This study intends to compare the portrayal of conflict in Ferdinand Oyono’s „Houseboy“ and Nadine Gordimer’s „July’s People“. Specifically, it looks at how the black servant is forced to balance the loyalty he has for the white employer and for his African roots. The analysis of „Houseboy“ will focus on how conflict is represented between whites and blacks, how it can satirically have a positive influence on others and lastly, how conflict among the blacks can be very destructive. „Houseboy“ shows how conflict can be prompted by stereotypes; how it can be a shield from other pressing concerns and even how conflict itself can provide an outlet for humour.
The analysis of „July’s People“ will on the other hand focus on how people can live together under pretences that they are at peace with one another when in actual fact they are not; how the black servant can be in conflict with people of other races or their traditions as well as how that servant can be in conflict with fate or destiny. In conclusion it will be shown how „Houseboy“ is more explicit in portraying conflict than „July’s People“ due to the events that happened in the two texts. An argument can be made therefore if conflict experienced by black servants during the colonial period was more in the open as opposed to that of apartheid South Africa.
Table of Contents
Introduction
ANALYSIS OF HOUSEBOY
JULY’S PEOPLE
CONCLUSION
Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the multifaceted nature of conflict within colonial and post-colonial African literature, specifically comparing Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy and Nadine Gordimer’s July’s People. It investigates how black servants navigate the complex power dynamics and loyalty conflicts imposed by their white employers and racially stratified societies.
- Representation of conflict between black and white characters.
- Internal and interpersonal conflict among black characters within colonial structures.
- The role of stereotypes, humor, and displacement of aggression in survival.
- The socio-political influence of colonialism and apartheid on domestic relationships.
- Comparative analysis of explicit versus psychological conflict in colonial vs. post-colonial settings.
Excerpt from the Book
ANALYSIS OF HOUSEBOY
Ferdinand Oyono’s masterpiece told through the eyes of a naïve yet increasingly observant houseboy, Toundi, poses several interesting issues regarding how conflict is portrayed.
The analysis of this book will focus on how conflict is portrayed between whites and blacks, how conflict can ironically have a positive influence on others and finally, how conflict among the blacks can be very destructive. Houseboy shows how conflict can be triggered by stereotypes; how it can be a shield from other pressing concerns and even how conflict itself can provide an outlet for humour.
The prison director expresses a type of conflict that illustrates how stereotypes formulate opinions about people. This in turn strengthens attitudes and resentment by one person to another. The stereotyping is seen when M. Moreau is on one of his amorous visits to Madame, the commandant’s wife at the Residence.M.Moreau takes a dislike to Toundi by giving him ‘a dangerous look’ (79). Toundi has not uttered anything disrespectful nor has he behaved in a manner that undermines the white man. However, this does not stop M. Moreau from venting his dislike for the houseboy, both verbally and physically.
‘Come here,’ said the prison director, beckoning me. Then he said to Madam, ‘You see, he can’t look us in the eye. His eyes are shifty like a pygmy’s. He’s dangerous. Natives are that. When they can’t look you in the eye it’s a sure sign they’ve got some idea fixed in their wooden heads…’He grabbed me by the neck and forced me to look at him. (79)
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter outlines the historical and theoretical framework of race relations and conflict in African literature, introducing the works of Oyono and Gordimer.
ANALYSIS OF HOUSEBOY: This section examines the explicit and often violent manifestations of conflict in the colonial setting, focusing on Toundi's experiences and the destructive nature of colonial power.
JULY’S PEOPLE: This chapter analyzes the more nuanced, psychological conflicts of the post-colonial/apartheid era, highlighting the shifting power dynamics between the Smales family and their servant, July.
CONCLUSION: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, noting that conflict was more overtly violent in the colonial era compared to the more subdued social tensions of the post-colonial period.
Keywords
conflict, race, apartheid, colonialism, loyalty, identity, power, servant, literature, oppression, violence, stereotypes, post-colonial, social relations, class struggle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper provides a comparative analysis of how conflict is portrayed in Ferdinand Oyono’s Houseboy and Nadine Gordimer’s July’s People, specifically regarding the experiences of black servants.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of colonialism and apartheid on racial relations, the "manichean delirium" of identity, the shifting nature of loyalty, and how power imbalances lead to psychological and physical conflict.
What is the main research objective of the study?
The objective is to explore how black servants balance loyalty to their white employers with their own cultural roots and to determine if conflict was more open during the colonial period compared to apartheid South Africa.
Which scientific or critical methods are utilized?
The author employs a literary critical approach, incorporating sociological perspectives from theorists like Giddens, Marx, and Feagin to interpret the social dynamics depicted in the novels.
What does the main body of the paper address?
The body offers a detailed textual analysis of both novels, examining specific scenes where conflict manifests—ranging from verbal abuse and physical intimidation in Houseboy to strained domestic pretenses in July’s People.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Significant keywords include conflict, race, apartheid, colonialism, identity, and power dynamics.
How does the setting influence the conflict in Houseboy?
The colonial setting creates a rigid structure of authority where the white master’s psychological prejudice and fear result in unprovoked violence against the native servants, leaving the characters with little room for defense.
How does the conflict in July’s People differ from Houseboy?
In July’s People, conflict is less physically violent and more psychological, characterized by social tensions, role reversals between master and servant, and the difficulty of living together under false pretenses.
What role does humor play in the text's portrayal of conflict?
The author notes that humor serves as a vital coping mechanism or "respite" for characters, allowing them to momentarily escape their oppressive realities through shared laughter or irony.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Wazha Lopang (Autor:in), 2015, Conflict and the black servant in Oyono's "Houseboy" and Gordimer's "July's People", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/311155
