| dc.description.abstract | The overriding objective of this study has been to investigate the evolution of the Swahili thesis novel in modern Tanzania, with the aim of demonstrating the important stages of its development and the various factors that influenced the emergence, growth and maturity of this mode of writing.
Various definitions of the thesis novel lead to the conclusion that it is a major category of the novel that distinguishes itself by the seriousness with which it deals with society, the causes and effects of social problems, We have observed that in the case of Tanzania, some thesis novelists even go to the extent of suggesting solutions to the social problems they portray.
One of the hypotheses that guided this study was that the thesis novel exists in Tanzania and that it has emerged as the predominant form of Swahili prose fiction. Through the research carried out, this has been confirmed to be true. The sociological theory that was adopted for this study provided the basis on which the evolution of the Swahili thesis novel was realted to that of the Tanzanian nation state. We have also confirmed that the Swahili thesis novel in Tanzania emerged and matured in the period from 1960 to 1980.
The thesis is made up of seven chapters and each one of them deals with an aspect of the evolution of the Swahili thesis novel in Tanzania, as follows:
Chapter one gives an overview of the approach to the study of the Swahili thesis novel.It includes sections on the research problem, objectives, hypotheses, justification, literature review, theoretical framework, scope and
limits, and methodology.
Chapter two investigates the socio-historical background against which the
Swahili thesis novel in Tanzania has emerged. It highlights the important
historical events that shaped the Tanzanian nation state. Chapter three deals
with the early forms of Swahili prose literature that preceded and influenced
the emergence of the Swahili thesis novel.
In chapter four we have analyzed the fictional works of Shabaan Robert who is the pioneering writer of the Swahili thesis novel. We have highlighted his contribution to the development of the mode of writing in question. Chapter five focuses on the novels of Euphrase Kezilahabi who is a key writer of the thesis novel from mainland Tanzania. Chapter six investigates the development of the Swahili thesis novel in Zanzibar. The thesis novels of major Zanzibari writers like M. S. Mohamed, S.A. Mohamed and S.A. Shafi are analyzed.
Chapter seven is the conclusion. It has sections on the summary of findings on the hypotheses, and recommendations for further research. | en |
