This thesis examines Iyayi’s use of social realism in fiction with the aim to locate his work in the realm of African literature. The concept of social realism and its exponents will be identified and discussed, and its tenets will be applied in the assessment of Iyayi’s works.
Iyayi’s novels and a collection of short stories are analysed with a focus on locating Iyayi’s works in the continuum of African literature through an identification of similar authors and their works. Festus Iyayi is comparatively young in the literary circle, compared to names like Achebe, Ngugi, Mwangi, Ousmane and Armah. While some scholars and critics like Amuta (1986) and Ogundipe-Leslie (1994) describe Iyayi’s works as accomplished works of social realism, Acholonu (1987), on the other hand, does not categorize his works this way.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the Research
1.1 Statement of the Thesis
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Research
1.3 Scope of the Research
1.4 Significance of the Research
1.5 Conceptual Framework
1.6 Literature Review
1.7 Research Methodology and Plan of Work
CHAPTER TWO: SOCIAL REALISM IN VIOLENCE AND THE CONTRACT
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Social Realism in Violence
2.2 Social Realism in The Contract
CHAPTER THREE: SOCIAL REALISM IN HEROES AND AWAITING COURT MARTIAL
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Social Realism in Heroes
3.2 Social Realism in Awaiting Court Martial
CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
4.1 Summary
4.2 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis aims to critically examine the application of Social Realism within the literary works of Festus Iyayi. By analyzing his novels and short stories, the research seeks to investigate how Iyayi utilizes literature to reflect social injustices, corruption, and the struggles of the working class, ultimately situating his contributions within the broader spectrum of African literature.
- Evolution of Social Realism in Iyayi’s narrative style
- Critique of corruption and political malpractice in Nigeria
- The role of the writer as a social mediator
- Comparative analysis with other African authors (e.g., Achebe, Ngugi)
- Depiction of class struggle and the condition of the masses
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 SOCIAL REALISM IN VIOLENCE
Iyayi lays the foundation of his use of Social Realism in fiction with the publication of Violence in 1979. The novel examines the contradictions inherent in Nigerian socio-political life. Specifically, the novel is concerned with the treatment of corruption and injustice in the distribution of national resources. In an interview with Taiwo (2004), Iyayi says that African writers should learn from Achebe in distancing themselves from the wicked power structure that corrupts. When asked what his first novel, Violence, is about, he says;
Violence is about injustice in the society itself. When you deprive people of their basic rights and the opportunities for self-fulfillments, that society has to change in favour of those who have been violated (p2).
The question of social justice and equality, as indicated in this interview, seems to be central to Iyayi’s understanding of a decent society. The story in Violence is meant to depict how corruption and injustice is perpetrated in the society with a call for social reform. Through the creation of characters and situations, Iyayi attempts to depict Nigeria as a country where corruption and injustice has stifled its human and socio economic developments. He juxtaposes the families of Obofun and Queen on one hand with that of Idemudia and Adisa on the other hand to illustrate the social effects of corruption and injustice on individuals and society generally.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter provides the research background, defines the scope, and outlines the methodology used to analyze Iyayi’s application of Social Realism.
CHAPTER TWO: SOCIAL REALISM IN VIOLENCE AND THE CONTRACT: This chapter assesses the foundational use of Social Realism in Iyayi’s first two novels, identifying early technical successes and developmental flaws in his characterization and thematic presentation.
CHAPTER THREE: SOCIAL REALISM IN HEROES AND AWAITING COURT MARTIAL: This chapter demonstrates the maturity and mastery of Iyayi's literary style, showing how his later works effectively utilize narrative techniques to critique the Nigerian civil war and social conditions.
CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: This final chapter synthesizes the research findings, reaffirming Iyayi’s status as a major African literary artist who uses Social Realism as a tool for social reform.
Keywords
Social Realism, Festus Iyayi, Nigerian Literature, Corruption, Social Reform, African Fiction, Proletarian Novel, Literary Theory, Class Struggle, Narrative Technique, Political Critique, Injustice, Marxism, Post-Colonial Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research examines how Festus Iyayi incorporates the concept of Social Realism into his fiction to highlight and critique social and political issues in Nigeria.
Which specific works of Festus Iyayi are analyzed?
The study focuses on his three novels: Violence (1979), The Contract (1982), and Heroes (1986), as well as his short story collection, Awaiting Court Martial (1996).
What is the central research question?
The study interrogates how Iyayi treats socially realistic themes and how his narrative approach has evolved over time to situate his work within the canon of African Social Realist literature.
What methodology is employed in this thesis?
The author uses the library method, relying on primary texts and secondary sources such as critical essays, historical accounts, and literary reviews to construct a theoretical framework for his analysis.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body systematically analyzes the growth of Iyayi's literary craftsmanship, tracking his progression from a beginner in Violence to a master of Social Realism in his later publications.
What characteristics define the keywords of this work?
The keywords reflect the intersection of political ideology, literary form, and social criticism, which are central to understanding Iyayi’s unique perspective on Nigerian society.
How does the author view Iyayi's treatment of the Nigerian civil war in Heroes?
The author considers Heroes to be a unique contribution that offers an objective, class-conscious perspective on the war, distinguishing it from other accounts that focus on ethnic or partisan rhetoric.
What role does the collection 'Awaiting Court Martial' play in the thesis?
The collection is presented as the culmination of Iyayi’s artistic development, showcasing his mastery of indirect, sophisticated narrative techniques to expose systemic corruption.
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- Abdullahi Haruna (Autor:in), 2014, African fiction and its social context. A critical analysis of social realism in Festus Iyayi's works, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470736
