The Theme of Exploitation in African Literature in Chris Egheravba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder

Abstract: This study examines the Theme of Exploitation in African Literature in Chris Egheravba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder. The study reveals the effects of exploitation on the society and enlightens the readers on the effects of selfishness and unpatriotism among leaders and followers. Revealing to the reader that exploitation is one of the factor affecting the economic and social growth of the society. The study presents exploitation as a blood sucking demon that needs to be extracted from the face of the society and it awakens the consciousness of the people to do what is right. The study also sounds as an advice to those in power to use their position to protect the people and the integrity of the society rather than using it to enrich themselves and family members, or enslaving and intimidating others.

The study presents African writers as writers with essence, sensibility and impetus not as writers who write for writing sake. Presenting African novels as novel engaged in creation of new order, searching for social values and stability, accountability, good governance and social liberation. That is, African literature serves purpose. Finally, the study recommends that the study of literature should be made compulsory to secondary school scholars because literature gives the learners insight into realities of life and helps improve the moral etiquette of the students against corrupt practices and other social ills and vices.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study
Generally, literature is seen as a mirror that reflects the life experience of man in the society. It is the installation of human experiences and his relations with others and literature gives it readers insight into the realities of life.
Literary writers use their works to examine the strengths and weaknesses of a particular society. Danzinger and Johnson in an introduction to the study of literature have it that:
Literature aims at giving automatic picture of ordinary life, usually by showing typical people of the middle and lower classes engaged in ordinary pursuit and recording their activities in giant and concrete details (122).

When talking of African literature, they are literary creations that mirrors the African society. The African society is plagued with different social vices like corruption, embezzlement social scandals and lot more. Therefore, the African society offers literary writers a good platform and numerous illustrations to present their works.

Wa Thiong’o in Homecoming has, it that literature does not grow or develop in a vacuum, it is a given impetus, shape, direction and even area of concern by social, political and economic forces in a particular society. (XV)
Hence, novels that deal with the realities of life lay emphasis on seemingly inconsequential people who are portrayed or presented in an unidealized way.

In any literary work, be it drama, novel, poetry or short-story, the writer’s dialogue with his physical and human environment comes out as a mirror in which his people and society can see what they look like. Adetuyi (sciedupress 2017, 22).

Chris Egharevba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder are sophisticated work of arts which mirrors the contemporary Nigerian society. They are propaganda against corruption, inequality, exploitation, injustice, unpatriotism, selfishness and other social vices and scandals.

The world is aware of the political, social and economic forces which determine individual’s life. Hence, the novelist highlights and emphasizes on the evils of inefficiency, selfishness, spirit of exploitation, class consciousness, willful neglect of duty by the government, corruption and other political, social and economic ills and how they affect the growth and development of the society.

Oppression of the poor masses, mismanagement of National funds and exploitation of opportunity are typical exemplified in the novels under study and the major problem in the novels is human integrity and unlawful acquisition of wealth and political positions.

This study set out to investigate Chris Egharevba’s preoccupation of events in the contemporary African society, precisely Nigeria. Without any doubt, a critical analysis of these novels shows that the author is awakened by the society.

Generally, Chris presented the society and the widespread evils in it and also present man’s injustice to his fellow and other forms of wickedness infused into the society through man’s foolishness which breeds violence undermining social development and security.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, it has been observed that the effect of oppression, injustice, lack of transparency and others has caused some damages on the society’s integrity and these ills befall the society because of the folly and irrationality of those in power, leaders who undermine the social welfare of their subjects for their betterment.

In today’s African society, anyone that gambles into any political position uses the golden opportunity to enrich himself and family, sending his children and loved ones overseas for greener pasture while they bleed the land of their birth to death. The ideals of social justice, economic stability and harmony are being mercilessly basterdized, good citizens are being executed for committing no crime, maybe perhaps for loving their nation. Horrors are being unleashed by the government on the masses on daily basis, making the nation experience political, social and economic nightmare.

It has also been observed that these ills are not on found in political leader but this contaminated blood flows in the veins of some head of educational sectors and the religious leaders, rendering the society an unsafe place for the poor masses.
Therefore, it is against this background that the comprehensive study and analysis of the Theme of Exploitation in African Literature is highly imperative.

1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the Theme of Exploitation in African Literature using Chris Egharevba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder, to examine the various areas of this theme is being practiced and it effects in the society, to analyse the ways this theme is being portrayed by the leaders of the different political, social, economic and religious organisations in the society.

Also, the purpose of this study is to propose an alternative system of leadership that will make life more meaningful for the majority in the society.

Theme Of Exploitation In African Literature In Chris Egheravba’s Canopy Of Thunder And Legacy Of Thunder

1.4 Objectives of the Study
This study is aimed at:
a. Making a comprehensive analysis of the theme of exploitation in African literature using Chris Egharevba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder.
b. Exposing the wickedness unleashed on the poor masses by the leaders.
c. Analysing class struggle and struggle for social change.
d. Examining the mismanagement of natural funds by the leaders.
e. Prompting the leaders and subjects of the society to refrain from exploitation.
f. Igniting the spirit of oneness and patriotism in anyone that is opportune to read this work to team up against unscrupulous leaders.

1.5 Significance of the Study
Anyone that will be opportune to read this work will stand a great chance of being exposed to the evils in unlawfully exploiting any given opportunity. The reader will be enlightened on the realities of social stratification and the negative effects of selfishness and unpatriotism among leaders and the subjects. Also, the reader will be exposed to the factors that militate against the economic and social growth of the society.

This study will enlighten the reader on how to adopt violence as a tool to redeem the society from gold-diggers occupying the leadership position of the society not exempting the overall benefit of being patriotic as a leader or a subject.

Also, this work will serve as a piece of advice to those in power to use their position to salvage the people, to protect the integrity of the society internally and externally, to represent the people well and to stop making empty mouth-licking promises, also to make good and effective use of the national funds in making life more comfortable for the masses rather than enriching themselves with it thus undermining the social, economic and political growth and development of the society.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This research study will be centered on the Theme of Exploitation in African Literature using Chris Egharevba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder. It will study the theme of exploitation in the contemporary African society as examined in Egharevba’s literary texts under investigation.

1.7 Research Methodology
This work is purely a literary research work which is carried out from the information gathered from the primary text: Chris Egharevba’s Canopy of Thunder and Legacy of Thunder, and information from secondary text like journals that relate to the subject matter under study.
Critical books related to African literature will be examined coupled with internet browsing. Also, library materials will be consulted to gather more information.

Originally posted on February 21, 2021 @ 8:35 am