Why is literature difficult to define?
It will also be established that the word literature is a very difficulty concept to define from one perspective. This is because the current understanding of literature has departed from the etymological understanding of the term literature. L (2006) the term literature is a latin word ‘litera’ which means Writing .
How do you define African literature?
African literature, the body of traditional oral and written literatures in Afro-Asiatic and African languages together with works written by Africans in European languages.
What makes African literature different from the others?
Language of the African novel is highly enriched with some aspects of oral literature such as songs, proverbs and narratives. The other aspect which makes African novel unique from other novels is characterization. In the novel, characterization is achieved by reporting the thoughts of the characters.
What major issues does African literature deal with?
One of the major issues in modern African literature is language. The multi-cultural character of African language and the emphasis on the protection of individual people’s linguistic identity have emasculated the great dream of the total institutionalization of modern African literatures.
How do authors define literature?
Literature is defined as books and other written works, especially those considered to have creative or artistic merit or lasting value. Books written by Charles Dickens are an example of literature. The profession of an author; production of writings, esp. of imaginative prose, verse, etc.
What makes an African literature unique?
Characteristics of African literature include slave narratives, protests against colonization, calls for independence, African pride, hope for the future, and dissent.
What influenced African literature?
To be sure, the Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese literary traditions along with Christianity and Islam and other effects of colonialism in Africa also had a dynamic impact on African literature, but African writers adapted those alien traditions and made them their own by placing them into these African …
Why do we need to study African literature?
African literature is not important only because of its relevant setting and relatable storylines. It also increases our social consciousness, and raises awareness of social, political, and economic crises that the African continent is facing.
Is there such a thing as African literature?
If African Literature is defined as literature written in Africa, then would Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines, (1885) or Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1902) be classified as African Literature, since they all take place in the hinterland of Africa, exploiting the people and culture of Africa with European protagonists?
How did African and Arabic culture influence African literature?
These African and Arabic cultures continued to blend with the European culture and literature to form a unique literary form. Africa experienced several hardships in its long history which left an impact on the themes of its literature. One hardship which led to many others is that of colonization.
What is the main conflict in African literature?
In looking at the plot of African literature, one easily sees conflict, but the conflict is usually between man versus man, man versus society, and sporadically you see man versus nature, but perhaps rarely would you see man versus self.
What led to the development of writing in Africa?
This development came as a result of missionaries coming to the area. The missionaries came to Africa to build churches and language schools in order to translate religious texts. This led to Africans writing in both European and indigenous languages.