Traditional aesthetics transfer and the african novelists: a study of achebe’s things fall apart and laye’s the african child

Project Abstract

Traditional aesthetics transfer and the African novelists a study of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Laye’s The African Child This research project delves into the exploration of traditional aesthetics transfer in African literature through an analysis of two prominent novels, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Camara Laye’s The African Child. The study seeks to understand how these African novelists have incorporated traditional aesthetics into their works and the impact of such incorporation on the overall themes and narratives of the novels. By focusing on these specific works, the research aims to provide insights into the cultural and artistic dimensions of African literature and how traditional aesthetics have been utilized to convey complex societal issues and historical contexts. The research methodology involves a close reading and comparative analysis of selected passages from Things Fall Apart and The African Child to identify the presence and significance of traditional aesthetics transfer. By examining the use of language, imagery, symbolism, and narrative techniques in these novels, the study aims to uncover the ways in which the authors have drawn from their cultural heritage to create rich and nuanced literary texts. Additionally, the research will explore the historical and social contexts in which these novels were written to shed light on the motivations behind the incorporation of traditional aesthetics in the works. Through this research project, it is expected that a deeper understanding of the role of traditional aesthetics in African literature will be gained, particularly in relation to the works of Achebe and Laye. By analyzing the representation of cultural practices, beliefs, and values in these novels, the study aims to highlight the significance of traditional aesthetics transfer in shaping the narratives and thematic concerns of African literature. Furthermore, the research seeks to contribute to the broader discourse on the intersection of tradition and modernity in African literary works and the ways in which these novels have captured the complexities of African societies and experiences. Overall, this research project aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of traditional aesthetics transfer in African literature by focusing on the works of Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye. By examining the incorporation of traditional elements in Things Fall Apart and The African Child, the study aims to offer valuable insights into the cultural, artistic, and thematic dimensions of these novels and their significance in the broader landscape of African literature.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>1.1 &nbsp; INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>Reading through African novels, this research work was triggered by a lot of borrowing from oral traditional aesthetics into 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)</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>TRADITIONAL AESTHETIC TRANSFER AND THE AFRICAN NOVELISTS</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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, andentertainment. The novel brings out rich cultural elements Just as Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye hadbrought about the cultural elements in Things fall Apart and The African Child.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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 into their works.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The examination of the traditional aesthetics and the Africannovelists, 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.</p><p><strong>SIMILARITIES IN THE SETTINGS OF THINGS FALL APART AND THE AFRICAN CHILD</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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.</p><p><strong>1.2 &nbsp; PURPOSE OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Finally, the researcher shall discuss importance of the traditional aesthetics in the two texts.</p><p><strong>1.3 &nbsp; JUSTIFICATION</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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. </p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The works that the researcher came across in the information collection include, Kilam (1969) which focuses on the use of language and literary devices inThings Fall Apart. Another is Idowu (2009) which deals with the use of mythology and superstitious belief in Laye’s The African Child.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The researcher also came across Ashaolu (1989) who focuses on the image created by Chinua Achebe in Things Fall Apart.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong>1.4 &nbsp; SCOPE OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 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.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The researcher shall specifically bring out the traditional aesthetics that are similar to the two novels and give their importance.</p><p><strong>1.5 &nbsp; METHODOLOGY</strong></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The theoretical approach of this research study is functionalism. 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.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The chosen texts shall be employed as functional novels as they also deals with the socio-cultural patterns of their respective settings. Also, the belief in the uni-linear and parallel stages of social evolution which all societies must pass through.</p> <br><p></p>