First Ten Years Of Zambian Prose Fiction In English 1964 To 1974-75

ABSTRACT

The study examines the mode of emergence and pattern of growth of Zambian prose fiction in English in the decade from 1964-1975, and makes an attempt at identifying the thematic tendencies and analysing the technical approaches of that body of writing. In the period, four full-length novels and several hundred short stories were published. It is upon this body of writing that primary attention is focused in the study. Each chapter takes up a separate aspect of the subject.

Chapter One explains forms and standpoints. Chapter Two carries out a survey of the variegated background - historical, social, political and literary – of current creative writing in Zambia: the distant indigenous past: the period of colonial rule and the ascendency of the white man; the period of Independence and the emergence of the new 'Humanist' political order; the folklore, and indigenous-language and early writings. It concludes that this background provides for Zambia as rich a background and, in some respects a richer one, for a vibrant 11 terature as any other African society has had.