Module Title: LIT
309 Postcolonial Literature
Credit
Value: 12
Module
Tutor: Mr.Simon Daniel
General
Objectives
The
course introduces students to a selection of authors from across the postcolonial
Commonwealth. Through the study of four novels, a play and selected poetry from
Nigeria, Trinidad, South Africa, and India, students will get acquainted with
concepts such as space, place, boundary, migration, home, language and
identity.
Learning
Outcomes
On
successful completion of the module, the learner will be able to:
·
show awareness of literature
originating in the nations colonized by Europe
·
draw parallels between the various experiences
and recognize commonness in themes
·
comment on the dilemma of the subaltern
·
analyze the effects of migration and
diaspora
Subject Matter:
I.
Conflict in Nigerian Literature
1.
Collision of African and European cultures.
2.
The haemorrhage in the lives of Africans.
3.
Igbo problems of adaptation.
4.
Colonial onslaught.
5.
Internal and external forces of obliteration.
II.
Family life and pathos in Indian Women's Writing
1.
Life in a middle class Hindu family.
2.
Partition riots of 1947 and the resulting chaos.
3.
Social system and changes in the family.
4.
The theme of pathos.
5.
Interior monologue and the stream of consciousness
III.
Aridity in Australian Poetry
1.
The physical landscape of Australia.
2.
Conceptions of the Australian nation.
3.
Meaning of civilization.
4.
Religious overtones.
5.
Fancied harms.
IV.
The West Indian Novel
1.
Paternal affinity and bonding.
2.
Traditional family set-ups.
3.
The male characters.
4.
Themes of rebellion and freedom.
5.
Dominant women, submissive men and care givers.
V.
Themes in African Drama
1.
The concealed persistence of unfreedom
2.
Visible apparatus of freedom.
3.
Separateness and fear.
4.
Cultural colonialism.
5.
Acquisition of knowledge and freedom to love.
6.
Politics of repression and regression.
7.
Sexual politics.
VI.
West Indian Poetry
1.
Homeland theme.
2.
Search for Identity.
3.
Reflection on Shakespeare's Othello.
4.
Interplay of sex and death.
5.
Animal Imagery.
Teaching
and Learning Approach
Lecture: 3hrs/wk
Tutorials:
1hr/wk (including discussions& presentations)
Assessment
1st
Assignment: (800 - 1000 words) 10%
2nd
Assignment: (1500 - 2000 words) 20%
Oral
Presentation: 20%
Examination: 50%
Total: 100
marks
Essential
Reading:
Achebe,
C. (1996). Things fall apart. USA: Heinemann
Desai,
A. (1980). Clear light of day. New York: Harper
Hope,
A.D. (1972). Collected poems. Sydney: Angus and Robertson
Naipaul,
V.S. (2003). A house for Mr. Biswas. London: Picador
Soyinka,
W. (1963). The lion and the jewel. Hong Kong: OUP
Walcott,
D. (1962). A far cry from Africa. In In a green night: Poems,
1948-1960. London: J. Cape
Walcott,
D. (1965). Goats and monkeys. In The castaway. London: J. Cape
Walcott,
D. (1976). Names. In Sea grapes. New York: Farrar, Straus
Suggested
Reading:
Gandhi,
L. (1998). Postcolonial theory: A critical introduction. New Delhi:
Oxford University Press
Hamner,
R.D.(Ed.). (1967). Critical perspectives on V. S. Naipaul. London:
Heinemann
Hope,
A.D. (1984). Directions in Australian poetry. Townsville: Foundation for
Literary Studies
Ramchand,
K. (1976). An introduction to the study of West Indian literature.
London: Nelson
Soyinka,
W. (1976). Myth, literature and the African world. New York: Cambridge
University Press
Thiong’o,
Ngugi wa. (1986). Decolonizing the mind: The politics of language in African
literature.
London: Heinemann
White,
L. (1975). V.S. Naipaul: A critical introduction. London: Macmillan
Module developed by Mr. Simon Daniel