traditional aesthetics transfer and the african novelists (a study of achebe’s things fall apart and laye’s the african child)

traditional aesthetics transfer and the african novelists (a study of achebe’s things fall apart and laye’s the african child)

ABSTRACT

African novelists draw their raw materials from different sources, some draw their raw materials from the folktales being told at night, some writes about the village life before the Colonial masters while some transfer the beauty in African tradition into their works. Laye’s The African Child and Achebe’s Things fall Apart are embodiment of African tradition as observed by other criticis. Therefore this research work examines the transfer of traditional aesthetics in The African Child and Things fall Apart. This research work limits it’s analysis to the traditional aesthetics in The African Child and Things fall Apart. In conclusion, through the research findings, it has been discovered that The African Child and Things fall Apart are loaded with the best of traditional aesthetics. The two novelists through the use of traditional aesthetics in their novels have been able to show to the world, the beauty in African tradition.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Abstract

Table of content

Chapter one

Introduction

Purpose of the Study

Justification of the Study

Scope of the Study

Methodology

Chapter two

Literature review

Chapter three

The Culture of the Igbo people of Nigeria and the Malinke people of Guinea and how Achebe

and Laye have perceived it

Synopsis of Things fall Apart and The African Child

The Concept of aesthetics transfer in Things fall Apart and The African Child

Moral aesthetics in Things Fall Apart and The African Child

Entertaining or ceremonial aesthetics in Things Fall Apart and The African child

Ritual Aesthetics in Things Fall Apart and The

African Child

Importance of traditional aesthetics transfer in

Things fall Apart and The African Child

Chapter four

Summary and Conclusion

Reference

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Reading through African novels, this research work was triggered by a lot of borrowing from oral traditional aesthetics in to the written form by African novelists. The transfer of traditional aesthetics is a common feature in African novels. According to Bodunde (2001) “…. aesthetic transfer investigates the transformation of different aspects of indigenous heritage….” (p.7)

African traditional setting in general comprises cultural activities that constitute the concept of beauty or aesthetics. These aesthetics are enriched in the belief of or custom handed down from one generation to another. The aesthetics can be found in the people’s early beliefs, religions, customs, festival, myth, legends, laws, folktales, settings, communities, metaphysics and magical ceremonies of the people. African novelists mostly source their raw materials from African traditions. This is why the transferred aesthetics were formally oral.

TRADITIONAL AESTHETIC TRANSFER AND THE AFRICAN NOVELISTS

Many African novelists owe much to traditional aesthetics. There are many examples of African novelists that their works show evidence of traditional aesthetic. Good examples are: Wole Soyinka, Amos Tutuola, Sembene Ousmane and Ngugi wa Thiongo. These writers are African novelists and they are competent in using traditional aesthetics in their works. Amos Tutuola in his novel The Palm wine Drunkard makes use of lots of traditional aesthetics. Amos Tutuola writes about African cosmology, myth, legend, folktales, belief in supernatural powers and the African sociology. The novel is rich in morals, rituals, and entertainment. The novel brings out rich cultural elements Just as Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye had brought about the cultural elements in Things fall Apart and The African Child.

Also in Weep Not Child by Ngugi wa Thiongo. Ngugi wa Thiongo makes use of traditional aesthetics like traditional custom, traditional settings and governance, myth and legend, superstitious belief and folktales. In Weep Not Child, Kimathi is a legendrical figure and the myth about Gikuyu and Mubi. There is also the custom of circumcision. Also is the traditional setting; Ngotho is the head of his family and he built his household huts by himself. Ngotho’s polygamous family is a model, because of Ngotho’s sense of ruling. This view shows that most African novelists transfer the traditional aesthetics in to their works.

The examination of the traditional aesthetics and the African novelists, a study of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Laye’s, The African Child, the goal of this research work. The transfer of African traditional aesthetics in the contemporary world such as myths, proverbs, festival, folktales, superstitious belief, cultural celebration are features of most African novels.

SIMILARITIES IN THE SETTINGS OF THINGS FALL APART AND THE AFRICAN CHILD

According to David (1980) who made a comparative analysis of the setting in Things Fall Apart and The African Child. He observed some similarities in, the setting of the Igbo people of Nigeria and Malinke people of Guinea in the respective novels. They both lived in an extended family compounds, both are autonomous and self ruled. They lived in an oral society where learning was done traditional through songs, stories and proverbs. Farming was their predominant profession.

The traditional aesthetics in The African Child and Things Fall Apart are similar in the sense that we received detailed accounts of family, tribal, rituals, customs, ceremonies through the stories the characters tell.

The similarities in the setting of the two novels explain the similarities in the use of traditional aesthetics. It also explains the transfer of traditional aesthetics of African tradition and cultural heritage in relation to the two texts.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to examine the traditional aesthetic transfer in two of African novels. Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Camara Laye’s The African Child.

This research also aims at making a critical analysis of the various traditional aesthetics used by Camara Laye in The African Child and Chinua Achebe’s Things fall Apart.

Finally, the researcher shall discuss importance of the traditional aesthetics in the two texts.

1.3 JUSTIFICATION

This study is embarked upon because no study of this nature to the researcher’s knowledge has focused specifically on the transfer of traditional aesthetics, using the two texts: Things Fall Apart and The African Child.

The works that the researcher came across in the information collection include, Kilam (1969) which focuses on the use of language and literary devices in Things Fall Apart. Another is Idowu (2009) which deals with the use of mythology and superstitious belief in Laye’s The African Child.

The researcher also came across Ashaolu (1989) who focuses on the image created by Chinua Achebe in Things Fall Apart.

The difference of this work from Kilam (1969), Ashaolu (1989) and Idowu (2009) is that the researcher intends to focus on the traditional transfer in Things Fall Apart and The African Child.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work shall be restricted to the analysis of the traditional aesthetic transfer in Camara Laye’s The African Child and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. This research shall not divert into their other works.

The researcher shall specifically bring out the traditional aesthetics that are similar to the two novels and give their importance.

1.5 METHODOLOGY

The theoretical approach of this research study is functionalism. traditional aesthetics transfer The reason is that the approach addresses the society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements namely norms, customs, traditions and institution.traditional aesthetics transfer

The chosen texts shall be employed as functional novels as they also deals with the socio-cultural patterns of their respective settings.traditional aesthetics transfer Also, the belief in the uni-linear and parallel stages of social evolution which all societies must pass through.traditional aesthetics transfer.

About admin

Check Also

MALE DOMINANCE OVER THE FEMALES IN THE AFRICAN SOCIETY USING A CASE STUDY OF LOLA SHONEYIS SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGIS WIVES AND AYOBAMI ADEBAYOS STAY WITH ME

MALE DOMINANCE OVER THE FEMALES IN THE AFRICAN SOCIETY USING A CASE STUDY OF LOLA …

IMPACT OF PIDGIN ENGLISH ON STUDENTS COMPETENCE IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ASABA

IMPACT OF PIDGIN ENGLISH ON STUDENTS COMPETENCE IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ASABA

IMPACT OF PIDGIN ENGLISH ON STUDENTS COMPETENCE IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ASABA Format: Ms …

POLITICAL SYMBOLISM AND CORRUPTION IN “BORN ON A TUESDAY” BY EL NATHAN JOHN AND “UNDER THE BROWN RUSTED ROOFS” BY ABIMBOLA ADUNNI ADELAKUN

POLITICAL SYMBOLISM AND CORRUPTION IN “BORN ON A TUESDAY” BY EL NATHAN JOHN AND “UNDER …

NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF POLICE BRUTALITY TO CIVILIANS

NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF POLICE BRUTALITY TO CIVILIANS Format: Ms Word Document Pages: 81 Price: N …

A PHONOLOGICAL STUDY OF ENGLISH CONSONANT DIGRAPHS IN THE UTTERANCES OF SELECTED PUPILS IN OLUYOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

A PHONOLOGICAL STUDY OF ENGLISH CONSONANT DIGRAPHS IN THE UTTERANCES OF SELECTED PUPILS IN OLUYOLE …

SEMIOTIC STUDY OF THE SIMILARITY OF THE FRENCH AND YORUBA

A SEMIOTIC STUDY OF THE SIMILARITY OF THE FRENCH AND YORUBA

A SEMIOTIC STUDY OF THE SIMILARITY OF THE FRENCH AND YORUBA Format: Ms Word Document …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *