THE REALIST TRADITION IN NIGERIAN LITERATURE: AN ANALYSIS OF MICHAEL PEEL’S A SWAMP FULL OF DOLLARS AND TANURE OJAIDE’S THE ACTIVIST

Date

2015-10-13

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Publisher

department of English, faculty of arts nasarawa state university keffi

Abstract

In the light of recent global concerns over climate change, global warming, natural and manmade disasters etc, it has become necessary to establish the root causes of these problems. This research work pins the problem on environmental degradation. By adopting a maximalist approach to environmental issues as opposed to the minimalist, this research work has treated all issues as emanating from the degradation of the total environment. Isolating the Niger Delta experience, the recurring problems of corruption, insurgency and ethnic clashes in Nigeria have been identified and traced to the incursion of oil exploration and exportation following the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Using the ecocritical approach to literary studies, the research investigated the psychology of the victimised in the Niger Delta through the terror unleashed by the victimiser and the psychology of the predator in the attempt to rationalize latter’s actions. The research concluded that the tendency towards violence as a means to resolve crisis has emanated from the desire of man to exert control over natural resources. The examination used two categories that emanate from the socio-political problems in the Niger Delta: the faction of Peel, and the fiction of Ojaide. The essay has stressed the need to employ dialogue in resolving the key issues of resource control and derivation formula to resolve the crisis. In all, the research emphasized the integral place of the quality of life led by a people which can only be guaranteed by the resolution of the issues of corruption, inequality and extreme hierarchies institutionalized in Nigeria which mitigate against development.

Description

Dissertation

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Citation

BEING AN M.A. DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF ARTS(M.A.) DEGREE IN LITERATURE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH FACULTY OF ARTS NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFF