POST–COLONIALISM AND LITERARY AESTHETICS: A STUDY OF SOYINKA’S DEATH AND THE KING’S HORSEMAN AND A DANCE OF THE FORESTS

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ABSTRACT

Post-colonialism and Literary aesthetics are integral aspect of literature which has contributed immensely to the development of African’s culture by combating the residual effect of colonialism on African’s culture and in turn reviving it. This work examines magical realism as a concept under post-colonial theory as portrayed in Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman and A Dance of the Forests, which in turn helps to project the African’s culture through the use of myth, ritual, songs, dance, chants, incantation and invocations which are aesthetics under magical realism and symbols of African’s culture. This research emphasizes the fact that aesthetics are not just in a work of art; they are there for a purpose such as elevating African’s culture which is the sole aim of the research. In conclusion, the goal of post-colonialism therefore is reviving African’s culture through the use of aesthetics.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certificationii

Dedicationiii

Acknowledgement iv-v

Abstractvi

CHAPTER ONE

1.1Introduction1

1.2Purpose of the Study12

1.3Justification12

1.4Scope and Limitation13

1.5Methodology14

CHAPTER TWO

2.1Literature Review15

CHAPTER THREE

3.1Concept of Magical Realism 27

3.2Magical Realism as portrayed in Death and

the King’s Horseman and a Dance of the Forests. 28

3.3Importance of the aesthetics as portrayed in Soyinka’s

Death and the King’s Horseman and a

Dance of the Forests. 43

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1Summary and Conclusion45

Reference46

INTRODUCTION

Post-colonialism (post-colonial theory) and Literary aesthetics are important aspect of literature. This is because post-colonialism has devoted considerable attention to excavating the marginalized past. Likewise, literary aesthetics cannot be excluded from a work of art because of its usefulness in African poetry, prose and drama as raw materials and often as an essential medium of expression.

Post-colonialism cannot stand alone, it will be lifeless without literary aesthetics, because both works hand-in-hand to project and revive the dying African culture, traditions, customs and values. Post-colonialism as a literary theory with a critical approach deals with literature produced in countries that once were colonies of other countries especially of European colonial power Britain, France and Spain.

Furthermore, post colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies; the dilemmas of developing national identity.

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POST–COLONIALISM AND LITERARY AESTHETICS: A STUDY OF SOYINKA’S DEATH AND THE KING’S HORSEMAN AND A DANCE OF THE FORESTS

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