SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CRITICISM IN MONGO BETI'S NOVELS
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CRITICISM IN MONGO BETI'S NOVELS
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Date
2014-02-11
Authors
ONYEMELUKWE, IFEOMA
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Abstract
This Study is a c r i t i c a l survey of social and political
criticism in B e t i ' s novels to date (1954-1984). It tries among
other things, to examine the basis of B e t i ' s c r i t i c i s m . It is
part of the object of t h i s investigation to discuss B e t i 's
social and p o l i t i c a l c r i t i c i sm in the l i g h t of the novels'
external reference.
B e t i ' s novels often serve as a protest against the social
and p o l i t i c a l i l l s of Africa, in g e n e r a l , and Cameroonian
s o c i e t y in p a r t i c u l a r . Beti's concern with s o c i o - p o l i t i c al
problems of contemporary Africa links him with other committed
African w r i t e r s.
Although a good many c r i t i c s have made several references
t o B e t i ' s social and p o l i t i c a l c r i t i c i s m , none has brought it
up to date or gone into d e t a i l as we have attempted to do in
this work. However, our investigation could not be claimed to
be exhaustive. A f u r t h er study might expound the findings if
t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n . Nevertheless, i t , probably, w o u ld
contribute to the understanding of Beti's.
B e t i ' s n o v e l s , among other t h i n g s , denounce the abuses
of the Catholic Church and a t t a c k the m i s s i o n a r y for playing
a complementary or i d e n t i c a l role with the colonial administrators.
They condemn the economic e x p l o i t a t i o n of the Erican and the
negative effects of colonial rule in Africa. Mongo Beti
deplores the tyranny and conservatism of the elders. He
v i i
denounces the e x p l o i t a t i o n and oppression of the African woman.
The fact that he is a Beti-Pahouin does not stop him from
c r i t i c i z i n g the Imperfections of his people's moral codes of
conduct. Jeti's novels show his indictment of neo-colonialism.
Beti denounces the imposition of Ahidjo on the Cameroonians as
well as the Franco-African Cooperation Arrangement. He sees
these as methods of enhancing neo-colonial subjugation
independent Cameroon. Mongo Beti highlights the socio-economic
problems prevalent in independent Cameroon.
To B e t i , the progressive, evangelism, colonialism,
t r a d i t i o n a l gerontocracy, neo-colonialism and d i c t a t o r s h i p of
African despots are forces of oppression and e x p l o i t a t i o n of
the African. They are inimical to progress in Africa in terms
of more benefits for the generality of the people.
i t would seem t h a t Mongo B e t i , the i d e a l i s t , advocates
an e g a l i t a r i a n s o c i e t y.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate
School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Keywords
SOCIAL, POLITICAL, CRITICISM, MONGO, BETI'S, NOVELS