MST-Department of Literature

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Browsing MST-Department of Literature by Author "Gikunda, Njogu Jackson"

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    A literary study of dislocation in selected plays by JOHN RUGANDA
    (2011-08-11) Gikunda, Njogu Jackson; Jackson Gikundu Njogu; Michael Wainaina; John Mugubi
    John Ruganda is undoubtedly one of East Africa's most popular playwrights, going by the volumes of plays and sensitivity to the human predicament widely acknowledged by critics of his drama. Imbuga and Kyallo serve as prominent examples. Writting from the 1970s to 1980s when Uganda was undergoing one of its most restive socio-political moments, the epoch's influence on him is not in doubt as one reads the plays. It is however unfortunate that scant criticism has been accorded his works in relation to dislocation which is a major concern for the playwright. This study seeks to fill this gap by a literature analysis of three of his plays in relation to this theme. The study acknowledges the breadth and complexity of the theme by unpacking it into constituents of social-cultural aspects, political causations and exile. The texts selected for the study are Convenant with Death, (1973), The floods (1980) and Shreds of Tenderness (2000). Although each of these texts is being analyzed in relation to a specific objectives, the three are seen as connected in the realm of their social-historical influences and the playwright's commitment. Chapter One discusses the background and the research methodology while Chapter Two discusses the social-cultural aspects as seen through the experiences of one Matama, the protagonist in Covenant. Chapter One discusses the background and the research methodology while Chapter Two discusses the socio-cultural aspects as seen through the experiences of one Matama, the protagonist in Covenant. Three argues that a hostile political environment in the region is a major contributor to dislocation as proven in The Floods. Shreds of Tenderness is treated in chapter four. Wak witu, the symbolic refugee, is the subject. Through him, Ruganda presents dislocation through the exile dimension. In Chapter Five we estalish textual interwooveness, makes a summary, draws conclusions and makes recommendations for further studies. The study is library- based owing to the textual nature of primary and secondary sources of data. The study argues that the texts delve into the theme of dislocation in a combination of literary, historical and autobiographical patterning. Textual exegesis takes a form of reading guided by a synchronization of theories, drawn from Isaac Yetiv and Anne Gagiano. We conclude that dislocation is a product of interlinked variables, which enjoy a physical as well as a psychic quality. The study is a library - based owing to the texual nature of primary and secondary sources of data. The study argues that the texts delve into the theme of dislocation in a combination of literary, historical and autobiographical patterning. Textual exegesis takes a form of reading guided by a synchronization of theories, drawn from Isaac Yetiv and Anne Gagiano. We conclude that dislocation is a product of interlinked variables, which enjoy a physical as well as a phychic quality.