BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS IN CARIBBEAN LITERATURE: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF SYLVIA WYNTER’S THE HILLS OF HEBRON, JOHN HEARNE’ S LAND OF THE LIVING, AND ANDREW SALKEY’S JOEY TYSON
BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS IN CARIBBEAN LITERATURE: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF SYLVIA WYNTER’S THE HILLS OF HEBRON, JOHN HEARNE’ S LAND OF THE LIVING, AND ANDREW SALKEY’S JOEY TYSON
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Date
2012-07
Authors
LABO, MOHAMMED
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Abstract
This thesis examines “Black Consciousness” in Caribbean literature
using a Marxist framework.. The thesis argues that religion as it was
interpreted by the whites was anti-black. Christianity was prejudicially,
maliciously and cunningly used by European capitalist imperialists to
enslave, colonise, and exploit black people in the Caribbean. This situation
alienated the Caribbean.
In an attempt to free themselves from their bondage, the black
Caribbean set to reinterpret Christianity to fit their purpose. The thesis
therefore argues that the miserable condition of the blacks in the Caribbean
led them to turn to Africa, their original homeland, where they hoped to
find salvation. Furthermore, the thesis postulates that the post-independence
leaders of the region are as useless to the black masses as their predecessors
(ex-colonial masters), for the new regimes are still serving imperialist
purposes to the detriment of the masses. Thus, the people’s protest against
the new established order.
Over the years, Caribbean writers have, with varying degrees of
success, defended the interests of the oppressed and dispossessed black
masses, in a white-dominated environment. This study is directed to this
commitment of Caribbean writers.
In specific terms, this study examines this consciousness in relation
to Sylvia Wynter’s The Hills of Hebron, John Hearne’s Land of the Living,
and Andrew Salkey’s Joey Tyson.
The study is divided into five chapters. Chapter One, the
introduction, deals with the historical background of the Caribbean region;
the statement of the research problem; the aim and objectives of the study;
the significance of the study; the scope and delimitation of the study; the
research methodology, literature review; and the theoretical framework.
ChapterTwo gives Sylvia Wynter’s background and discusses the themes of
poverty and black spiritual awareness as they relate to Wynter’s The Hill of
Hebron. Chapter Three addresses black West Indians’ search for roots, by
examining their longing for Africa, the myth of Haile Selassie,and the Sons
of Sheba, with reference to Hearne’s Land of the Living, after giving the
author’s background. Chapter Four gives Andrew Salkey’s background and
treats the themes of neo-colonialism, oppression and protest with reference
to Salkey’s Joey Tyson. Chapter Five synthesises and draws conclusion.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Academic degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Department of ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES
Faculty of Arts
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Keywords
BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS, CARIBBEAN LITERATURE,, CRITICAL EXAMINATION,, SYLVIA WYNTER’S ,, HILLS OF HEBRON,, JOHN HEARNE’S,, LAND OF THE LIVING,, ANDREW SALKEY’S JOEY TYSON