The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression. An Introduction

A. Ambanasom

Description

Initially considered something of a black sheep within the Anglophone Cameroon literary genres, the Anglophone novel has gradually grown to carve out a respectable niche for itself in the Anglophone Cameroon sub-system, imposing itself in a way that makes it impossible for critics to ignore it. Now a vibrant genre, it even threatens to overtake drama and poetry, both of which have enjoyed more critical attention. This book is a study of how Anglophone Cameroon has contributed in extending the possibilities of the novel as a literary form, and of some of the established conventions necessary for a fruitful evaluation of the growing body of the Cameroonian novel in English. In this eclectic and compelling book, Ambanasom sets out to achieve three primary objectives: to introduce the reader to the extensive body of Cameroonian novels in English, to re-examine the distorting and limiting criteria upon which the critical assessment of the Cameroonian novel in English has so far been based, and to bridge the widening chasm between literary theory and actual critical practice. To achieve these objectives, Ambanasom begins by elaborating an alternative and flexible theoretical framework which he christens the 'Socio-Artistic Approach' and which, according to him, is 'concerned with both a text's thematic, moral, cultural or ideological issues, on the one hand, and its central literary analysis, on the other.' He then proceeds to use this new critical framework to examine twenty-seven major Cameroonian novels in English. There are critical voices, already emerging within the Anglophone Cameroonian literary circles, calling for rigorous teaching and practice of theory in the interpretation of literary works, setting in motion a critical discourse. Such a call is salutary, and welcome. Those university lecturers whose responsibility it is to teach theoretical courses should take this call very seriously, moving from theory to hands-on practice. This book is Ambanasom's contribution to that critical debate.

Sujets

• Literary Criticism

Informations

• Publié par: Langaa RPCIG
• Date de parution: 15 août 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 11
• EAN13: 9789956716340
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression: An Introduction

Shadrach A. Ambanasom

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Shadrach A. Ambanasom Son of the Native Soil The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression: An Introduction

The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression

An Introduction

Shadrach A. Ambanasom

Langaa Research & Publishing CIG Mankon,Bamenda

Publisher: LangaaRPCIG Langaa Research & Publishing Common Initiative Group P.O. Box 902 Mankon Bamenda North West Region Cameroon [e-mail] www.langaa-rpcig.net

Distributed outside N. America by African Books Collective [e-mail] www.africanbookscollective.com

Distributed in N. America by Michigan State University Press [e-mail] www.msupress.msu.edu

DISCLAIMER

ISBN: 9956-558-69-9

© Shadrach A. Ambanasom 2009

All views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Langaa RPCIG.

The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression: An Introduction

Content

Dedication ....................................................................................... vii Acknowledgments ........................................................................... ix Foreword .......................................................................................... xi Preface ............................................................................................ xiii

Part One The Theoretical Framework Introduction ....................................................................................................... 3

Chapter One The Socio-Artistic Approach .......................................................................... 7

Chapter Two Enlightened Eclecticism ............................................................................... 33

Part Two Practical Analysis of Novels Chapter Three Encounter With Europe ................................................................................ 45

Chapter Four Anti-Heroes and Societal Crooks ................................................................ 77

Chapter Five Women and Sexuality ................................................................................... 113

Chapter Six Opposing Visions of Feminism ................................................................. 137

Chapter Seven Alternative Ideological Visions .................................................................. 155

Conclusion ...................................................................................... 201 Biographical Notes on the Novelists ........................................... 205 Works Cited .................................................................................... 211

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The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression: An Introduction

Dedication

To the genuine scholar who, while the rest of humanity is asleep, stays awake and seeks to scale higher heights to harvest shining stars, and to fathom deeper depths to extract precious gems for our delight.

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The Cameroonian Novel of English Expression: An Introduction

Acknowledgments

Given the monumental problems and professional engagements with which I was encumbered during the final phase of this project, completing it against all odds was nothing short of a miracle. Consequently, I am eternally grateful to the Almighty God for the strength, inspiration, and wisdom which He gave me to accomplish the task at this particular time. I am equally grateful to Dr Alfred Ndi and Professor Kashim Ibrahim Tala who meticulously read the manuscript and made very useful suggestions, providing insightful comments that helped to enhance the quality of the work. I am particularly indebted to Professor Tala for the ‘Foreword’ which, despite his numerous, time-consuming professorial commitments, he could still find time to write. I must mention here the significant contribution by Professor Bole Butake who provided me, from his rich personal library, the rare copies of the two texts by Mbella Sonne Dipoko, and the even rarer copies of the two texts by Ngoran C. Tardzenyuy. Without this crucial help, my work would have been seriously limited. I am thankful to Mr Akouyu Sylvanus of Spotless Documentation 3 – Corners Bambili and Ms Ndzegham Caroline Foven of the Dean’s Office ENS Annexe Bambili who did a great job to transform the manuscript into the polished computerised version. I owe a debt of gratitude to the following former students of mine for proofreading the final draft of the work and detecting some annoying, elusive errors. They are Ms Masha Edith Mungwa of G.B.H.S. Kumbo and Ntangnyui Patrick Tata of G.B.H.S. Ndop. Members of my family, especially my wife Ambanasom Frida, endured many inconveniences, and sacrificed a great deal to enable me to work with maximum comfort. Their love was just the additional tonic I badly needed. I am grateful to them for it. Ultimately, however, I am solely responsible for any errors that the book may possibly contain.

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