| dc.description.abstract | This thesis, "A Thematic Study of Peter
Abrahams' Novels", consits of the Introduction
Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three and the
Conclusion.
The Introduction deals with who Abrahams
is, and what influenced his writings", An assessment
of the criticism already done on his works is made
so as to justify the need for the study of Peter
Abrahams , In this section, we define what method
of analysis we are going to use in approaching
Peter Abrahams' works.
Chapter One examines the way Abrahams
views apartheid in Wild Conquest and Mine Boy. In it we examine how Peter Abrahams does not see apartheid
as having its basis in th8 economic system in
South Africa.. He sees it only in terms of racial
differences His correct belief is that racism
stands in the way of human relationships.. This
leads to the false conclusion that its removal automatically Leads to equality among the different
racial groups.
Abrahams disregards the fact that racism
is used.by capitalism as a justification for exploiting
the black section of the South African society.
Therefore, racial integration.:. as suggested by Abraham's
cannot be a solution if the economic system does not
change
Chapter Two deals with the ways Abrahams
depicts an attempt to fight against colonialism in
A Wreath for Udomo and A Night of Their Own.Abrahams
makes the mistake of seeing it as a fight of a few
black people's participation in colonialism" He ignores the
majority of the people's participation in this
struggle.,
By virtue of their class position the
interests of the middle class are inimical to those
of the majority of the people. Since they are
inculcated with this elitist mentality the type
of independence these Udomos fight for does not
necessarily improve the condition of the majority
of the people.
Chapter Three deals with Abrahams' depiction
of an attempt to change the power structure in an
independent black country that suf'f'ers foreign domination
in This Island Now. In his attempt to create
a 'plausible power structure that caters for the
majority of the people, Abr-ahams does not see the
capitalism he advocated for the Island as inherently
exploitative: therefore, in prescribing it as a
solution to the island's problems. he ends up contradicting
himself
In the Conclusion, we give a summary of
how Abrahams consistently fails to suggest positive
solutions to the problems of imperialism because of
his inability 'to see his own and his characters' class
positions, and what these stand for. He also
ignores the majority of the people who have the
potential for positive innovations.
In this section, we look into the achievements
and failures of Abrahams in handling the issues
he deals with in his works. We also suggest areas
of further work on Abrahams | en |
