| dc.description.abstract | This thesis identifies and clarifies the vision on of life portrayed in Roger Mais' novels, namely Brother man and The Hills Were joyful togetheri; it is built on the premise that artists discri inate in the choice of subject matter and manner of writing. This bias is informed by something more fundamental their outlook on life which is in turn imprinted on their works.
In written texts vision penetrates both form dnd content. Vision can hence be deduced by a systematic analysis of an author's creative products. Such is the approach used in this study.
Employing the above interpretive strategy, this study offers a detailed analysis of Roger Mais major thematic concerns. Character, theme ana incidents are studied so as to help us explain the emergent visions of society in the novels. In the process we highlight the importance of surrounding to both perception and vision. Similarly the
study elucidates on variation in the outlooks adopted by various characters. It is provided that some of the points of view taken are built on conceit, ~gnorance and contraries that plunge the individual into trouble.
This study also evaluates Mais' style and how the author uses style to enhance vision. The main argument advanced here is that style is not something accjdental, rather it is "social experience solidified" (Fischer 152). We hence link various artistic strategies at work in the texts to both vision and theme.
Working on a summation of findings in earlier chapters and using them as a basis for evaluation, this study lastly assesses the central vision in Roger Mnis' novels. We see an emergent vision that blends 011 aspnr.ts of th'? novel. The study holds that whereas M~js adopts 0 tragic view of life, this tragedy is 'part of a trnnsient result in a process of change either in the mnteri~l or social conditions of man. It could be both. These two aspects, however, form the social basis of the misfortune suffered | en |
