UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI
Maiduguri, Nigeria
CENTRE FOR DISTANCE
LEARNING
ARTS
ENG 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
ENG 331:
3
MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
UNIT:
ii
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
Published
UNIT: 3
2008©
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in
any form, by mimeograph or any other means without prior
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 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
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 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
Professor J. D. Amin
Vice-Chancellor
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CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
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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CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
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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CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
ENG 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
English 331, titled Modern African fiction II offers an in depth and further
studies in African literature. It is impliedly an extension of the coverage of part II
course. It is expected to expose students to the study of more African novels and
short stories with major emphasis in THEMES and TECHNIQUES. The course
certainly selects some text across African continent and an in-text study of these texts
shall be carried out during the course.
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ENG 331:
UNIT: 3
MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
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: DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF MODERN
AFRICAN FICTION (LITERATURE) II -
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TOPIC 2: AN ANALYSIS OF CHINUA ACHEBE’S
A Man of the People
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TOPIC 3: AN ANALYSIS OF NGUGI’S
A Grain of Wheat
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TOPIC 4: AN ANALYSIS OF FERDINAND OYONO’S
House Boy -
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TOPIC 5: AN ANALYSIS OF FESTUS IYAYI’S NOVEL
Violence -
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TOPIC 6: AN ANALYSIS OF AYI KWEI ARMAH’S
The Healers
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UNIT: 3
SOLUTION TO EXERCISES
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TOPIC 1:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
1.0
TOPIC:
DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF MODERN
AFRICAN FICTION (LITERATURE) II
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1.1
INTRODUCTION -
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1.2
OBJECTIVES
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1.3
IN-TEXT
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1.3.1 WHAT IS A PROSE (FICTION)? -
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1.3.2 DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROSE (FICTION) -
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1.3.3 THE GROWTH OF MODERN AFRICAN FICTION
(LITERATURE)
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SUMMARY -
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REFERENCES
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1.0 TOPIC:
UNIT: 3
DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF MODERN AFRICAN
FICTION (LITERATURE) II
1.1 INTRODUCTION
There are different kinds of fiction in literature. These sub-genres are
Biographical, autobiographical, historic, narrative, scientific etc. Prose as a
main genre in literature developed across a period of human existence and
thus the popular saying that “literature does not exist in a vacuum” but it
grows out of the various activities of human beings in the society.
1.2 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
i.
Define the term prose (fiction).
ii.
Explain the different types of prose (fiction) in literature.
iii.
Discuss the growth of the modern African fiction (prose).
1.3 IN-TEXT
1.3.1
What Is A Prose (Fiction)?
A prose is one of the major genres of literature. It is synonymously used with
the word fiction. Prose as a category could either be fiction or non-fiction. As the
name implied fiction refers to work of art that is not true to life, and non fiction is
the opposite.
Prose (fiction) therefore is simply a piece of writing that is either fictions or
non-fictitious.
1.3.2
Different Types Of Prose (Fiction)
There are different kinds of fiction in literature as a category or sub-category.
These are:
1.3.2.1 Biographical Novels (Prose)
This is the type of prose written in a language to depict the life story of
someone in either historical perspective of an individual or without following
a historical sequence.
1.3.2.2 Autobiographical Prose
The type of writing that is written by an Author about himself, on himself
to the people or reader.
1.3.2.3 Historic Prose
A type of prose writing that present historical facts or events in a sequence
in literary form as a novel in literature.
1.3.2.4 Narrative Prose
This is the type of prose that deals with story-telling. Infact, it pays more
attention in narrating how, when and why a particular thing happens.
1.3.2.5
Scientific Prose
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In this type of prose major attention is paid to things that happen in an
event rather than the event itself, readers fed with up-to-date information of
the event while the factors that led to such gathering and its description are
abandoned.
1.3.3
The
Growth
of
Modern
African
Fiction
(literature)
Modern literature is mankind’s entire body of writing. It is the body of writing
belonging to a given language or people, and then it is individual piece of writing. It is
therefore a body of written works. Literature on the whole may be classified
according to a variety of systems, including language, national origin, historical
period, genre and subject matter.
Literature generally evolves out of a people’s historical and cultural experience.
In the case of African literature this experience was completely different from the
Western. Inevitably, the attitudes of African writers to certain subjects are likely to
differ from those of western writers. Since, it is argued, the African writer goes to
traditional culture for the sources of his inspiration and occasionally for his
techniques, the form of the works he produces will not be western, or they will at
least involve a considerable modification of western forms. It is reasonable to
assume, that the formal aspects of African prose (literature) is derived largely from
indigenous form.
At this juncture, African and Western novels differ importantly in the use of
language. African novelists writing in English use the language differently from
English novelists, either because of inadequate control of a linguistic medium which
is not native to them, or through the realization that the frontiers of the language
have to be extended to accommodate their insights. In the majority of cases,
therefore, an African novel written in English is unlikely to read like an English one.
It is also conceivable that, given the difference in cultural and historical
background, the themes of African novels might be different from Western ones.
This also applies, of course, to setting, which is perhaps the most obvious indicator
of the “Africanness” of a novel. The younger generation of African novelists, are
now concerning themselves with new themes, and it is observed that the
preoccupation with certain stock themes was only a passing phase.
Indeed, in the very vexed exercise of defining African literature, this question
of point of view, or spirit, or attitude is the one definite factor that can reliably be
referred to as distinguishing African literature from other literatures. In a nutshell,
African novel evolved from the well-established tradition of African prose writing
and the even more ancient tradition of oral literature. It is important to note that
African prose writing did not start with Amos Tutuola and Cyprian Ekwensi as
Lalage Bown has demonstrated. She shows that the range and wealth of African
prose writing from the eighteenth-century figures Eguiano, Ignatius Sancho and
Cuguano.
However, Tuluola was the first significant writer of fiction in Africa to make
elaborate use of traditional tales.
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1.4 SUMMARY
Prose is one of the different categories of literature. A prose or fiction can be
either fictitious or non-fictitious. There are different kinds of prose (fiction) in
literature among others are Biographical, autobiographical, historic, narrative,
scientific etc. Indeed, modern African prose (fiction) started time immemorial in the
sense that it started or evolves out of people’s historical/cultural experience. It is
worth noting that African literature evolved from the well-established tradition of
African prose writing and the even more ancient tradition, or oral literature. Worthy
to mention that Amos Tutuola was the first significant writer of Fiction in Africa to
make elaborate use of traditional tales.
1.5 SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
1.
Define the term prose (fiction).
2.
List at least five different types of prose (fiction) in literature.
3.
Tersely, explain the growth of modern African literature (prose).
1.6 REFERENCE
Kennedy, J.K. Literature: An Introduction To Fiction, Poetry And Drama.
Boston: Little, Brown and company, 1973.
Moody, M.C.B. The Teaching of Literature. Longman: London, 1971.
Palmer, Eustace. The Growth of the African Novel. Heinemann,
London,
1979.
1.7 SUGGESTED READING
Beier, Ulli. Ed. Introduction to African literature. Longman: London, 1967.
Cook, David. African Literature: A Critical View. Longman: London, 1977.
Dathorne, O.R. African Literature In The Twentieth Century. Heinemann,
London, 1975.
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UNIT: 3
TOPIC 2:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
2.0.
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF CHINUA ACHEBE’S
A Man Of The People -
2.1.
INTRODUCTION
2.2.
OBJECTIVES
2.3.
IN-TEXT
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2.3.1. THE PLOT -
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2.3.2. THEMES
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2.3.3. TECHNIQUES
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SUMMARY -
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2.5.
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2.0.
of
TOPIC:
UNIT: 3
AN ANALYSIS OF CHINUA ACHEBE’S A Man
The People
2.1.
INTRODUCTION
This topic seeks to expose the students on the novel A man of the People
written by Chinua Achebe. The novel projects a typical African situation after
independence by implication Nigeria. An analysis of these situations as
depicted by the author shall be studied bearing in mind the thematic and the
authors techniques as well.
2.2.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
i.
Identify the major theme of the Novel.
ii.
Identify issues that led to the growth of the novel
iii.
Discuss the narrative techniques of the novel.
2.3.
IN-TEXT
2.3.1.
The Plot
A Man Of The People is a novel set in post independence Nigeria and revolves
round the degree of acquisitiveness and unrestrained corruption which have come to
dominate Nigerian life.
The entire story revolves around chief M.P. Nanga a politician who sought for
a political office. Nanga was the most influential minister next to the prime minister.
Achebe presented two political parties in the novel. They are P.O.P and C.P.C
which is the nationalist party that tends to correct some social ills within the society.
Odili Samalu is another character presented in the novel. He represents an
idealistic view on the whole. He is educated and holds a strong ideal. He is best
described by critics of the novel as a man who holds to his ideology.
2.3.2.
Themes
Theme refers to the subject matter of a work of art. Infact, 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, events in the story and
identifying them with real life situations in the society that provides the background
for the novelist.
The novel A Man of the People treats the theme of corruption and Bribery
which is dominant in the Nigerian life after independence. After the departure of the
British, the people who took over government did not place the interest of the
country at heart. Their aim was only to enrich themselves. The moment these people
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found, themselves in high positions, they seized the opportunity of its economy.
They converted the country’s wealth to their personal use and enjoyment, while
majority of the citizens live in poverty.
The theme of violence and victimization is also depicted in the novel. Odili
Samalu, was victimized not only him but even his parents and relatives. The retention
of political office creates what is called political violence and victimization.
Infact, Achebe gives us a picture of a totally corrupt government. The
attitudes of this corrupt government eventually leads to violence. Violence is used by
the ruling class to retain their positions. Violence is also used by the patriotic
educated elites to do away with the corrupt officers. The situation becomes too
bloody that the army had to violently intervene.
2.3.3.
Techniques
Techniques refer to the ingredients that go into the style of the 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
Techniques refers to the method by which a writer presents his or her subject
matter in the novel. This invariable refers to such elements.
i.
How the story is constructed -plot, structure, sequence to events.
ii.
Delineation of character- details of people in the novel.
iii.
How close to reality people and events are.
iv.
Narrative technique.
v.
Use of language – variations control, dialogue, relevance to character etc.
vi.
Writers vision, imaginativeness.
In A Man of the People, Achebe uses a great deal of techniques to present his
message to the audience. The plot was projected sequentially without serious
breakdown on flashbacks neither a disjointed episodic nature of the events. The
delineation of characters is carried out smoothly as well. A great politician in his
outfit, loved by all, good and the bad, an orator. The author presents Nanga through
out the novel possessing these qualities. Other characters like Odili Samalu was also
presented adequately. A Man of the People while different in tone, more immediate in
subject and more deliberately polemical in purpose. Inshort, the language, style and
the general technique are smoothly clear and intelligently presented.
2.4.
SUMMARY
Achebe’s A Man of the People treated the theme of Corruption, Bribery,
Violence, Victimization, thurgery as characterized in most post colonial African
politics. These monstrous elements are the general characteristics of the present
Nigerian situation. His techniques in terms of language is simple, straightforward.
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2.5.
UNIT: 3
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
1.
What is the main theme of A Man of the People?
2.
Mention at least two techniques employed by the author in the
novel A Man of the People.
3.
Differentiate between “Theme” and “Subject matter”.
2.6.
REFERENCE
Achebe, Chinua. A Man of the People Heinemann: London, 1966.
Achebe, Chinua. Morning Yet on Creation Day Heinemann: London, 1975.
Palmer, Eustace. An introduction to African Novel. Heinemann: London, 1972.
2.7.
SUGGESTED READINGS
Jones, E. Durosimi. African Literature Today. No. 10, Heinemann: New York.
1979.
Killam C. D. Introduction to the writings of Chinua Achebe. Heinemann:
London, 1982.
Larson, Charles. The Emergence of African fiction. Indiana University Press:
London and Bloomington, ind. 1971.
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TOPIC 3:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.0.
TOPIC: AN ANALYSIS OF NGUGI’S A GRAIN OF WHEAT
PAGES
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3.1.
INTRODUCTION -
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3.2.
OBJECTIVES
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3.3.1. THE GROWTH OF THE NOVEL A GRAIN OF WHEAT- 12
3.3.2. THE THEMES OF NGUGI WA THIONGO’S
A GRAIN OF WHEAT
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3.3.3. THE NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES IN THE NOVEL
A GRAIN OF WHEAT
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3.4.
SUMMARY -
3.5.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
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REFERENCE
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SUGGESTED READING -
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3.0.
WHEAT
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF
UNIT: 3
NGUGI’S
A
GRAIN OF
3.1.
INTRODUCTION
Today, African literature has been dominated to some extent by the theme of
nationalism because the African writers have identified themselves as active
nationalist. They have also been concerned to expose the inhumanity and the
bad effects of colonialism on the people of Africa. Moreover this age of
heightened national awareness has taught them and the other Africans the
beauty and the dignity of the African personality as well as the importance of
the beliefs and the African shared values. Progressively, the African writers
and the other African populace are seeking the decolonization of the African
scenes and the overall African image.
3.2.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lecture, students should be able to:
i.
Identify the major themes of the novel A Grain of Wheat by
Ngugi Wa Thiango.
ii.
Discuss the issues that contributed to the growth of the novel.
iii.
Identify and discuss the narrative techniques employed by the
Author in the novel.
3.3.
IN-TEXT
3.3.1.
The Growth Of The Novel A Grain Of Wheat
by Ngugi
The growth and factors that led to the development of the novel A Grain of
Wheat are numerous and the circumstances are also numerous.
Ngugi’s literary vision particularly in this novel A Grain of Wheat hinges on the
apparent historical dimension to enable it accomplish its logical standards. We see the
advent of the white man in Kenya and the accompanying circumstances. That
precedes this advent. Also the other chain of events that followed the advent
occurred in form of the crisis which results from the obnoxious policies of the
colonialism.
On these background we witness the achievement of the society’s national
independence and the dawn of the government, this time the one evolved by the
indigenous people of Kenya.
Indeed, the emergence of a nation depends on the ability of those people
within the enclaves of that nation to evolve the spirit of nation building. Before a
strong nation is built, the people faced with the task must inculcate in themselves the
spirit of unity, patriotism, altruism, sacrifice and heroism. In other words the people
met with a challenge of nation building must be united, in one love for their nation
and should show concern for the general good of the entire nation just as they should
be ready to sacrifice their personal selfish interest and should disregard personal
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danger to see that their dreams for a nation becomes a reality. These factor of course
are what Ngugi has made use of in A Grain of Wheat.
3.3.2.
The Themes Of Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s A Grain Of
Wheat
The novel A Grain of Wheat treats the themes of nationalism and betrayal
adequately.
Nationalism is an age old phenomenon in the human society. It is as aged as
man’s sociological identification with the enclaves of his environment. It could be
defined as “a state of mind in which the individual feels everyone owes his supreme
secular loyalty to the nation”.
Nationalism in the African setting is a natural reaction of the African people
against protracted European domination of the African political, economic and
cultural scenes.
In a nutshell, A Grain of Wheat itself is a novel of heroic achievement
celebrating the myth of Kenya’s national independence and it serves to express the
forces that propelled the independence as well as the counter forces that tried to
hinder the independence, though without success. The title of the novel comes from
the heroic achievement and the sacrifice of a patriotic nationalist Waiyaki who boldly
defied the white man and his weapons of violence. Waiyaki’s legendary achievement
epitomizes the partriotic zeal Africa needs very much to become a viable nation..
The theme of betrayal has been used alongside with the theme of nationalism
to show that Africa will always triumph over the traitorous activities of the few
individuals who collaborate with the enemies of Africa to thwart her efforts of
becoming a great national entity.
Karanja’s association with Mugo throughout in the novel buttresses the theme
of betrayal due to the quest for personal emolument. Karanja hates the society and
during the emergency in the land he became a guard to the Whiteman, helping in
arresting the freedom fighters. In this way he clearly presents himself as an antinationalist.
3.3.3.
The Narrative Techniques In The Novel A Grain
Of Wheat
In the novel A Grain of Wheat Ngugi used a variety of narrative techniques and
adopts the technique of flash back throughout in the novel. This is done to reveal
Mugo’s background. Mugo grew up as an orphan under an ageing harridan who was
never satisfied with whatever Mugo did.
Ngugi uses a high sense of literary creativity through the exposition of
heroism in this novel by the use of certain symbols to conceal actions with the theme
of nationalism. There is the use of fire symbolism of suggesting sacrifice and
atonement. The blood of heroic Waiyaki serves that and also gave birth to a national
front whose main strength affirmed the people’s attachment to their soil.
3.4.
SUMMARY
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UNIT: 3
Ngugi’s A Grain of Wheat treats the theme of nationalism and betrayal. He uses
a lot of narrative, techniques in the novel among others is the use of flashbacks and
symbols.
The much yearning for Kenya’s national independence became a reality
following the unrelated efforts of the society’s patriots who underwent torture and
courageously exhibited heroism and sacrifice. With the achievement of the
independence, the society moves a step forward to evolve a self government as a free
and autonomous entity.
3.5 SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
1.
What are the themes of Ngugi’s A Grain of Wheat?
2.
Discuss the main factor that led to the development of Ngugi’s writing
of the novel A Grain of Wheat.
3.
What is a “flashback” in literary works of art?
3.6.
REFERENCE
Killam, C.D. Introduction to the writing of Ngugi. Heinemann: London,
1980.
Ngugi Wa Thiongo. A Grain of Wheat. Heinemann: London, 1968.
Smith, Angela. East African Writing in English. Macmillan: London, 1978.
3.7. SUGGESTED READING
Ikiddeh, Ime. ‘Ngugi Wa Thiongo; ‘The Novelist As A Historian’ in King and
Ogungbesan (eds), A Celebration of Black And African Writing, op. cit.,
Pp-246-54.
Ngugi wa Thiango. The Writer and His Past: Homecoming. Heinemann:
London, 1988.
Palmer, E. An Introduction to The African Novel. Heinemann: London, 1979.
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TOPIC 4:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
4.0.
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF FERDINAND OYONO’S
HOUSEBOY -
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4.1.
INTRODUCTION -
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4.2.
OBJECTIVES
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4.3.
IN-TEXT
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4.3.1. WHAT IS A SATIRE AND TRAGICOMEDY IN
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4.3.2. THE THEMES OF FERDINAND OYONO’S NOVEL
HOUSEBOY -
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4.3.3. FERDINAND OYONO’S STYLE IN THE NOVEL
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4.4.
SUMMARY -
4.5.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
4.6.
REFERENCE
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SUGGESTED READING -
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4.0.
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF FERDINAND OYONO’S
HOUSEBOY
4.1.
INTRODUCTION
The study now shifts to francophone literature where Ferdinand Oyono sets
out to as a satirist to clean the society of its corrupt injection of the French
colonialists. An examination of the author’s use of tragicomic elements to
expose the unscrupulous and hypocritical activities of the French colonial
masters in the Cameroons. Everything in the novel surrounds the brutalization
of Toundi Joseph. The author ends up the character’s life tragically to
highlight the extent of the brutality of the colonial masters in Africa.
4.2. OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
i.
Define the term satire.
ii.
Discuss the main theme of the novel Houseboy by Oyono.
iii.
Expatiate on the author’s technique of narration in the novel.
4.3.
IN-TEXT
4.3.1.
What
Is
A
Satire
And
Tragicomedy
In
Literature?
Tragicomedy, is an infusion of elements of art. Tragicomedy is elucidatively
defined as “a drama or other literary works combining elements of tragedy and
comedy; incident or series of incidents of mixed tragic and comic character “. This
explains that with tragicomedy one laughs at such events cheerfully and at the
sametime one is overcomed with pity and sadness.
Satire on the other hand is clearly defined as “A literary manner in which the
follies and foibles or even vices and crimes of a person, mankind or an institution are
held up to ridicule or scorn with the intention of correcting them”. Such vices or
follies could be portrayed to the public either tragically or comically or with a
combination of both.
4.3.2.
The Themes Of Ferdinand Oyono’s Novel Houseboy
The theme of Brutality is evidently potrayed vividly in the novel by Oyono.
The protagonist of this novel Toundi, who left his parents at an early age for the
service of the whites came to realize many brutalities that the blacks were
experiencing in the hands of whites. As an innocent young child he was ignorant of
the nefarious activities of the whites. Other themes are exploitation, colonialism and
religion.
4.3.3.
Ferdinand Oyono’s Style In The Novel Houseboy
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Oyono’s style in the novel Houseboy is straightforward. His use of language is
simple and terse. He documents the episodic nature of Toundi’s experiences in a
diary form
Oyono, through his comic and tragic expertise exposes the excesses of the
whites towards the blacks. He uses these tragic and comic elements to shock us to an
awareness or realization of the evils of the colonial masters whose main mission to
Africa was to exploit and dehumanize the blacks.
The author uses sarcasm and irony most frequently. The richness of comedy is
quite vivid but the tone of tragedy is more profound. In fact Oyono has a morbid
sense of humour as regards the colonialists. In the novel the tragicomic elements
struck sympathetic cords in countless readers.
4.4.
SUMMARY
The colonialist claimed that their coming was to evangelize and civilize the
people of the dark continent Africa. To them, evangelism and civilization mean
dehumanization, exploitation and hypocrisy. At least, these were the obnoxious
behaviour they evinced in their administrative procedure in the colony. The society
became so putrid with their nefarious activities that Oyono had to get rid of it with
the detergent-like element–tragicomedy.
4.5.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
1.
Explain the term “Tragicomedy”.
2.
Discuss the theme of Brutality as portrayed in the novel
Houseboy.
3.
Discuss any Two Stylistic devices employed by the author in the
novel Houseboy.
4.6.
REFERENCE
Highet, Culbert. Anatomy of Satire. Princetown University Press: Pricetown,
1962.
Irele, Abiola. The African Experience in Literature and Ideology. Cambridge
University Press: London , 1980.
Oyono, Ferdinand. House Boy. Heinemann: London, 1966.
4.7.
SUGGESTED READING
Darthorne, O.R African Literature in the Twentieth Century. Heinemann,
London, 1982.
Obiechina, Emanuel. Tradition and Society in the West African novel. Cambridge
University Press: London, 1980.
Pieterse, Cosmos and Donald Muno. The Protest And Conflicts In African
Literature. Heinemann: London, 1969.
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UNIT: 3
TOPIC 5:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
5.0.
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF FESTUS IYAYI’S NOVEL
VIOLENCE
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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. THE SOCIO-HISTORICAL BACKGROUN OF THE
NOVEL VIOLENCE
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5.3.2. THE THEME OF CORRUPTION AS DEPICTED IN
IYAYI’S NOVEL VIOLENCE
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5.3.3. THE STYLISTIC DEVICES EMPLOYED BY THE
AUTHOR IN THE NOVEL VIOLENCE
5.4.
SUMMARY -
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SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE -
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5.6.
REFERENCE
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5.7.
SUGGESTED READING -
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5.0.
UNIT: 3
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF FESTUS IYAYI’S NOVEL
VIOLENCE
5.1.
INTRODUCTION
Festus Iyayi’s Violence as a social protest novel satirizes the Nigerian society as
a whole. Violence has been judged from the ideological base as novel
particularly written to satirize corruption in the Nigerian society. Underemployment, unemployment, lack of political direction, tribalism, poverty and
disease have become ensconced features in the Nigerian society. The type of
corruption in Violence can be described as violent.
5.2.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, you should be able:
i.
Explain the socio-historical background of the Novel Violence.
ii.
Identify corrupt instances in the novel Violence.
iii.
Discuss the themes and style of Iyayi’s in the novel Violence.
5.3.
IN-TEXT
5.3.1.
The Socio-Historical Background Of The
Novel
Violence, regarded as a social protest, the novel deals with festus Iyayi’s
perception of corruption in his society. It is distinguished from other social protest
novels because of the period in which it was written.
Violence explores the core and effect of the kind of corruption that has grown
out of Nigeria of the seventies. The novel is basically written to reflect the type of
moral decadence which our modern Nigeria is momentarily passing through. The
novel considers the impact of the upper class on the less-fortunate majority whose
existence is threatened.
The socio-historical background of Nigeria in the seventies is a necessary
factor in the origin of the ideas of Festus Iyayi’s Violence. The plot of the novel is
based on the background of corruption and inequalities. There are two classes-the
exploited which is the lower class and the exploiters, who are the upper class. The
representation of the corrupt cream of the society have a lot of oppressive
tendencies. They live comfortably, buy expensive cars, live in posh homes while their
businesses boom. There is a great contrast between those who represent this upper
class and those of the lower class.
5.3.2.
The theme of Corruption as depicted in Iyayi’s
novel Violence
Corruption in Festus Iyayi’s novel Violence is presented in many places. In
meeting places, hospitals and markets.
There is also an exposition of corrupt hospital authorities, the government
and its corrupt workers. Due to the inability to pay exorbitant hospital bills, people
are turned out of the hospital untreated. In the background of corruption, there are
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all the opposition forces against the material and moral progress of a greater part of
living. Every head in this corrupt background has a price. Defrauding and duping the
government is the order of the day and the offender is retired with full benefit as
against the predicaments of the poor who steal for survival and do not go
unpunished for it.
There is a lot of social corruption in Violence involving moral exploitation,
contracts and the civil service. Obofun, Queen’s husband becomes rich as a result of
the way he manipulated government contracts and property. Dala, tells of Obofun’s
swindles in his office when he was a government worker at the ministry of works and
transport, where he built a house on loan from the ministry. We also see instances of
social corruptions when Queen, on the other hand corruptly tries to seduce
Idemudia.
5.3.3
The Stylistic devices employed by the author
in the Novel Violence
Festus Iyayi in the novel Violence used a lot of stylistic devices to present his
message to the readers. This technique presented the message straightforward and
direct to the point. By stylistic devices we mean the poetic elements used such as
irony, contrast, and hyperbolic instances.
The truth is that Iyayi’s violence has a lot of contrasts and symbolic uses in the
novel. The use of language is simple and clear. The author does not present little
details just to make the novel more interesting but rather it prepares the imagination
for more serious things to come. Indeed, the language also shows the African pattern
of speech which is full of hyperbole and exaggeration. Funny similes are also used
through out the novel as well as ironic statements, repetition and Onomatopoeia as
figurative statements to project the message to the audience.
5.4.
SUMMARY
Festus Iyayi’s Violence satirizes diversified aspects of Nigerian life, it is basically
a protest against the misapplication of intellectualism. In a country undergoing
spasmodic changes at a very fast pace like Nigeria, it is natural for writers to serve
their particular society by way of social commitment. Infact the prime motivations to
Violence are frustration and redundancy resulting from corruption, inefficiency and
exploitation.
5.5.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
1. Tersely, trace the socio-historical background of the novel Violence.
2. Identify some acts of corruption in the novel Violence.
3. Mention few poetic devices employed by the author of Violence.
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5.6.
REFERENCE
Dathorne, O.R. African Literature in the Twentieth Century Heinemaun:
London, 1974.
Iyayi, Festus. Violence. Longman: London, 1979.
5.7.
SUGGESTED READING
Irele, Abiola. The African Experience in Literature and Ideology.
Heinemann: London, 1981.
Palmer, E. An Introduction to the African Novel. Heinemaun:
London, 1979.
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UNIT: 3
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TOPIC 6:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
6.0.
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF AYI KWEI ARMAH’S
THE HEALERS
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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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6.3.2. AYI KWEI ARMAH’S HEALING VISION IN THE
NOVEL THE HEALERS -
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6.3.3. THE STYLE OF AYI KWEI ARMAH’S IN THE NOVEL
THE HEALERS
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6.4.
SUMMARY -
6.5.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
6.6.
REFERENCE
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SUGGESTED READING -
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6.0.
UNIT: 3
TOPIC:
AN ANALYSIS OF AYI KWEI ARMAH’S THE
HEALERS
6.1.
INTRODUCTION
The reconstruction of African history in defiance of the received opinions of
western historians and the correction of its method of narration. Thus, the
Asante nation of The Healers ill fits its popular image of a helpless historical
dinosaur stuck in the path of progress, a backward people irresistibility swept
aside by a technologically superior civilization. It is, rather, an imperial power
at the height of its expansion and yet rendered fatally vulnerable by a peculiar
combination of historical circumstances: a succession of wasteful and
enervating wars of conquest waged against its neighbours. The withdrawal of
its army commander over a private grievance and the subsequent catastrophic
decline of military morale; and the introduction into the political fabric of
inner division and disharmonies by royal intriguers who, belatedly following
the example of their smaller kindred societies, are finally induced to sell a
kingdom in order to save a king
None of these events are located in the orthodox way on the European
calendar instead , a series of somewhat stagy, unedited interruption of the
narrative , by the griotorary voice, correcting its own errors and invoking the
spirits of past story tellers, maps the exact historical moments in the long oral
memory of the Akan culture to which they belong. Moreover , into this web
of history is woven , by dint of the griot’s creative licence, the exemplary
fictional narrative of the fantse youth Densus, his wrongfull arrest for the
murder of a local prince and his initiation into the persecuted healing enclaves
of the novel title.
These latter people devote their lives to the immediate curing of the
physical and psychological casualties of court intrigue and, over a much longer
term, to the repair of political divisions wrought by court manipulators like
Ababio, and of the broader tribal and national division which have fragmented
the African people.
6.2.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
i.
Discuss the theme of the novel The Healers as portrayed by Ayi
Kwei Armah.
ii.
Narrate the narrative technique employed by Armah in the
novel.
iii.
Discuss the healing vision of Ayi Kwei Armah in the novel The
Healers.
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6.3.
IN-TEXT
6.3.1.
The Theme Of Armah’s The Healers
The Asante historical theme was discussed in detail in the novel with the
presentation and, appearance of the Asante general Asamoa Nkwanta at Damfo’s
door, and remains a backdrop to the healers activities which are seen almost
exclusively in relation to the intrigues of the Esuano world: Significantly, the one
crucial, historically decisive piece of Asante manipulation referred to in the novel-the
Sabotaging of Asamoa’s battle plan.
Armah is mainly concerned in the novel to show that long before the divisions
sown by prospective white rulers, the ethnic splintering of the Akan world had caused
its constituent groups to travel away from their common origin and to diversify into
an unhealthy multiplicity of cultures. Thus, it is important that the Fantse and Asante
worlds, though traceable to a common ancestry, should be felt to be qualitatively
different and distinct, each with its own finely-rendered ritual forms, folk-myths and
superstitions.
6.3.2.
Ayi Kwei Armah’s Healing Vision In The Novel
The Healers.
Armah’s healing visionary stand starts with the presentation of Asamoa’s
dissatisfaction with the Asante court, partly because of its exploitation of evil customs
to settle private scores, as in the murder of his nephew, and partly because of its
employment of armies in wasteful warfare designated only to sow division among and
between neighbouring people in order to enhance its own power.
The author further adds that at the heart of the healing code of Dambo, lies
an attitude to the quality of life which cuts at the root of Asante political organization.
One does not need to read very far into the novel to be aware of the errors
committed here. The Esuano world in which Appia, Anan and Densu compete for
prestige is of course a Fantse society which ills now divided Akan world, is quite
separate from the Asante world centered on Kumase.
6.3.3.
The Style Of Ayi Kwei Armah’s In The Novel
The Healers
The novel The Healers is presented in and as a historic novel. It projects the
historical myth of the imaginery Ghanian society.
The language is simple but the presentation is structurally from particulars to
paradigmns. The historical background is structurally presented.
The use of imagery and symbols are highly intense to project the message to
the readers. The symbolic use of “disease” is a clear indication of the powerful
message of infection and healing within the society.
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6.4.
SUMMARY
Armah in his novel The Healers presents a powerful message through
inspiration from the people’s history. In return the more active, members who help
shape this history look to the writer for more inspirations.
The individuals whom were elected to heal seem always to be drawn from the
higher echelons of the society. Unwillingly that seed should be sown in infertile
ground, the aristocratic elite in charge of Armah’s healing missions reserves its
therapeutic energies for those of royal and noble birth.
6.5.
1.
2.
3.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
Discuss the episode and historical background to Armah’s vision in The
Healers.
What is History? How does it relate to literature?
Explain the theme of Ayi Kwei Armah’s novel The Healers.
6.6.
REFERENCE
Armah, Ayi Kwei. The Healers. Heinemann: London, 1979.
Fraser, Robert. The Novels Of Ayi Kwei Armah: A Study In Polemical Fiction.
London: Heinemann, 1980
Larson, Charles. The Emergence of African Fiction. 2nd. Ed. London:
Macmillian, 1978.
6.7.
SUGGESTED READING
Boafo, Y.S. “The nature of Healing in Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Healers”
Komparatistische Hefte, 13 (1986), 95-104.
Davidson, Basil. Africa in Modern History. Harmondsworth: Pelican 1978.
Wright, Derek. “Armah’s Ghana Revisited: History and Fiction”
International Fiction Review, 12, 1 (1985), 23-27.
NOTE:
Students are strongly advised to buy the novels studied for a
better understanding and explication of the contents. They are:
i.
Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People.
ii.
Ngugi Wa Thiango’s A Grain of Wheat.
iii.
Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy.
iv.
Festus Iyayi’s Violence.
v.
Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Healers.
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SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES
TOPIC 1
1. Prose is a piece of writing that is either fictitious or non-fictitious.
2.
i.
Biographical Prose.
ii.
Autobiographical Prose.
iii.
Historical Prose.
iv.
Narrative Prose.
v.
Scientific Prose.
3. Literature is a body of writing belonging to a given set of people in a society.
It evolves out of people’s historical and cultural experiences.
Modern African literature grew out of the experiences and contacts
Africans had with the Western world.
Mostly African writers goes to the traditional elements as their
sources of inspiration and occasionally for his techniques.
It is also important to note that the themes of African novels or prose differs
from that of the western world. It is evidently applicable to the setting as well.
With these considerations in mind one can trace the growth of
African literature to Amos Tutuola as the first significant writer of
fiction
in Africa who makes elaborate use of traditional tales.
TOPIC 2
1. Chinua Achebe is the author of the novel A Man Of The People.
The novel is set in post independence Nigeria. There are many
themes in the novel but the main theme explored by Achebe in the
novel is the theme of corruption and bribery.
The degree of acquisitiveness and unrestrained corruption in the
novel have come to dominate Nigerian life.
2. Techniques refers to the ingredients that go into the style of the author.
A lot of these were used throughout the novel. Among other are:
i.
Language is simple.
ii.
Sequential presentation of the story.
3. A “theme” is the central idea dominating the novel while “subject
matter” is the broad materials which made up the story which includes
the topic, the characters, the setting and indeed the language.
TOPIC 3
1. Ngugi Wa Thiango wrote the novel A Grain of Wheat .
The major themes treated by Ngugi in the novel are: the themes of
Nationalism and Betrayal. He presented the idea of
nationalism and Betrayal.
He presented the idea of nationalism in the African point of
view as a natural reaction of the African people against protracted
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European domination of the African politically, economically and
culturally These were presented throughout the novel.
He vividly presented the theme of betrayal through the projection and
presentation of karanja and Mugo throughout in the novel.
He did that to show how Africans will always triumph over the
traitorous activities of the few individuals who collaborate with the
enemies of Africa to thwart her efforts of becoming a great national
entity.
2. James Ngugi wrote a lot of novels among others is A Grain Of Wheat.
The circumstances that ignited Ngugi are numerous to mention but he was
mainly moved with the prevailing circumstances to mention but he was mainly
moved with the prevailing circumstances surrounding him. One of the issues
is the apparent historical circumstances, which led to the obnoxious policies of
the colonialism.
In other words the entire people of Kenya met with the
challenges of nation building. Showing concern for the general good of the
entire nation so that their dreams becomes a reality.
3. “Flashback” is a technique in writing which an author employ to project the
message to the reader.
Ngugi uses this narrative technique in presenting the episodes of the
novel reflecting on the past and bring it to the present and indeed the future.
The revelation of Mugo’s historical background, being an orphan who
grew up under an ageing harridan who was never satisfied with whatever
Mugo did was presented effectively as a flashback in the novel A Grain of
Wheat.
In short, flashback is a technique in literary work of art employed by an
author.
TOPIC 4
1.
2.
Tragicomedy is a term in literature to refer to elements both found in
tragedy and comedy in a literary work of art.
It is a combination of two main terms in literature. The term
tragedy and comedy. In fact, it is an infusion of elements of tragedy
and comedy as mentioned earlier.
This further explains that with tragicomedy one laughs at such
events cheerfully and at the same time over comes with pity and
sadness.
This is evident in Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy throughout the
novel.
Oyono main preoccupation in the novel Houseboy is the projection of
the Brutality of mankind.
He presented to us the protagonist of the novel Toundi, who
left his parents at an early age for the service of the whites came to
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3.
UNIT: 3
realize many brutalities that the blacks were experiencing in the hands
of the whites.
Much more to mention are the themes of exploitation,
colonialism and religion were evident throughout the novel.
Ferdinand Oyono a francaphone writer uses a lot of stylistic devices in
his novel Houseboy.
He uses a straightforward presentation of his episodes in a
simple English for the reader.
He mainly document the episodes in a diary form Toundi’s the
protagonist activities were documented day by day thus the diary form.
He much more employs the presentation of the tragic and
presentation of the tragic and comic elements to shock us to an
awareness or realization of the evils of the colonial masters whose main
mission to Africa was to exploit and dehumanize the blacks.
He also uses sarcasm and irony most frequently in the novel.
TOPIC 5
1.
Festus Iyayi’s novel Violence is a satiric novel. It satirizes diversified aspects of
Nigerian life. It is basically a protest against the misapplication of
intellectualism.
Violence explores the core and effect of the kind of corruption that
has grown out of Nigeria of the seventies.
The socio-historical background of Nigeria in the seventies is a major
factor in the origin of the ideas of Festus Iyayi’s Violence.
The plot of the novel is based on the background of corruption and
inequalities. That is evident in the exploiters and the exploited.
2.
The acts of corruption in the novel is presented in many places. In
meeting
places, hospitals and markets.
There is an exposition of corrupt hospital workers and authorities.
Defrauding and duping the government is the order of the day and the
offender is retire with full benefits as against the predicaments of the poor.
There is also an act of moral exploitation of individuals. There is the
instance of Queen corruptly tries to seduce Idemudia.
Contracts were manipulated Dala tells of Obofun’s swindles in his
office when he was a government worker at the ministry of works and
transport.
3.
Poetic devices mean the stylistic devices used by the author in terms of
language usage.
Such devices employed by the author in his satiric novel are:
i.
Irony
ii.
Contrasts
iii.
Hyperbole
iv.
Exaggeration
v.
Onomatopoeia
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TOPIC 6
1.
The Healers is Ayi Kwei Armah novel. He wrote the novel in order to
reconstruct African history in defiance of the received opinions of Western
historians and the correction of the method of narration.
The Asante nation of The Healers was helpless in the path of progress, a
backward people irresistibly swept aside by a superior civilization an imperial
power at the height of its expansion and yet rendered fatally vulnerable by a
peculiar combination of historical circumstances.
These circumstances include, a succession of wasteful and enervating
wars of conquest waged against its neighbours, the withdrawal of its
army
commander over a private grievance and the subsequent
catastrophic
decline of military morale, and the introduction into the
political fabric of
inner divisions and disharmonies by royal intrigues
who belatedly following
the example of their smaller kindred societies, are finally induced to sell a
kingdom in order to save a king.
2.
History is the recasting of the past events in a society representing it in the
present and indeed in the future. It is commonly defined as the study of the
past, present and the future. Literature is a work of art that is presented in a
written form. It does not exist in a vacuum but it exists because people live
in the society and thus reconstructing their experiences which are done in
the past, but bringing it to the present and indeed moved it to the future.
The two terms are interwoven as we can see in Ayi Kwei Armah’s novel The
Healers.
3.
Ayi Kwei Armah main pre-occupation in The Healers is the theme of
traditional and modern cultures.
He tries to project this theme of traditionalism through the
presentation of Fantse and Asante world that though both trace their
legendary through both trace their legendary through common ancestry,
should be felt to be qualitatively different and distinct, each with its own
finely-rendered ritual forms, folk myths and superstitions.
On the clash of modernism, Armah tries to present to us the theme
that revolves round the seeds of division which was sown by prospectively
white rulers, the ethnic splintering of the Akan world had caused its
constituent groups to travel away from their common origin and to diversity
into an unhealthy multiplicity of cultures.
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
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ENG 331– MODERN AFRICAN FICTION II
UNIT: 3
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1.
Define the term fiction and non-fiction in literary work of Art.
2.
What do you think is the central theme of A Man of the People by
Chinua Achebe?
3.
Discuss the symbolisms in the novel A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi.
4.
Discuss the narrative techniques employed by the writer Oyono in the
novel Houseboy.
5.
Expantiate on the “Theme of Corruption” as depicted in the novel
Violence by Festus Iyayi.
6.
Relate the title “The Healers” as projected in the novel by Armah to
the Ghanian society at that time.
CDL, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
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