ABSTRACT: This research work examines Exploitation And Dehumanization In Post- Colonial Nigeria: A Critique Of Festus Iyayi’s Violence And Chinua Achebe’s A Man Of The People. The study has revealed that Festus Iyayi and Chinua Achebe belong to different generations of Nigerian writers who see corruption, violence and socio-cultural conflicts in our Nigerian societies as the result of misleading and corrupt practices of political leaders in our contemporary Nigerian society. The study also shows that Nigerian societies are faced with political conflict, political disillusionment and political oppression because of mal-administration, dictatorship and excessive socio-political conflicts imposed by the corrupt leaders.
The study therefore recommends good literature novels with good moral lessons to be exposed to the learners on the effects of corruption and violence in our Nigerian society and Africa at large. The authors’ views are equally established with the hope of an end goal of finding solutions that will take Africa out of the shackles of corruption, violence poverty and inequality.
Exploitation And Dehumanization In Post- Colonial Nigeria: A Critique Of Festus Iyayi’s Violence And Chinua Achebe’s A Man Of The People
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The background to this study evaluates Festus Iyayi and Chinua Achebe’ sex ploration of the trend of exploitation, dehumanization and social economic and political forces affecting the Nigerian society. As a socialist, Iyayi mobilises the workers to resist their oppressive and dehumanizing conditions with the aim of making change. In an interview with Kunle Jibade, Iyayi reiterates:
I write because I want to see changes that would transform the lives of the people. My writing is directed at and dedicated to those who are interested in bringing about a positive change in our society (1).
From the foregoing, Iyayi explores how the Nigerian socio-political structures looks and urges the oppressors tonight for their political and economic rights. On the other hand, Achebe as one of the most powerful voices in the Nigerian literary scene addresses the Nigerian society and national interests. He writes on the Nigerian’s post-independence phase, when the country became a ‘cesspool of corruption and misrule’ in the context of colonial-style, social and economic development, a situation that resulted in conflict between the emergent elitist middle class and the general populace.
Essentially, Achebe and Iyayi paints a picture of exploitation of the masses in these two novels thereby making the reader sympathize with these wretched of the Nigerian society. They equally paint a critical picture of the bourgeois class where they hold them responsible for the inherent exploitation, oppression and dehumanization of the poor masses in post-colonial Nigeria. The suffering of these poor has reflected on the socio-economic and political milieus in Nigeria. The above forms the element of exploitation and dehumanization as the background to this study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The effects of exploitation and dehumanization of the masses as portrayed by the two novelists in this research truly hampers the progress of the Nigerian society; inflict different socio-economic challenges, violence, poverty and sexual exploitation.
The study therefore concerns on how to enhance comfort the Nigerians instead of exploiting the poor as seen in the suffering of the characters in the novels.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this research work is to examine exploitation and dehumanization in the novels of Festus Iyayi’s Violence and Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research will be beneficiary to the Nigerian political leaders especially in the house of Senate and Assemblies with knowledge on how the poor Nigerians suffer of exploitation, corruption and poverty. The study is going to enlighten researchers especially literature, reader of this study and students of English with more knowledge on the evil of exploitative condition of upper class of Kenyans and Nigerians.
1.5 Objectives of the Study
The following the objectives of this research work are:
- to analyse the exploitation and dehumanization in Iyayi’s Violence and Achebe’s A Man of The People
- to investigate the causes and effects of exploitation and dehumanization in the Nigerian society.
- to provide solution on the evil of exploitation and dehumanization bedevilling the Nigerian society.
Exploitation And Dehumanization In Post- Colonial Nigeria: A Critique Of Festus Iyayi’s Violence And Chinua Achebe’s A Man Of The People
1.6 Research Methodology
This research work will make use of Iyayi’s Violence and Achebe’s A Man of The People as the primary sources. The secondary sources are the use of African novels, libraries, internet and academic magazines for more information on the research work.
