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ENG 331: Modern Africa Fiction

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UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURICENTRE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

ENG: 331: Modern African Fiction (2 Units)

Course Facilitator: Dr. Markus Ishaku


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STUDY GUIDE

Course Code/ Title: ENG 331: Modern African Fiction

Credit Units: 2

Timing: 26hrs

Total hours of Study per each course material should be twenty Six

hours (26hrs) at two hours per week within a given semester.

You should plan your time table for study on the basis of two

hours per course throughout the week. This will apply to all course

materials you have. This implies that each course material will be

studied for two hours in a week.

Similarly, each study session should be timed at one hour

including all the activities under it. Do not rush on your time,

utilize them adequately. All activities should be timed from five

minutes (5minutes) to ten minutes (10minutes). Observe the time

you spent for each activity, whether you may need to add or

subtract more minutes for the activity. You should also take note of

your speed of completing an activity for the purpose of adjustment.

Meanwhile, you should observe the one hour allocated to a study

session. Find out whether this time is adequate or not. You may

need to add or subtract some minutes depending on your speed.


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You may also need to allocate separate time for your self-

assessment questions out of the remaining minutes from the one

hour or the one hour which was not used out of the two hours that

can be utilized for your SAQ. You must be careful in utilizing your

time. Your success depends on good utilization of the time given;

because time is money, do not waste it.

Reading:

When you start reading the study session, you must not read it like

a novel. You should start by having a pen and paper for writing the

main points in the study session. You must also have dictionary for

checking terms and concepts that are not properly explained in the

glossary.

Before writing the main points you must use pencil to underline

those main points in the text. Make the underlining neat and clear

so that the book is not spoiled for further usage.

Similarly, you should underline any term that you do not

understand its meaning and check for their meaning in the

glossary. If those meanings in the glossary are not enough for you,

you can use your dictionary for further explanations.

When you reach the box for activity, read the question(s) twice so

that you are sure of what the question ask you to do then you go

back to the in-text to locate the answers to the question. You must


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be brief in answering those activities except when the question

requires you to be detailed.

In the same way you read the in-text question and in-text answer

carefully, making sure you understand them and locate them in the

main text. Furthermore before you attempt answering the (SAQ) be

sure of what the question wants you to do, then locate the answers

in your in-text carefully before you provide the answer.

Generally, the reading required you to be very careful, paying

attention to what you are reading, noting the major points and

terms and concepts. But when you are tired, worried and weak do

not go into reading, wait until you are relaxed and strong enough

before you engage in reading activities.

Bold Terms:

These are terms that are very important towards

comprehending/understanding the in-text read by you. The terms

are bolded or made darker in the sentence for you to identify them.

When you come across such terms check for the meaning at the

back of your book; under the heading glossary. If the meaning is

not clear to you, you can use your dictionary to get more

clarifications about the term/concept. Do not neglect any of the

bold term in your reading because they are essential tools for your

understanding of the in-text.

Practice Exercises


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a. Activity: Activity is provided in all the study sessions. Each

activity is to remind you of the immediate facts, points and

major informations you read in the in-text. In every study

session there is one or more activities provided for you to

answer them. You must be very careful in answering these

activities because they provide you with major facts of the

text. You can have a separate note book for the activities

which can serve as summary of the texts. Do not forget to

timed yourself for each activity you answered.

b. In-text Questions and Answers: In-text questions and

answers are provided for you to remind you of major points

or facts. To every question, there is answer. So please note all

the questions and their answers, they will help you towards

remembering the major points in your reading.

c. Self Assessment Question: This part is one of the most

essential components of your study. It is meant to test your

understanding of what you studied so you must give adequate

attention in answering them. The remaining time from the

two hours allocated for this study session can be used in

answering the self- assessment question.

Before you start writing answers to any questions under

SAQ, you are expected to write down the major points

related to the particular question to be answered. Check those


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points you have written in the in-text to ascertain that they

are correct, after that you can start explaining each point as

your answer to the question.

When you have completed the explanation of each question,

you can now check at the back of your book, compare your

answer to the solutions provided by your course writer. Then

try to grade your effort sincerely and honestly to see your

level of performance. This procedure should be applied to all

SAQ activities. Make sure you are not in a hurry to finish but

careful to do the right thing.

e-Tutors: The eTutors are dedicated online teachers that provide

services to students in all their programme of studies. They are

expected to be twenty- four hours online to receive and attend to

students Academic and Administrative questions which are vital to

student’s processes of their studies. For each programme, there

will be two or more e-tutors for effective attention to student’s

enquiries.

Therefore, you are expected as a student to always contact your e-

tutors through their email addresses or phone numbers which are

there in your student hand book. Do not hesitate or waste time in

contacting your e-tutors when in doubt about your learning.

You must learn how to operate email, because e-mailing will give

you opportunity for getting better explanation at no cost.


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In addition to your e-tutors, you can also contact your course

facilitators through their phone numbers and e-mails which are

also in your handbook for use. Your course facilitators can also

resolve your academic problems. Please utilize them effectively for

your studies.

Continuous assessment

The continuous assessment exercise is limited to 30% of the total

marks. The medium of conducting continuous assessment may be

through online testing, Tutor Marked test or assignment. You may

be required to submit your test or assignment through your email.

The continuous assessment may be conducted more than once.

You must make sure you participate in all C.A processes for

without doing your C.A you may not pass your examination, so

take note and be up to date.

Examination

All examinations shall be conducted at the University of

Maiduguri Centre for Distance Learning. Therefore all students

must come to the Centre for a period of one week for their

examinations. Your preparation for examination may require you

to look for course mates so that you form a group studies. The

grouping or Networking studies will facilitate your better

understanding of what you studied.


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Group studies can be formed in villages and township as long as

you have partners offering the same programme. Grouping and

Social Networking are better approaches to effective studies.

Please find your group.

You must prepare very well before the examination week. You

must engage in comprehensive studies. Revising your previous

studies, making brief summaries of all materials you read or from

your first summary on activities, in-text questions and answers, as

well as on self assessment questions that you provided solutions at

first stage of studies. When the examination week commences you

can also go through your brief summarizes each day for various the

courses to remind you of main points. When coming to

examination hall, there are certain materials that are prohibited for

you to carry (i.e Bags, Cell phone, and any paper etc). You will be

checked before you are allowed to enter the hall. You must also be

well behaved throughout your examination period.


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ENG 331: MODERN AFRICA FICTION

BY

MARKUS ISHAKU, PhD

Division of General Studies

University of Maiduguri

Maiduguri, Nigeria

[email protected]


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INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

ENG 331: Modern African fiction II offers an in-depth and further studies in Africanliterature. It is expected to expose the student to the study of more African novels andshort stories with emphasis on themes and techniques. The course certainly selects sometexts across the African continent and in-depth study of these texts shall be carried outduring the course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To highlight prose, types of prose and growth of modern African fictionTo examine the theme and style of Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the PeopleTo analyse theme and style of Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s A Grain of WheatTo analyse theme and style of Ferdinand Oyono’s HouseboyTo examine the theme and style of Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Healers


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE…………………………

Study Session 1: Definition and Scope of Modern African Fiction

1.1 What is a Prose (Fiction)?

1.2 Types of Prose (Fiction)

1.3 Growth of Modern African Fiction

1.4 Summary

Study Session 2: An Analysis of Chinua Achebe’s A Man of The People

2.1 Themes of Things Fall Apart

2.2 Issues that led to the growth of the novel

2.3 Techniques used in the novel

2.4 Summary

Study Session 3: Analysis of Ngugi wa Thiongo’s A Grain of Wheat

3.1 Themes of the Novel

3.2 Issues that led to the Growth of the Novel

3.3. Narrative Techniques of the Novel

4.4 Summary

Study Session 4: Analysis of Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy

4.1 Definition of Satire and Tragicomedy

4.2 Main theme of the novel

4.3 The Author’s Technique of the Novel

4.4. Summary


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Study Session 5: Analysis of Iyayi’s Novel Violence

5.1 Socio-historical Background of the Novel

5.2 Instance of Corruption in the Novel

5.3 Themes and Style of the Novel

5.4 Summary

Study Session 6. Analysis of Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Healers

6.1 Theme of the Novel

6.2 Narrative Techniques of the Novel

6.3 The healing vision of Ayi Kwei Armah in The Healers

Solutions to Self-Assessment Questions


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STUDY SESSION 1: DEFINITION AND SCOPE MODERN AFRICAN FICTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In this study session, you will learn that there are different kinds of fiction in literature.These sub-genres are biographical, autobiographical, historical, narrative andscientific among others. Prose as a main genre in literature developed across a period ofhuman 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.

1.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR STUDY SESSION 1

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:

1.1.1 define the term prose and explain the different types of prose (fiction) inliterature and

1.1.2 discuss the growth of the modern African fiction (prose).

1.2 WHAT IS PROSE (FICTION)?

Prose is one of the major genres of literature. It is synonymously used with the wordfiction. Prose as a category could either be fiction or non-fiction. As the name implies,fiction refers to work of art that is not true to life, and nonfiction is the opposite. Prose(fiction) therefore is simply a piece of writing that is either fictions or non-fictitious.

1.3 TYPES OF PROSE (FICTION)

There are different kinds of fiction in literature as a category or sub-category. These are:

Biographical Novel (Prose)


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This is the type of prose written to depict the life story of someone in either historicalperspective of an individual or without following a historical sequence.

Autobiographical Prose

The type of writing that is written by an author about himself, on himself to the people orreader.

Historic Prose

A type of prose writing that presents historical facts or events in a sequence in literaryform as a novel in literature.

Narrative Prose

This is the type of prose that deals with story-telling. In fact, it pays more attention innarrating how, when and why a particular thing happens.

Scientific Prose

In this type of prose major attention is paid to things that happen in an event rather thanthe event itself; readers fed with up-to-date information of the event while the factors thatled to such gathering and its description are abandoned.

ITQ: Define the term prose (fiction).

ITA: Prose (fiction) therefore is simply a piece of writing that is either fictions or non-fictitious.

1.4 GROWTH OF MODERN AFRICAN FICTION

Modern literature is mankind’s entire body of writing. It is the body of writing belongingto a given language or people, and then it can be individual piece of writing. It is mayrefer to a body of written works. Literature on the whole may be classified according to avariety of systems, including language, national origin, historical period, genre andsubject 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 theWestern one. Inevitably, the attitudes of African writers to certain subjects are likely todiffer from those of Western writers. Since, it is argued, the African writer goes totraditional 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


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considerable modification of western forms. It is reasonable to assume that the formalaspects of African prose is derived largely from indigenous forms.

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 toaccommodate their insights. In most cases, therefore, an African novel written in Englishis unlikely to read like an English one.

It is also conceivable that, given the difference in cultural and historical background, thethemes of African novels might be different from Western ones. This also applies, ofcourse, to setting, which is perhaps the most obvious indicator of the “Africanness” of anovel. The younger generation of African novelists are now concerning themselves withnew themes, and it is observed that the preoccupation with certain stock themes was onlya passing phase.

Indeed, in the very vexed exercise of defining African literature, this question of point ofview, or spirit, or attitude is the one definite factor that can reliably be referred to asdistinguishing African literature from other literatures. In a nutshell, African novelevolved from the well-established tradition of African prose writing and the even moreancient tradition of oral literature. It is important to note that African prose writing didnot 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-centuryfigures Eguiano, Ignatius Sancho and Cuguano.

However, Tuluola was the first significant writer of fiction in Africa to make elaborateuse of traditional tales.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Define prose fiction.

2. List the types of prose fiction.

3. Explain the growth of modern African fiction.

1.5 SUMMARY

Prose is one of the different categories of literature. A prose or fiction can beeither fictitious or non-fictitious. There are different kinds of prose (fiction) in literatureamong which are biographical, autobiographical, historic, narrative, scientific etc. Indeed,modern African prose (fiction) started from time immemorial in the sense that it startedout of people’s historical and cultural experience. It is worth noting that African literature


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evolved from the well-established tradition of African prose writing and the even moreancient tradition, or oral literature. Worthy to mention is that Amos Tutuola was the firstsignificant writer of fiction in Africa to make elaborate use of traditional tales.

1.6 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ) FOR STUDY SESSION 1

Now that you have completed Study Session One, you can assess how well youhave achieved its learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write youranswer in your study diary and discuss them with your tutor at the next contact. You cancheck your answers with notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of thismodule.

SAQ 1.1 (Testing Learning Outcome 1.1.1)

List at least five different types of prose (fiction) in literature.


Tersely, explain the growth of modern African fiction.

1.7 REFERENCES/SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READINGS

Beier, U. (ed.) (1967). Introduction to African literature. London: Longman.

Cook, D. (1977). African literature: A critical view. London: Longman.

Dathorne, O.R. (1975). African literature in the Twentieth Century. London: Heinemann.

Kennedy, J.K. (1973). Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama. Boston:Little, Brown and Company.

Moody, M.C.B. (1971). The Teaching of Literature. London: Longman.


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STUDY SESSION 2: ANALYSIS OF CHINUA ACHEBE’S A MAN OF THEPEOPLE

2.0 INTRODUCTION

This study session seeks to expose you to the novel titled A Man of the People by ChinuaAchebe. The novel projects a typical African situation after independence by implicationNigeria. An analysis of these situations as depicted by the author shall be studied bearingin mind the thematic and the author’s techniques as well.

2.1 LEARNING OUTCOME FOR STUDY SESSION 2


2.1.1 identify the major theme of the novel and

2.1.2 discuss the narrative techniques of the novel.

2.2 THE THEMES OF THE NOVEL

A man of the People is a novel set in post-independence Nigeria and revolves around thedegree of acquisitiveness and unrestrained corruption which have come to dominateNigerian life. The entire story revolves around Chief M.P. Nanga, a politician who soughtfor 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 isthe nationalist party that tends to correct some social ills within the society. Odili Samaluis another character presented in the novel. He represents an idealistic view on the whole.


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He is educated and holds a strong ideal. He is best described by critics of the novel as aman who holds to his ideology.

2.3 ISSUES THAT LED TO THE GROWTH OF THE NOVEL

Theme refers to the subject matter of a work of art. In fact, if a distinction is to be madebetween “theme” and “subject matter” the former will mean the central idea dominatinga novel while the latter will be the broad materials which make up the story and thesewill 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 treatmentand development over time and space in the novel. You can identify a theme in a novelby watching the relationships or events in the story and identifying them with realsituations 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 isdominant in the Nigerian life after independence. After the departure of the British, thepeople who took over government did not place the interest of the country at heart. Theiraim was only to enrich themselves. The moment these people found themselves in highpositions, they seized the opportunity of its economy. They converted the country’swealth 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, wasnot only victimized but even his parents and relatives were. The retention of politicaloffice creates what is called political violence and victimization. In fact, Achebe gives usa picture of a totally corrupt government. The attitudes of this corrupt governmenteventually lead 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 corruptofficials. The situation becomes too bloody that the army had to violently intervene.

ITQ: What is the main theme of Achebe’s A Man of the People?

ITA: The novel is set in post-independence Nigeria. There are many themes in the novelbut the main theme explored by Achebe in the novel is the theme of corruption andbribery. The degree of acquisitiveness and unrestrained corruption in the novel havecome to dominate Nigerian life.

2.4 TECHNIQUES USED IN THE NOVEL

Techniques refer to the ingredients that go into the style of the author. A writer’s stylewould vary from one work to the other so that the characteristics of style in one novelwould not be the same in other novel even by the same author. Technique refers to themethod by which a writer presents his or her subject matter in the novel. This invariablyrefers to such elements like:


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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 and

vi. writer’s vision and imaginativeness.

In A Man of the People, Achebe uses a great deal of techniques to present hismessage to the audience. The plot was projected sequentially without seriousbreakdown on flashbacks neither a disjointed episodic nature of the events. Thedelineation 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 throughout the novelpossessing these qualities. A character like Odili Samalu was also presented adequately.A Man of the People while different in tone, is more immediate in subject and moredeliberately polemical in purpose. In short, the language, style and the general techniqueare smoothly clear and intelligently presented.

ACTIVITIES:

1. In your own words define what is a theme of a literary work.

2.Identify one issue that contributes to the growth of the novel.

3. In the case of A Man of the People by Chinua Achebe, how right is it to conclude thattechniques refer to the method by which a writer presents his or her subject matter in thenovel?

2.5 SUMMARY

Achebe’s A Man of the People treated the theme of corruption, bribery, violence,victimization, thuggery as characterized in most post-colonial African politics. Thesemonstrous elements are the general characteristics of the present Nigerian situation. Histechnique in terms of language is simple, straightforward.

2.6 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ) FOR STUDY SESSION 2

Now that you have completed Study Session O2ne, you can assess how well youhave achieved its learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Writeyour answer in your study diary and discuss them with your tutor at the nextcontact. You can check your answers with notes on the Self-AssessmentQuestions at the end of this module.



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Differentiate between “Theme” and “Subject matter”.


Mention at least two techniques employed by the author in the novel A Man of thePeople.

2.7 REFERENCES /SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READINGS

Achebe, C. (1966). A Man of the People. London: Heinemann.

Achebe, C. (1975). Morning Yet on Creation Day. London: Heinemann.

Killam C. D. (1982). Introduction to the writings of Chinua Achebe. London:Heinemann.

Larson, C. (1971) The Emergence of African Fiction. London and Bloomington: IndianaUniversity Press.

Palmer, E. (1972 An introduction to the African Novel. London: Heinemann.

STUDY SESSION 3: ANALYSIS OF NGUGI WA THIONGO’S A GRAIN OFWHEAT

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Today, African literature has been dominated to some extent by the theme of nationalismbecause the African writers have identified themselves as active nationalist. Theirconcern is to expose the inhumanity and the bad effects of colonialism on the people ofAfrica. Moreover, this age of heightened national awareness has taught them and otherAfricans the beauty and dignity of the African personality as well as the importance ofthe beliefs and African shared values. African writers and the African populace areseeking the decolonization of the African scene and the overall African image.



3.1.1.Identify the major themes of Ngugi Wa Thiango’s A Grain of Wheat,

and

3.1.2 identify and discuss the narrative techniques employed by theauthor in the novel.


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3.2 THE THEMES OF 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’ssociological identification with the enclaves of his environment. It could be defined as “astate of mind in which the individual feels everyone owes his supreme secular loyalty tothe nation”. Nationalism in the African setting is a natural reaction of African peopleagainst protracted European domination of African political, economic and culturalscenes.

In a nutshell, A Grain of Wheat itself is a novel of heroic achievement celebrating themyth of Kenya’s national independence and it expresses the forces that propelled theindependence as well as the counter forces that tried to hinder it, though without success.The title of the novel comes from the heroic achievement and the sacrifice of a patrioticnationalist, Waiyaki, who boldly defied the white man and his weapons of violence.Waiyaki’s legendary achievement epitomizes the patriotic zeal Africa needs very much tobecome a viable nation.

The theme of betrayal has been used alongside the theme of nationalism to show thatAfrica will always triumph over the traitorous activities of the few individuals whocollaborate with the enemies of Africa to thwart her efforts of becoming a great entity.

Karanja’s association with Mugo throughout in the novel buttresses the theme of betrayaldue to the quest for personal emolument. Karanja hates the society and during theemergency in the land he became a guard to the Whiteman, helping in arresting thefreedom fighters. In this way, he clearly presents himself as an anti-nationalist

ITQ: What are the themes of Ngugi’s A Grain of Wheat?

ITA: The major themes treated by Ngugi in the novel are: the themes of Nationalismand Betrayal. He presented the idea of nationalism and Betrayal. He presented theidea of nationalism in the African point of view as a natural reaction of theAfrican people against protracted European domination of the African politically,economically and culturally. These are presented throughout the novel. He vividlypresented the theme of betrayal through the projection and presentation ofKaranja and Mugo throughout the novel. He did that to show how Africans willalways triumph over the traitorous activities of the few individuals whocollaborate with the enemies of Africa to thwart her efforts of becoming a greatentity.

3. 3 THE GROWTH OF THE NOVEL A GRAIN OF WHEAT


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The factors that led to the development of the novel A Grain of Wheat are numerous andthe circumstances are also numerous. Ngugi’s literary vision particularly in this novelhinges 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. Thatprecedes this advent. Also, the other chain of events that followed the advent occurred inform of the crisis which results from the obnoxious policies of colonialism. On thesebackground, we witness the achievement of the society’s national independence andthe dawn of the government, this time the one evolved by the indigenous people ofKenya.

Indeed, the emergence of a nation depends on the ability of those people within theenclaves of that nation to evolve the spirit of nation building. Before a strong nation isbuilt, 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 achallenge of nation building must be united in one love for their nation and should showconcern for the general good of the entire nation just as they should be ready to sacrificetheir personal selfish interest and should disregard personal danger to see that theirdreams for a nation becomes a reality. These factors of course are what Ngugi has used inA Grain of Wheat.

3.4 NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES IN A GRAIN OF WHEAT

In A Grain of Wheat, Ngugi used a variety of narrative techniques and adopts thetechnique of flash back throughout the novel. This is done to reveal Mugo’s background.Mugo grew up as an orphan under an ageing harridan who was never satisfied withwhatever Mugo did.

Ngugi uses a high sense of literary creativity through the exposition of heroism in thisnovel using certain symbols to conceal actions with the theme of nationalism. There isthe use of fire symbolism of suggesting sacrifice and atonement. The blood of heroicWaiyaki serves that and gave birth to a national front whose main strength affirmed thepeople’s attachment to their soil.

ACTIVITIES:

1. How did Ngugi treat the themes of nationalism and betrayal in his novel A Grain ofWheat?

2. Enumerate the factors that led to the development of the novel.

3. What is the major narrative technique employed by Ngugi in A Grain of Wheat?


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3.5 SUMMARY

In study session one you have seen how Ngugi’s A Grain of Wheat treats the theme ofnationalism and betrayal. He uses a lot of narrative techniques in the novel which includeflashbacks and use of symbols. The much yearning for Kenya’s national independencebecame a reality following the unrelated efforts of the society’s patriots who underwenttorture and courageously exhibited heroism and sacrifice. With the achievement ofindependence, the society moves a step forward to evolve a self-government as a free andautonomous entity.

3.6 Self-Assessment Questions (SAQ)

Now that you have completed Study Session 3, you can assess how well you haveachieved its learning outcomes by answering the following questions. Write youranswer in your study diary and discuss them with your tutor at the next contact.You can check your answers with notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at theend of this module.


Discuss the main factor that led to Ngugi’s writing of the novel A Grain of Wheat.


What is a “flashback” in literary works of art?

3.7 References/ Further Readings

Killam, C. D. (1980). Introduction to the writing of Ngugi. London: Heinemann.

Ngugi Wa Thiongo. (1968) Grain of Wheat. London: Heinemann.

Smith, A. (1978). East African Writing in English. London: Macmillan.


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STUDY SESSION 4: ANALYSIS OF FERDINAND OYONO’S HOUSEBOY

4.0 INTRODUCTION

The study session will introduce you to francophone literature where Ferdinand Oyonosets out to as a satirist to clean the society of the corrupt injection of French colonialists.The novel is an examination of the author’s use of tragicomic elements to expose theunscrupulous and hypocritical activities of the French colonial masters in the Cameroons.Everything in the novel surrounds the brutalization of Toundi Joseph. The author ends upthe character’s life tragically to highlight the extent of the brutality of the colonialmasters in Africa.



4.1.1 discuss the main theme of the novel and

4.1.2 expatiate on the author’s technique of narration in the

novel.

IN_TEXT

4.2 SATIRE AND TRAGICOMEDY IN LITERATURE

Tragicomedy is an infusion of elements of art. It is defined as “a drama or other literaryworks combining elements of tragedy and comedy; incident or series of incidents of


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mixed tragic and comic character “. This explains that with tragicomedy one laughs atsuch events cheerfully and at the same time one is overcome with pity and sadness.

Satire on the other hand is clearly defined as “a literary technique in which the folliesand foibles or even vices and crimes of a person, mankind or an institution are held up toridicule or scorn with the intention of correcting them”. Such vices or follies could beportrayed to the public either tragically or comically or with a combination of both.

ITQ: Explain the term “tragicomedy”.

ITA: Tragicomedy is a term in literature used to refer to elements both found intragedy and comedy in a literary work of art. It is a combination of two mainterms in literature. The term tragedy and comedy. In fact, it is an infusion ofelements of tragedy and comedy as mentioned earlier. This further explains thatwith tragicomedy one laughs at such events cheerfully and at the same time overcomes with pity and sadness. This is evident in Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboythroughout the novel.

4.3 THE THEMES OF FERDINAND OYONO’S HOUSEBOY

You will note that the theme of brutality is portrayed vividly in the novel. The protagonistof this novel, Toundi, who left his parents at an early age for the service of the whitescame 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.

4.4 THE STYLE OF THE NOVEL HOUSEBOY

Oyono’s style in the novel Houseboy is straightforward. His use of language is simpleand 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 whitestowards the blacks. He uses these tragic and comic elements to shock us to an awarenessor realization of the evils of the colonial masters whose main mission to Africa was toexploit and dehumanize the blacks.

The author uses sarcasm and irony most frequently. The richness of comedy isquite vivid but the tone of tragedy is more profound. In fact, Oyono has a morbid senseof humour about the colonialists. In the novel, the tragicomic elements strucksympathetic cords in countless readers.

ACTIVITIES 1. What is satire and tragicomedy in literature?


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2. Identify the main theme of Oyono’s Houseboy.

3. Assess the style of Oyono in his novel Houseboy.

4.5 SUMMARY

In the study session, you have read about how the colonialist claimed that their comingwas 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 behaviours they evinced in their administrative procedure in thecolony. The society became so putrid with their nefarious activities that Oyono had to getrid of it with the detergent-like element – tragicomedy.

4.6 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS (SAQ)



Discuss the theme of brutality as portrayed in the novel Houseboy.


Discuss any two stylistic devices employed by the author in the novelHouseboy.

4.7 REFERENCES /SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING

Darthorne, O. R (1982). African Literature in the Twentieth Century. London:Heinemann.

Highet, C. (1962). Anatomy of Satire. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Irele, A. (1980). The African Experience in Literature and Ideology. London: CUP.

Obiechina, E. (1980). Tradition and Society in the West African Novel. London:Cambridge University Press.

Oyono, F. (1966). Houseboy. London: Heinemann.

Pieterse, C. and Donald M. (1969). The Protest and Conflicts in African Literature.London: Heinemann.


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STUDY SESSION 5: ANALYSIS OF FESTUS IYAYI’S NOVELVIOLENCE

5.0 INTRODUCTION

In this study unit, we will examine Festus Iyayi’s Violence as a social protest novel thatsatirizes the Nigerian society. Violence has been judged from the ideological base as anovel particularly written to satirize corruption in the Nigerian society. Under-employment, unemployment, lack of political direction, tribalism, poverty and diseasehave become ensconced features in the Nigerian society. The type of corruption inViolence can be described as violent.



5.1.1 explain the socio-historical background of the novel Violence,

5.1.2 identify corrupt instances in the novel and

5.1.3 discuss the themes and style of Iyayi in Violence.

IN-TEXT


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5.2. THE SOCIO-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE NOVEL

Violence, regarded as a social protest, is a that novel deals with Festus Iyayi’s perceptionof corruption in his society. It is distinguished from other social protest novels because ofthe period in which it was written.

Violence explores the core and effect of the kind of corruption that has grown out ofNigeria of the seventies. The novel is basically written to reflect the type of moraldecadence which our modern Nigeria is momentarily passing through. The novelconsiders the impact of the upper class on the less-fortunate majority whose existence isthreatened.

The socio-historical background of Nigeria in the seventies is a necessary factor in theorigin of the ideas of Festus Iyayi’s Violence. The plot of the novel is based on thebackground of corruption and inequalities. There are two classes – the exploited, which isthe lower class, and the exploiters, who are the upper class. The representatives of thecorrupt 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 greatcontrast between those who represent this upper class and those of the lower class.

ITQ: Tersely, trace the socio-historical background of the novel Violence.

ITA: Festus Iyayi’s novel Violence is a satiric novel. It satirizes diversified aspects ofNigerian 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 outof Nigeria of the seventies. The socio-historical background of Nigeria in theseventies 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 inequalitiesthat is evident in the exploiters and the exploited.

5.3 THEME OF CORRUPTION AS DEPICTED IN VIOLENCE

As you study the novel, you will note that corruption in Festus Iyayi’s Violence ispresented in many places such as in meeting places, hospitals and markets. There is alsoan exposition of corrupt hospital authorities, the government and its corrupt workers. Dueto the inability to pay exorbitant hospital bills, people are turned out of hospitalsuntreated. In the background of corruption, there are all the opposition forces against thematerial and moral progress of a greater part of living. Every head in this corruptbackground has a price. Defrauding and duping the government is the order of the dayand the offender is retired with full benefits as against the predicaments of the poor whosteal for survival and do not go unpunished for it.


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There is a lot of social corruption in Violence involving moral exploitation, contracts andthe civil service. Obofun, Queen’s husband, becomes rich because of the way hemanipulated government contracts and property. Dala tells of Obofun’s swindles in hisoffice when he was a government worker at the ministry of works and transport, where hebuilt a house on loan from the ministry. We also see instances of social corruptions whenQueen, on the other hand, corruptly tries to seduce Idemudia.

5.4 STYLISTIC DEVICES IN VIOLENCE

Festus Iyayi in the novel Violence used a lot of stylistic devices to present his message tothe 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, andhyperbolic instances.

The truth is that Iyayi’s Violence has a lot of contrasts and symbolic uses. The use oflanguage is simple and clear. The author does not present little details just to make thenovel more interesting but rather it prepares the imagination for more serious things tocome. Indeed, the language also shows the African pattern of speech which is full ofhyperbole and exaggeration. Funny similes are also used throughout the novel as well asironic statements, repetition and onomatopoeia as figurative statements to project themessage to the audience.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Narrate the socio-historical background of Iyayi’s Violence.

2. Discuss the theme of corruption as depicted in Violence.

3. Examine the style employed by Iyayi in the novel.

5.5 SUMMARY

In Study Session 5, you have studies how Festus Iyayi’s Violence satirizes diversifiedaspects of Nigerian life. It is basically a protest against the misapplication ofintellectualism. In a country undergoing spasmodic changes at a very fast pace likeNigeria, it is natural for writers to serve their society by way of social commitment. Infact, the prime motivations to violence are frustration and redundancy resulting fromcorruption, inefficiency and exploitation.



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Identify some acts of corruption in the novel Violence.


Mention few poetic devices employed by the author of Violence.

5.7 REFERENCES/SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READINGS

Dathorne, O.R. (1974). African Literature in the Twentieth Century. London: Heinemann.

Iyayi, F. (1979). Violence. London: Longman.

STUDY SESSION 6: ANALYSIS OF AYI KWEI ARMAH’S THE HEALERS

6.0 INTRODUCTION

In this study session, you will learn about the novel The Healers. Before you do that, readthe background information below to help you in understanding the novel.

Part of the story of the novel is reconstruction of African history in defiance of thereceived 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 historicaldinosaur stuck in the path of progress, a backward people irresistibility swept aside by atechnologically superior civilization. It is, rather, an imperial power at the height of itsexpansion and yet rendered fatally vulnerable by a peculiar combination of historicalcircumstances: a succession of wasteful and enervating wars of conquest waged againstits neighbours. The withdrawal of its army commander over a private grievance and thesubsequent catastrophic decline of military morale, and the introduction into the politicalfabric of inner division and disharmonies by royal intriguers who belatedly following theexample of their smaller kindred societies, are finally induced to sell a kingdom in orderto save a king.


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None of these events are in the orthodox way on the European calendar instead, a seriesof somewhat stagy, unedited interruption of the narrative by the voice of a griot,correcting own errors and invoking the spirits of past story tellers, maps the exacthistorical 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, theexemplary fictional narrative of the Fantse youth Densus, his wrongful arrest for themurder of a local prince and his initiation into the persecuted healing enclaves of thenovel title.

These latter people devote their lives to the immediate curing of the physical andpsychological casualties of court intrigue and, over a much longer term, to the repair ofpolitical divisions wrought by court manipulators like Ababio, and of the broader tribaland national division which have fragmented the African people.



6.1.1 discuss the theme of the novel The Healers as portrayed by Ayi Kwei Armah.

IN-TEXT

6.3 THE THEME OF ARMAH’S THE HEALERS

The Asante historical theme was discussed in detail in the novel with the presentation andappearance of the Asante general, Asamoa Nkwanta, at Damfo’s doo and remains abackdrop to the healers’ activities which are seen almost exclusively in relation to theintrigues of the Esuano world. Significantly, the one crucial, historically decisive piece ofAsante manipulation referred to in the novel is the sabotaging of Asamoa’s battle plan.

Armah is mainly wanted to show that long before the divisions sown by prospectivewhite rulers, the ethnic splintering of the Akan world had caused its constituent groups totravel away from their common origin and to diversify into an unhealthy multiplicity ofcultures. Thus, it is important that the Fantse and Asante worlds, though traceable to acommon ancestry, should be felt to be qualitatively different and distinct, each with itsown finely-rendered ritual forms, folk-myths and superstitions.

ITQ: Discuss the episode and historical background to Armah’s vision in TheHealers.

ITA: The Healers reconstructs African history in defiance of the received opinions ofWestern historians and the correction of the method of narration. The Asantenation of “The Healers” was helpless in the path of progress, a backward peopleirresistibly swept aside by a superior civilization, an imperial power at the heightof its expansion and yet rendered fatally vulnerable by a peculiar combination of


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historical circumstances. These circumstances include a succession of wastefuland enervating wars of conquest waged against its neighbours, the withdrawal ofits army commander over a private grievance and the subsequent catastrophicdecline of military morale and the introduction into the political fabric of innerdivisions and disharmonies by royal intrigues who belatedly following theexample of their smaller kindred societies, are finally induced to sell a kingdom inorder to save a king.

6.4 ARMAH’S HEALING VISION IN THE NOVEL THE HEALERS

The writer’s healing visionary stand starts with the presentation of Asamoa’sdissatisfaction with the Asante court, partly because of its exploitation of evil customs tosettle private scores, as in the murder of his nephew, and partly because of itsemployment of armies in wasteful warfare designated only to sow division amongneighbouring 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 tothe quality of life which cuts at the root of Asante political organization. One does notneed to read very far into the novel to be aware of the errors committed here. The Esuanoworld in which Appia, Anan and Densu compete for prestige is of course a Fantse societywhich ills now divided - Akan world is quite separate from the Asante world centred inKumase.

6.5 THE STYLE OF THE HEALERS

The novel The Healers is presented in and as a historic novel. It projects the historicalmyth of the imaginary Ghanaian society. The language is simple but the presentation isstructurally from particulars to paradigms. The historical background is structurallypresented. The use of imagery and symbols are highly intense to project the message tothe readers. The symbolic use of “disease” is a clear indication of the powerful messageof infection and healing within the society.

Activities:

1. Identify the theme of Armah’s The Healers.

2. Elucidate the healing vision in Armah’s The Healers.

3. Highlight the style of Armah in The Healers.

6.6 SUMMARY

You have seen in this study session how Armah presents in The Healers a powerfulmessage through inspiration from the people’s history. In return, the more activemembers who help shape this history look to the writer for more inspirations. Theindividuals who were elected to heal seem always to be drawn from the higher echelons


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of the society. Unwillingly that seed should be sown in infertile ground, the aristocraticelite in charge of Armah’s healing missions reserves its therapeutic energies for those ofroyal and noble birth.




Explain the theme of Ayi Kwei Armah’s novel The Healers.

6.8. REFERENCES/ SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING

Armah, Ayi Kwei. (1979). The Healers. London: Heinemann.

Boafo, Y.S. (1986). “The nature of Healing in Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Healers”Komparatistische Hefte, 13, 95-104.

Davidson, B. (1978). Africa in Modern History. Harmondsworth: Pelican.

Fraser, R. (1980) The Novels of Ayi Kwei Armah: A Study in Polemical Fiction. London:Heinemann.

Larson, C. (1978). The Emergence of African Fiction. 2nd. Ed. London: Macmillan.

Wright, D. (1985). “Armah’s Ghana Revisited: History and Fiction” International FictionReview, 12: 1 , 23-27.


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SOLUTIONS TO SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

STUDY SESSION 1

SAA 1.7.1

i. Biographical Prose

ii. Autobiographical Prose

iii. Historical Prose

iv. Narrative Prose.

v. Scientific Prose.

SAA 1.7.1 Literature is a body of writing belonging to a given set of people ina society. It evolves out of people’s historical and cultural experiences. ModernAfrican literature grew out of the experiences and contacts Africans had with theWestern world. Mostly African writers goes to the traditional elements as their


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sources of inspiration and occasionally for his techniques. It is also important tonote that the themes of African novels or differs from that of the western world. It isevidently applicable to the setting as well. With these considerations in mindone can trace the growth of African literature to Amos Tutuola as the firstsignificant writer of fiction in Africa who makes elaborate use of traditional tales.

STUDY SESSION 2

2.7.1 Techniques refer to the ingredients that go into the style of the author. A lot ofthese are used throughout the novel. Among other are:

i. Language is simple.

ii. There is sequential presentation of the story.

2.7.1 A “theme” is the central idea dominating the novel while “subject matter” is thebroad materials which made up the story which includes the topic, the characters,the setting and indeed the language.

STUDY SESSION 3

3.7.1 James Ngugi wrote a lot of novels among which is A grain of Wheat.

The circumstances that ignited Ngugi are numerous to mention but he was mainly movedwith the prevailing circumstances surrounding him. One of the issues is the apparenthistorical circumstances which led to the obnoxious policies of colonialism. In otherwords, the entire people of Kenya met the challenges of nation building, showing concernfor the general good of the entire nation so that their dreams become a reality.

3.7.2 “Flashback” is a technique in writing which an author employs to project themessage to the reader. Ngugi uses this narrative technique in presenting the episodes ofthe novel reflecting on the past and bring it to the present and indeed the future. Therevelation of Mugo’s historical background, being an orphan who grew up under anageing harridan who was never satisfied with whatever Mugo did, was presentedeffectively as a flashback in the novel A Grain of Wheat. In short, flashback is atechnique in literary work of art employed by an author.

STUDY SESSION 4

4.7.1. Oyono’s main preoccupation in the novel Houseboy is the projection of theBrutality of mankind. He presented to us the protagonist of the novel Toundi, who left hisparents at an early age for the service of the whites came to realize many brutalities thatthe blacks were experiencing in the hands of the whites. Much more to mention are thethemes of exploitation, colonialism and religion were evident throughout the novel.


36

4.7.1 Ferdinand Oyono a francophone writer uses a lot of stylistic devices in his novelHouseboy. He uses a straightforward presentation of his episodes in a simple English forthe reader. He mainly documents the episodes in a diary from Toundi, the protagonist.Activities were documented day by day, thus the diary form. He employs thepresentation of the tragic and comic elements to shock us to an awareness or realizationof the evils of the colonial masters whose main mission to Africa was to exploit anddehumanize the blacks.

He also uses sarcasm and irony most frequently in the novel.

STUDY SESSION 5

5.7.1. The acts of corruption in the novel is presented in many places - 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 isretired with full benefits as against the predicaments of the poor. There is also an act ofmoral exploitation of individuals. There is the instance of Queen who corruptly tries toseduce Idemudia. Contracts were manipulated. Dala tells of Obofun’s swindles in hisoffice when he was a government worker at the ministry of works and transport.

5.7.2 Poetic devices mean the stylistic devices used by the author in terms of languageusage. Such devices employed by the author in his satiric novel are:

i. Irony

ii. Contrasts

iii. Hyperbole

iv. Exaggeration

v. Onomatopoeia

STUDY SESSION 6

6.7.1 History is the recasting of the past events in a society representing it in the presentand indeed in the future. It is commonly defined as the study of the past, present and thefuture. Literature is a work of art that is presented in a written form. It does not exist in avacuum but it exists because people live in the society and thus reconstructing theirexperiences which are done in the past, but bringing it to the present and indeedmoved it to the future. The two terms are interwoven as we can see in Ayi Kwei Armah’snovel The Healers.

6.7.2 Ayi Kwei Armah’s main pre-occupation in The Healers is the theme of traditionaland modern cultures. He tries to project this theme of traditionalism through the

presentation of Fantse and Asante world that though both trace their ancestry throughcommon ancestry, should be felt to be qualitatively different and distinct, each with its


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own finely-rendered ritual forms, folk myths and superstitions. On the clash ofmodernism, Armah tries to present to us the theme that revolves round the seeds ofdivision which was sown by white rulers. The ethnic splintering of the Akan world hadcaused its constituent groups to travel away from their common origin and to diversityinto an unhealthy multiplicity of cultures.

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 byChinua 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 thenovel Houseboy.

5. Expatiate on the “Theme of Corruption” as depicted in the novelViolence by Festus Iyayi.

6. Relate the title “The Healers” as projected in the novel by Armah tothe Ghanaian society at that time.

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