THE NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOVEL IN ENGLISH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
THE NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOVEL IN ENGLISH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
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Date
2005-05
Authors
JOSEPH, ABEL
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Abstract
Although the Nigerian novel in English is bound by its common concern with
designating the Nigerian post-colonial situation, its evolution and growth have not
occured evenly within the geo-political sections of the country. This novel assumes
prominence in Northern Nigeria only lately and until recently, it has been numerically
less widespread. In essence, this uneven development of the Nigerian Novel in English
despite its common concerns requires investigation.
This dissertation therefore examines the peculiar conditions within which the
novel in English evolved in Northern Nigeria. In particular, it evaluates the role of the
Arab/Islamic and the Euro/Christian civilizations in the structural transformation of
Northern Nigeria and how this affected the evolution and growth of the novel form. In
this context, the study is concerned with the impact of complex historical conditions on
the novel, especially as this relates to its paucity or, until recently, dearth in Northern
Nigeria. Such critical factors as the nature of Western education, the development of
literary culture, publication outlets etc give a fuller picture of the slow pace of literary
creativity in English in Northern Nigeria.
Although literary creativity in English began late in Northern Nigeria and the
push and pull of Judo-Christian and Arab-Islamic influence give the literature its local
colour. These developments did not however blurr the focus of the literary works that
emerged. The novel in English, for instance, transcends the peculiarity of its regional
background and thus expresses issues of broad concern to Nigeria. In specific terms, this
study is based on the novels of Ibrahim Tahir, Abubakar Gimba and Zaynab Alkali.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(Ph.D) IN LITERATURE
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND DRAMA
FACULTY OF ARTS
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
MAY 2005
Keywords
NATURE,, DEVELOPMENT,, NOVEL,, ENGLISH,, NORTHERN NIGERIA