beliefs. The comments you will see below are
to guide you to work out the central theme of the novel A Man of Destiny
5.2
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lecture, you should be able to:i.
ii.
iii.
5.3
5.3.1
Identify and discuss the major theme of the novel.
Describe the author’s style of presentation of events and ideas.
Discuss the literary qualities of the novel.
IN-TEXT
Themes and techniques of Africa Fiction:
Ifeoegbuna’s A Man of Destiny
5.3.1.1
Themes
In A Man of Destiny, oppression is evenly shown at almost every stage of the
story. For instance, the blacksmith Okocha, was beaten to a state of comma
by the barbaric warrior simply because he chased a woman whom one of the
warriors was also interested in corruption in this novel, is seen in the king’s
palace starting from the king himself, down to his personal adviser as well as
the warriors. The people’s disillusionment is brought about by denial of their
human rights by those who stand as their leaders. Marriage proposals were
often denied due to misconceptions and traditional beliefs. A Man of Destiny is
a revenge tragedy which the novelist, structured in order to discourage the last
for power that brings about oppression and corruption leaving the less
privileged in a disillusioned condition. The protagonist Eweli won at last to
prove the saying that “the wages of sin” is death.
5.3.2
Techniques
The novel A Man of Destiny is set in the Eastern part of Nigeria, an Igbo land.
The author uses a number of idioms in his novel which blends his language
and style a native flavour and force. Besides giving us a close and convincing
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UNIT: 2
fiction of a society in transition, this technique helps the xters sound natural
while speaking an alien tongue. An example
You can bark if you can’t bite (p.11)
Bundu the Chief Commander and lion heart (16)
The eagle among warriors (16)
You expected the mighty thunder to waste his breath on a poor
wretched music (83)
The images of such words as “lion heart” eagle, mighty thunder, etc. makes
the story vivid and memorable.
The language in this novel as well as the one’s treated before have been
domesticated. The English language is used but it has been made to partake
of the speech rhythms of traditional African and literature, adopt syntactical
patterns that reflect the local speech habits, flourish on proverbs and
figurative expressions that reflect African culture and philosophy, bristle with
images drawn from the local environment and out look on life.
5.4
SUMMARY
In this lecture we conclude our discussion by remarking and exploring the
various techniques used by the novelist to realize the events, which project the
themes. These techniques include description, the creation of dramatic
immediacy through dialogue, and the effective use of humour.
5.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISES
1.
Name four major themes broached in A Man of Destiny
2.
Name three narrative devices used in realizing the events and themes in
the novel.
5.6
REFERENCES
Ifeoegbuna, I. (2001) A Man of Destiny. Nigeria – Literamed Publication (Nig)
Ltd.
Olaniyah, R. (1985) Nigerian History and Culture: Hong-Hong Longman Group
Ltd.
5.7
SUGGESTED READING
Opata, D.U. (ed) (2000) Major Themes and Styles in African Lit. Nsukka: AP
Exp. Pub.
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UNIT: 2
TOPIC 6:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
12.0. TOPIC:
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF OJEDIRAN’S
THE GOVERNOR’S WIFE
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6.1.
INTRODUCTION -
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6.2.
OBJECTIVES
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6.3.
IN-TEXT
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6.3.1 THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF OJEDIRAN’S
THE GOVERNOR’S WIFE
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6.4
SUMMARY -
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6.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE -
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6.6
REFERENCE
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6.7
SUGGESTED READING
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6.0
TOPIC:
UNIT: 2
THEMES AND TECHNIQUES OF AFRICAN
FICTION VI
6.1
INTRODUCTION
Having carefully gone through the materials provided in the preceding five
lectures you are now in a position to discuss with confidence. Some of the
main characteristics of African proses (fiction) literature. You have been
introduced to various texts that reveal the thematic and stylistic trends in the
evolution of African prose literature. By comparing the various texts; you
must have discovered that most of them are set in the post-colonial era and
deal with issues such as corruption, disillusionment, nepotism, moral
decadence. The Governors Wife in particular focuses mainly on corruption in
politics.
6.2
OBJECTIVES
The student should be able to:
i.
ii.
iii.
6.3
Identify and discuss the main events in the novel.
Mention and comment on the central theme of the work.
Identify and discuss the narrative technique employed by the writer to
realize the goals.
IN-TEXT
6.3.1 THEMES
AND
TECHNIQUES
OF
AFRICAN
FICTION:
OJEDIRAN’S THE GOVERNORS WIFE
In this lecture we will examine the ills of leadership as it affects the African
continent and the effects of illiteracy. Ojediran poignantly projects the
difficulties the masses go through at the hands of the inters. He shows the
intrigues, deceptions and ruthlessness of the rulers against the ruled.
Ojediran’s The Governors Wife is a practical embodiment of contemporary
Nigerian ill. He brings out the relationship between the governor and the
governed; the oppressor’s and the oppressed; the rich and the poor. His novel
adds to the number of novels that have dwelt on the themes of corruption,
misrule and exploitation.
Ojediran trails the path of Soyinka’s The Interpreters, where one of the main
issues which underlies the social conflict is described in the novel, namely the
antagonism between the intellectual and the political elite. According to
Gakurandi (1977:68).
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UNIT: 2
As many recent commentators have pointed out, the political
elite in Africa today consist largely of professional politician who,
mainly because of their slight education, and not equipped to paid
alternative jobs. Their main qualification for holding political
office is their unquestioning loyalty to the party and the leader.
Suffice to say, this is the class of people responsible for intolerance, electoral
fraud, and the creation of politically meaningless party systems.
6.3.2 TECHNIQUES
From the nature of events revealed in the previous lectures, it is easy for us to
conclude that there is usually a marked difference between the ideals that
inspire any endeavour and its practical realization. In this novel the narrative
techniques include the nature of first person narrative; the levels of language
use by politicians, the educators, the administrators and the ordinary people,
the subject-corruption, episodic plot, characterization and multiple settings.
By the use of such devices, Ojediran is able to project the lives of political
office holders as a career of long turn round country, accompanied by
extravagant ceremonies, numerous foreign insists, money laundering and the
endless seduction of young women, married or single alike. Ojediran has given
us a panoramic interpretation of the forces against development in a country
that has the resources to create jobs, decrease the inflation index and to give
its populace a decent life.
6.4
SUMMARY
In conclusion this lecture has made an effort in exposing the dirty nature of
politics, those at the corridors of power, those who help in destroying the
future of Nigeria. As the eye of his people Ojediran exposes the Secrets of
those at the helm of affairs.
6.5
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISES
1.
What is central to the plot development in the novel?
2.
Name five characters and describe the roles of any two of them in the
novel.
3.
Name four narrative techniques in the novel.
6.6
REFERENCES
Bisi Ojediran, (2000) The Governors Wife Nigeria: Heinemann.
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
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UNIT: 2
Gakwandi, A. S. (1977) The Novel Contemporary Experience in Africa Nigeria:
Heinemann.
6.7
SUGGESTED READING
Opata, D. U. (2000), (ed) Major Themes in African Literature Nsukka: A.P
Express Publishers.
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
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ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
UNIT: 2
SOLUTIONS TO THE EXERCISES
TOPIC 1
1.
2.
Themes Explored are:
(a)
Corruption in politics
(b)
Bribery and corruption
(c)
Despair with independence
(d)
Moral decadence
(e)
Disillusionment
(f)
Indiscipline
He uses the techniques of
(a)
Images and symbols of decay and rottenness.
(b)
Powerful use of language
(c)
Characterization without naming them, just “The man and the
teacher”.
(d)
The use of flashback.
TOPIC 2
1.
TOPIC 3
1.
1.
Exploitation: religiously and economically.
2
Alienation from the ancestral land.
3.
The need to revolt against the capitalists.
4.
Neo-colonialism by multi-national companies.
The picturesque estates of the elite are occupied by Chui, Mzigo,
Kimera, Nderi Wa Riera, Ezekiel Waweru, the Reverend Jerrod and
their fellows, who are seen as malignat and vicious, hypocritical and
exploitive public officers: School administrators legislators, church
dignitaries-Christians. While basking in their good life, they seek to
bolster up a social order which protects their selfish comforts and
nelegates the multitude to perpetual poverty.
The novel Eaters of Dust by Duroha, treats, the theme of Boy Soldier
phenomenon during the Biafran – Nigeria civil war which raged for
three years between 1967-1970. the narration like Ngugi’s Petals of
Blood, starts at the end of the war, the war which ended by January
1970. As the novel unfolds, we see a riotous withdrawal of the
weakened Biafran forces from various fronts. The themes are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Soldiering boys
Religious hypocrisy
War propaganda
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ENG 223 – MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
2.
(d)
Homosexuality
(e)
Effects of war
Techniques
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
TOPIC 4
1.
2.
Competent narration
Flashback as the novel starts at the end of the war.
Objective reportage of events.
Apt characterization.
Vivid description and dialogues.
Self probing passages.
Osu caste system forbid those people who committed a crime in the
past and now cannot eat or marry the freeborn.
Themes
(a)
The evils of Osu caste system.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
3.
UNIT: 2
Marriage misconception.
Oppression by the royal family
Discrimination
Love and marriage
Team spirit in overcoming difficulties.
Techniques
Apart from the apt description of events through simple diction, use of
traditional elements and flashbacks to position events in the story.
TOPIC 5
1.
2.
TOPIC 6
1.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Oppression of the masses by the rulers.
Denial of freedom and human rights
Disillusionment of the people
Domesticating of English language with Igbo flavour
Justice will emerge with those who are innocent
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The use of Igbo idioms
The use of powerful images
The use of dramatic immediacy through dialogues
The use of effective humour
(a)
Intrigues, deceptions and ruthlessness of the rulers against
ruled.
Corruption, misrule and exploitation
(b)
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(c)
UNIT: 2
Antagonism between the intellectual and political elite
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2.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
UNIT: 2
Governor Hudd
Abel
Dr. Idi Camp
The Governor’s wife.
The Governor is the one who disappoint his people. Abel is the
protagonist who unveils the adulterous nature of those in power.
3.
Techniques
(a)
First person narrative
(a)
The language of the politicians
(b)
Episodic plots
(c)
Multiple settings
(d)
Panoramic interpretation
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UNIT: 2
TUTOR – MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1.
Define the term theme and how it is employed by African novelist.
2.
Using any text you have studied in this course, discuss fine techniques from
modern Nigerian novel.
3.
Discuss in general the concern of post independence Nigerian literature.
4.
Define prose fiction
5.
Identify at least five necessary ingredients which make up a novel.
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