African Literary Theory in English Literature

Cultural Authenticity and Indigenous Narratives

• Example: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
  Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart exemplifies the principle of cultural authenticity by portraying the pre-colonial life of the Igbo society with rich detail and respect for its traditions. Achebe meticulously describes the customs, beliefs, and social structures of the Igbo people, providing a counter-narrative to colonial depictions of African societies as primitive and chaotic. This novel serves as a testament to the vitality and complexity of indigenous African cultures, emphasizing the importance of preserving and understanding these narratives within the context of African literary theory.

Postcolonial Critique and Decolonization

• Example: A Grain of Wheat by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
  Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s A Grain of Wheat is a powerful example of postcolonial critique, examining the effects of British colonization on Kenya and its people. Through its portrayal of the Mau Mau uprising and the personal struggles of its characters, the novel critiques the colonial legacy and explores themes of resistance and liberation. Ngũgĩ uses his narrative to decolonize the mind of his readers, challenging them to view history and identity from an African perspective, and advocating for the reclamation of indigenous cultures and languages.

Intersectionality and Identity

• Example: So Long a Letter by Mariama Bâ
  Mariama Bâ’s So Long a Letter addresses the intersectionality of gender, culture, and religion in Senegalese society. The novel, written as a series of letters, explores the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society and their struggles for autonomy and self-expression. By highlighting the personal experiences of its female protagonist, Bâ sheds light on the broader issues of gender inequality and social expectations, making a significant contribution to African feminist literary discourse.

Afrofuturism and Speculative Fiction

• Example: Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
  Nnedi Okorafor’s Who Fears Death embodies the principles of Afrofuturism by blending African cultural elements with speculative fiction to imagine a dystopian future. The novel explores themes of oppression, magic, and transformation in a post-apocalyptic Africa, offering a unique vision of resilience and hope. Okorafor’s work challenges traditional boundaries of genre and opens up new possibilities for African narratives, showcasing the potential of speculative fiction to address contemporary issues and inspire change.

Diasporic Connections and Global Influence

• Example: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah explores the experiences of the African diaspora, focusing on the life of a Nigerian woman who moves to the United States. The novel addresses themes of identity, race, and belonging, highlighting the complexities of living between two cultures. Through the protagonist’s journey, Adichie examines how African identities are reshaped and redefined in a global context, emphasizing the interconnectedness of African and diasporic experiences.

Resistance and Liberation Themes

• Example: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores the Biafran War and its impact on Nigeria. The novel delves into themes of resistance and liberation, portraying the struggles of the Igbo people during the civil war. Adichie uses the personal stories of her characters to illuminate the broader political and social upheavals of the time, highlighting the resilience and determination of individuals fighting for their freedom and survival.

Language and Translation

• Example: The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Ayi Kwei Armah
  Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born addresses the complexities of postcolonial Ghana through its use of language and narrative style. The novel employs a mix of English and local idioms to capture the unique voice of its characters and the socio-political realities they face. Armah’s work underscores the importance of linguistic diversity and the challenges of translation in conveying the nuances of African experiences and perspectives.

Ecocriticism and Environmental Concerns

• Example: The Famished Road by Ben Okri
  Ben Okri’s The Famished Road incorporates elements of ecocriticism by weaving the natural environment into the fabric of its narrative. The novel, which follows the life of a spirit child in Nigeria, uses vivid descriptions of the landscape and environmental conditions to reflect the interconnectedness of humans and nature. Okri’s portrayal of the environment highlights the ecological issues faced by African communities and the need for a harmonious relationship with the natural world.

Aesthetic Innovations and Literary Forms

• Example: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih
  Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North showcases aesthetic innovations through its nonlinear narrative structure and blend of modernist and traditional storytelling techniques. The novel explores themes of identity and cultural conflict through its complex narrative and rich symbolism. Salih’s innovative approach to form and style challenges conventional literary norms and exemplifies the creative possibilities within African literary expression.

Essentialism and Generalization:

• Critics argue that African literary theory often essentializes African experiences and cultures, assuming a monolithic “African” identity that overlooks the diversity of the continent.
• Example: The insistence on using only African languages in literature can be seen as ignoring the multilingual reality of many African societies and the role of colonial languages in shaping African literary traditions.

Overemphasis on Political Themes:

• Some critics argue that African literary theory is overly focused on political themes such as colonialism and post-colonialism, neglecting other important aspects of African literature like aesthetics, form, and individual expression.
• Example: The prioritization of political messages in literature can sometimes lead to a neglect of literary merit and artistic innovation.

Rejection of Western Influence:

• The outright rejection of Western literary influences is seen as limiting by some critics, who argue that African literature should engage in a dialogue with global literary traditions rather than isolating itself.
• Example: The insistence on a purely African aesthetic can be seen as hindering the development of diverse literary styles and approaches.

Lack of Theoretical Rigor:

• Some scholars argue that African literary theory lacks the theoretical rigor and sophistication of Western literary theories, leading to simplistic analyses and interpretations.
• Example: The focus on thematic content rather than formal analysis can sometimes result in shallow readings of literary works.

Limited Scope:

• Critics argue that African literary theory primarily focuses on Anglophone and Francophone literature, neglecting the rich literary traditions of other African languages and regions.
• Example: The dominance of certain theoretical perspectives can marginalize the voices and experiences of marginalized groups within Africa.

Ignoring Internal Critiques:

• Some critics argue that African literary theory has not adequately addressed internal critiques and debates within African societies, leading to a lack of self-reflexivity and a tendency to present a unified front to the outside world.
• Example: The failure to acknowledge dissenting voices and alternative perspectives within African literary circles can hinder the development of a more nuanced and comprehensive theoretical framework.

Books

• Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books, 1994.
• Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Americanah. Alfred A. Knopf, 2013.
• Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Half of a Yellow Sun. Fourth Estate, 2006.
• Armah, Ayi Kwei. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. Heinemann, 1968.
• Bâ, Mariama. So Long a Letter. Heinemann, 1989.
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. A Grain of Wheat. Heinemann, 1967.
• Okorafor, Nnedi. Who Fears Death. DAW Books, 2010.
• Okri, Ben. The Famished Road. Jonathan Cape, 1991.
• Salih, Tayeb. Season of Migration to the North. Heinemann, 1969.

Articles

• Ashcroft, Bill, et al. The Empire Writes Back: Theory and Practice in Post-Colonial Literatures. Routledge, 2002.
• Gikandi, Simon. “African Literature and the Colonial Factor.” Research in African Literatures, vol. 29, no. 3, 1998, pp. 1-26.
• Mbembe, Achille. “Necropolitics.” Public Culture, vol. 15, no. 1, 2003, pp. 11-40.
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. Heinemann, 1986.

Weblinks

• Postcolonial Web: African Literature
• African Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania
• Center for African Studies, University of Illinois
• Journal of African Cultural Studies
• Research in African Literatures