| dc.description.abstract | This study explores the emergence of
Socialist Realism in African Literature. And
to develop this theme, we have confined our
study to a few works by three authors, namely
Sembene Ousmane, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, and Alex
La Guma. Although these writers have written
many works, we believe only the works studied
in this thesis can be justifiably called socialist
realist.
The thesis is composed of an introductory
chapter, three main chapters, and a short conclusion.
The introductory chapter is a theoretical
( exploration of the concept of realism in general,
and socialist realism in particular. To place these
concepts in their proper context, we have also
given a brief theoretical background consisting
mainly of what we understand by the role and place
of Literature in society, its origins and development.
Against this background, we have tried to
show the development of realism in a dialectical
and historical sense. In this way, we have been
able to show that the fullest manifestation of
the specific features of realism is associated
with socialist realism which is now the leading
creative method in modern society. Finally, in
this section, we explore in depth the features of
socialist realism, its historical development,
and its relevance to the 'African situation'.
The remaining part of this thesis deals with
the following issues:-
Chapter II is an attempt to explore the nature
and extent to which socialist realist features are
reflected in Sembene Ousmane's God's Bits of Wood
and Xala. We have shown that features of socialist
realism are discernible in these works.
Chapter III is a study of Ngugi wa Thiong'o's
Petals of Blood. We have also shown that the features
of socialist realism can be traced in this novel.
Chapter IV deals with two novels: In the
Fog of the Seasons' End and Time of the Butcherbird
by Alex La Guma. Our study reveals that these novels
are socialist realist. In his attempt to artistically
recreate the South African history, La Guma reflects
socialist realist features in his art.
Finally, our Conclusion is an attempt to high-
light the fundamentals of this thesis. We have tried
to show that in spite of the differences at the level
of style, the basic features of socialist realism
can be traced in their works. There is a broad
similarity in the way they look at history and society.
They converge in their areas of interest and concern.
The conclusion is that, the creative method of
socialist realism ha~certainly emerged in African
Literature. And if regional representativeness of
these writers is anything to go by, then this study
is a proof of the growing importance of Socialist
Realism in African Literature. | en |
