Drafts by Nnadube J O N A T H A N Ejiogu
In the contemporary Nigerian political landscape, an alarming trend has emerged, characterized by... more In the contemporary Nigerian political landscape, an alarming trend has emerged, characterized by a surge in legal disputes among political candidates and parties after the conclusion of almost every elections. These disputes primarily stem from perceived malpractices by the electoral body, prompting recourse to the judiciary for redress (Uchenna 161, Ojo, Adewunmi, and Oluwole 11, Aluaigba 136). However, a disconcerting observation made by critics is the apparent erosion of the judiciary's integrity, with accusations of misinterpreting the constitution and enabling technicalities rather than dispensing impartial justice. This concerning development has sparked scholarly discussions and analyses.Through Wole Soyinka’s Magnum opus, Death and the King’s Horseman, there is a sense in which it can be argued that the dramaturgic composition makes a submission on the discourse of technicalities as an ignoble intervention that truncates societal progress. This paper attempts to appreciate how Soyinka engages the theme of duty to make a profound commentary on the discourse of technicalities.
University of Lagos, 2021
University of Lagos, 2019
The phenomenon of abandoned children and parent's irresponsibility is at the epicenter of Amma Da... more The phenomenon of abandoned children and parent's irresponsibility is at the epicenter of Amma Darko's construction. As a corollary to this, critics have come to review the text from standpoints within the established phenomenal domain. Similarly, the motivation here holds sway within this parameter. However, the objective here is to examine the nature of culture towards children and its attendant role in defining into existence a class order-the adults versus the children. Such class identification signals a hint of marxist structure, a society in which a powerful group dominate and oppress the powerless marginal group. Unlike other previous critiquing that has investigated this phenomenon from a Marxist lens only and moral perspectives, the uniqueness of this study rests on the fact that it draws insight from both Marxism and Cultural Criticsm in the identification of the origin of such socio-phenomenal damage using Amma Darko's Faceless
University of Lagos, 2019
In J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace, there is a presentation of an invisible, yet powerful character-Desir... more In J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace, there is a presentation of an invisible, yet powerful character-Desire. Desire (with a capital 'D') is not considered as an abstraction but as a full-fledged character. The rationale here is to provide exegesis on the undercurrents of Marxism and psychoanalysis that Coetzee adopts in the complex construction of the text. While the tragic hero, David Lurie, is a symbol of the proletariat subject, his intricate Desire acquires the apparatus of the bourgeoisie. This unconventional marxistpsychoanalysis formulae paints a picture of the contention between Desire versus Self. At an elevated level, this essay attempts to situate an argument that is anchored on an understanding that both traditional theories can be simultaneously adopted in the explication of Coetzee's Disgrace.
Validating the Subjects of the Novel: Through the Lens of E.M. Forster, Northrop Frye and Ian Watt.
The concept of Formalism is generally regarded as an approach to literature that concentrates on ... more The concept of Formalism is generally regarded as an approach to literature that concentrates on the interpretation of a work of art based on its form and internal structure (Fard, 2016; Faniran and Adetuyi, 2017; and, Mishra, 2011). The inference here is that what constitutes the form and structure of any literary work is fundamentally essential to the Formalist literary approach. It then goes to mean that apart from organisation of a work which is seriously considered in a prose narrative, the Formalists achieve their objective by examining the metre, rhythm, figures of speech and other devices, such as imagery, motifs, styles and conventions. For them, there ought to be sharp distinction between what constitutes the ordinary and the literary with reference to poetry. Upon this backdrop, therefore, language becomes a resourceful tool, so that, through appropriate language use, certain conclusions on distinctions of poetry can be reached. The argument that the Formalist approach to literature can be dated back to classical Greece has long been settled among scholars. Although, it is recorded that the twentieth century saw to the advent of the Formalist movements, I.e, Russian Formalism and American New Criticism, but the conception of this movement can be traced to Aristotle (384-322 B.C). In his Poetics, Aristotle prescribes the formula and rules that, as a matter of necessity, must guide the creation of poetry. Given this schema, Aristotle may be considered as the First Formalist critic.
The South African Experience and Protest Poetry: A Reading of Zindzi Mandela's "I Saw as a Child" and "I have tried hard", 2020
This paper explores the South African Experience and Protest Poetry. In achieving this, it adopts... more This paper explores the South African Experience and Protest Poetry. In achieving this, it adopts the poems of Zindzi Mandela, "I Saw as a Child" and "I have tried hard", as case studies.
Papers by Nnadube J O N A T H A N Ejiogu
International Journal of English and Studies, 2022
Undoubtedly, William Shakespeare's Sonnets have achieved enduring popularity through several gene... more Undoubtedly, William Shakespeare's Sonnets have achieved enduring popularity through several generations for several reasons. Arguably, one of the factors that accounts for this achievement may be traced to the architecture-content and form-of the poetry. Studies have revealed that the sonnets is a pathfinder in the forging of the Elizabethan sonnets and that Shakespeare, through the poems, is able to hint on several issues relevant to the existence of man. The intention of this paper is, therefore, to carry out a critical assessment of "Sonnet 104" by examining its form and content.
Academia Letters, 2021
it is a common knowledge that the worldview of a particular group goes to determine the behaviora... more it is a common knowledge that the worldview of a particular group goes to determine the behavioral patterns of that group. Worldview suggests how people perceive and explain their world. If this is any definition to go by, one would then be committing an error to prejudge the culture of a group of people by the standards of a different culture/group. this, in no small measure, explains the misconceptions and rift among cultural groups within a multicultural environment as Nigeria. Explaining the critical position here will define into existence a phenomenon that has captured my attention recently-"the concept of looking one in the face". The predominant ethnic groups in Nigeria are Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, but for the sake of what drives my discourse here, my focus will rely on the Yorubas and Igbos. The aforementioned groups occupy different geographical borders; but beyond this, their distinct worldview distances them. One of such worldview would be the phenomenon of what "looking someone in the face" signifies to these groups. Within the Yoruba tradition, this concept of looking one in the face transcends beyond the immediacy of that action into the ideals of what constitutes respect. Arguably, this is why respectable people such as traditional rulers or the elderly are greeted in a way that they are not directly looked at in the face. This veil of cultural consciousness presupposes why it is considered an offense within this traditional milieu for one to converse with an elderly person
International Journal of English and Studies (IJOES), 2021
The analytical inquest here stems from the interst in exploring how two opposing theories can be ... more The analytical inquest here stems from the interst in exploring how two opposing theories can be harmonised and persuaded to be regenerative by lying together. Giving this objective, Marxism and Post colonialism become the choice theories for this research exploration. Also, to achieve this, it is the vision here to adopt Wole Soyinka's Masterpiece, Death and the King's Horseman. The mechanics and logistics of this research also railroads into identifying with the Marxist concept known as Oppression and Postconialist concept known as Appropriation, as specific tools that can be harmonised from within the separate broad theoretical discourses. Equally, in Death and the King's Horseman, the specific interests upon which the concept of Oppression and Appropriation will beam its searchlight into are the areas of education and religion.
Grin Verlag, 2021
Cultural Criticsm and Feminism are literary theories that have been employed in the critical anal... more Cultural Criticsm and Feminism are literary theories that have been employed in the critical analysis here in the generation of meaning in Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter. In exploring this investigation, the argument here is hinged on the fact that to properly ascertain the depth of female subjugation in such a traditional society, a researcher must, as a necessity, employ also, the tropes of Cultural Criticsm. The rationale behind this proves that through the lens of cultural criticism, the text can be better appreciated through the traditional theory of feminism.
GRIN Verlag, 2021
Ebenezer Obey is known for weaving invaluable traditional wisdom in his music. His type of music,... more Ebenezer Obey is known for weaving invaluable traditional wisdom in his music. His type of music, that is the popular genre know as Juju music has become a medium for passing quality insight on living. Perhaps, two things are notable for supplying residual animation that irrigates his lyrics: the fact that he borrows his raw materials form the lived experiences around him; and, the fact that his music gives free rein to the spirituality which takes its root from uprightness, virtue and being righteous. Ultimately, importation of this into his music makes it possible for his music to serve as a repository for traditional wisdom. To buttress the established premise, this research shall engage Obey's songs titled: “Igba Owuro”, “Aimasiko”, “Oro Ogunpa”, “Ota mi Dehin Leyin mi” and “The Horse, The Man & The Son”. These songs are classifed according to the similarities in their thematic preoccupation. They are also carefully selected because, apart from the fact that they bear witness to the research intention, they also touch on different aspects of our existential aspiration. It is, therefore, the aim of this research to portray how the Juju music of Evangelist Ebenezer Obey's lyrics encode traditional wisdom within it.
Grin Verlag, 2021
Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot occupies a reverend domain in literary history for reasons cri... more Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot occupies a reverend domain in literary history for reasons critics are quick to mention when the need arises. From its first premiere in 1953 to this current day, the text is still being highly reputed. The intention here is to attempt an investigation for such hallowed disposition in the oeuvre of literature through the application of New-Historicism and Reader-response criticsms. The research motivation stems from the interest in noting how Beckett is able to encode the prevailing manners of the Modernist literary era. Beyond this, the objective of generating subjective meaning through text-reader transaction adds to the sympathy of this study in that, it is the intention here to present the features that qualify the text as an Absurdist play.
International Journal of English and Studies, 2021
Although New-Historicism and Reader-response literary theories suggest different attempts in the ... more Although New-Historicism and Reader-response literary theories suggest different attempts in the generation of meaning, in fact, they exist in separate domains. However, the connection between them is a matter of the existence of a text. Without doubt, on the most basic and cursory level, New Historicism is aimed at decoding the manner and culture prevalent in a particular time of history as encoded in the text while Reader-response firmly comes from the strength that a work of art cannot generate meaning for itself without the reader. From this measure of understanding, the clarity in the amalgamation possibility becomes clear. In Robinson Crusoe (1719) analysis here, the intention is to identify the meaning of realism construction the researcher gives to it but within the historical context of the 18th century English novel. On this significant scope the twin theories of New-Historicism and Reader-response become unavoidable tools in the research investigation.
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Drafts by Nnadube J O N A T H A N Ejiogu
Papers by Nnadube J O N A T H A N Ejiogu