Oppression and Discrimination in Peter Abraham’s Tell Freedom and Mine Boy

Abstract: This research work examines the theme of Oppression and Discrimination in Peter Abraham’s Tell Freedom and Mine Boy. From the analysis of the novels, the study shows that racism has been considered as a hindrance to the Blacks who live in South Africa. The study has also shown that the white who are even the minority oppress and discriminate against the Blacks because of racism. The authors therefore portray these problems of the Blacks like poverty, economic problems, political and social problems of the masses, less privilege and the poor. Again, the study also shows that, the Blacks die of starvation while some contract diseases and sent away without pay. Consequences, this make their fellow Blacks fight for what is called the survival of the fittest as they protest through resistance to oppression in the novels.

Oppression and Discrimination in Peter Abraham’s Tell Freedom and Mine Boy

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background to the Study

Oppression and discrimination are two major issues that have tormented the history of South Africa. In the same vein, injustices, racial oppression, prejudice, detestation, intolerance, cruelty, subjugation and brutality lie in the history of South Africa. This is why early South African writers like; Peter Abraham, Athol Fugard, Alex La Guma, Nadine Gordimer and Alan Paton have portrayed in their writings the basic South African problems like racial oppression, racism, discrimination and apartheid that restrict the right of South African citizens. These writers use literature as a weapon to fight against humiliation imposed by the white towards the blacks.

On the other hand, their writings portray the obnoxious issues in the lives of the South African such as; colour conflict, racial segregation and the exploitation of the blacks by the white rulers. No doubt, the history of South Africans is about humiliation, oppression, discrimination and disillusionment in the hands of the whites. All these afflictions imposed on the blacks are as a result of colonialism, when the white oppressors came to some parts in African states and treated the Africans as animals regarding the African cultures as meaningless.

It is on the above reasons that the study focuses on Oppression and discrimination in Peter Abraham’s Tell Freedom and Mine Boy.

Oppression and Discrimination in Peter Abraham’s Tell Freedom and Mine Boy

1.2       Statement of the Problem

It is very obvious that the opposite of liberty in the life of South Africans lies in the Oppression, discrimination, humiliation, exploitation and violence. It is also the primary doctrine blamed for the weaknesses and suffering in Southern Africa’s disordered societies.

Moreover, In South African literature, the issue of Black, White and Coloured exits in the major form. It is because the African societies were mixed with these three set of people; the Blacks, Whites and the Coloured which was the product of fusion of Black and White.

It this on  the above concerned the statement of this study aims at examining the unbearable suffering of the Black South African during the time of Apartheid which was introduced by White  masters with the intension to separate the races as per the colour; Whites, Blacks and coloured.

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oppression and discrimination in Peter Abraham’s Tell Freedom and Mine Boy. This research will also discuss the consequences of oppression and discrimination in the lives of Blacks South Africa.

1.4       Significance of the Study

The significance of this research work will the on the benefits to the entire African society. The study will also be significant to students of English and Literary studies as well as other researchers who want to investigate more on the history of South Africans and how they suffered in the hands of the white maters.

Originally posted on April 24, 2021 @ 9:15 pm