| dc.description.abstract | An examination of Robert Serumaga's works reveals
that he has geared them towards imprinting a specific
social vision on his readers to serve as a corrective
to the rampant social problems he exposes. The
core of his social vision is in sincerity~ commitment
to social issues, and moral uprightness. This thesis
attempts to illuminate Serumaga's social vision as
portrayed in his works: Return to the Shadows, Majangwa,
A Play and The Elephants.
Serumaga is concerned with how individuals should
respond to the moral decline of society. He portrays
society as the extension of the individual. Individuals,
therefore, carry the responsibility of creating a
better society through coming to terms with their
environment and transcending the limitations that
fetter their development. Serumaga elucidates t~ese
limitations by de 1ving into the psychologies of his characters
seekinq to understand the meaning and effect of
Ur~ealthy manifestation of human conduct.
Serumaga diagnoses the major problem in society
as that of people failing to face the reality of their
existence ,preferrinq to escape in various ways. He
suggests facing reality as a prerequisite to solving
personal and social problems. This thesis explores
the negative effects of the rampant resort to escape
and belief in illusion, rather than facing- reality.
The portrayal of different sections of the society
such as intellectuals, soldiers, ordinary people and
artists, is studied. In his portrayal of these
sections of society, Serumaga throughoutadvocates
for a more socially meaningful and selfless commitment
to one's vocation in society. His vision is of
a mighty effort of will on persoaal and societal
weakness in order to overcome. He also demonstrates
that a strong will enables individuals to realise
social stability and life-fulfilment as they are able
to continue confronting the world in their restless
search for coherence even in an immoral society. The
joy of life is realised in the struggles of man to
understand himself by living up to the realities of
his experiences in life.
Within the understanding that individual actions
accrue from and take on a social dimension, Serumaga
bases his vision of a better society on resolution
of internal conflicts in man. Such a resolution
will subsequently lay the foundations for a life of
sincerity~honesty and altruism, reflected in the
social action of individuals. His vision is of an
internal moral and spiritual transformation, which
will in turn change the external environment.
Serumaga envisages positive social change
on a large scale in the efforts of morally upright
and dedicated individuals, who will educate the rest
of the society towards initiating positive change.
In the final analysis, Serumaga's social vision falls
short of embracing the whole society collectively
and dynamically to serve as a pointer to solutions
to the problems he has portrayed in his works. His
emphasis on the educated elite leading the society
in any struggle, :excludes the ordinary people as
a potential revolutionary force in themselves. | en |
