THE NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOVEL IN ENGLISH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

THE NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOVEL IN ENGLISH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract:

Although the Nigerian novel in English is bound by its common concern with designating the Nigerian post-colonial situation, its evolution and growth have not occured evenly within the geo-political sections of the country. This novel assumes prominence in Northern Nigeria only lately and until recently, it has been numerically less widespread. In essence, this uneven development of the Nigerian Novel in English despite its common concerns requires investigation. This dissertation therefore examines the peculiar conditions within which the novel in English evolved in Northern Nigeria. In particular, it evaluates the role of the Arab/Islamic and the Euro/Christian civilizations in the structural transformation of Northern Nigeria and how this affected the evolution and growth of the novel form. In this context, the study is concerned with the impact of complex historical conditions on the novel, especially as this relates to its paucity or, until recently, dearth in Northern Nigeria. Such critical factors as the nature of Western education, the development of literary culture, publication outlets etc give a fuller picture of the slow pace of literary creativity in English in Northern Nigeria. Although literary creativity in English began late in Northern Nigeria and the push and pull of Judo-Christian and Arab-Islamic influence give the literature its local colour. These developments did not however blurr the focus of the literary works that emerged. The novel in English, for instance, transcends the peculiarity of its regional background and thus expresses issues of broad concern to Nigeria. In specific terms, this study is based on the novels of Ibrahim Tahir, Abubakar Gimba and Zaynab Alkali.

THE NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOVEL IN ENGLISH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

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