Gothic Imagination and Construction of Monstrous Bodies in Selected Fictional Works of Nnedi Okorafor
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Date
2023
Authors
Sum, Robert Kipkoech
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The Gothic writing has often been perceived as a form of Western fiction- making. This apparently is based on the fact that Gothic genre originated in Europe in the late eighteenth century, and has been widely exploited in the West (Europe and North America). Contrary to these assumptions, it can be confirmed that Gothic mode has indeed been appropriated by many non–Western fiction writers. An in-depth interrogation of the selected fictional works of Nigerian-American Nnedi Okorafor, namely Who Fears death, Akata Witch, The Book of Phoenix and Zahra The Windseeker reveals that she does indeed appropriate Gothic elements. This thesis seeks to portray how unique Gothic motifs like monstrosity, villainy, morality and others have been appropriated, transformed and complicated in Nnedi Okorafor’s selected novels. Some of the most enduring features of Gothic fiction addressed in this study are monster/monstrosity and oppression. A monster is presented either as a corporeal being that is grotesque, unnatural and often threatening or an individual whose conduct is adjudged inhuman, evil and subversive by a given society. There is a remarkable correlation between monster/monstrosity and oppression. An individual who is either considered nonconformist, or associated with evil risks being labelled as monstrous and thereby subjected to oppression. Equally, an individual, system or institution which subjects people to oppression is often portrayed as monstrous. The main objectives of this thesis therefore are: to explore the aspects of Gothic tradition in Nnedi Okorafor’s selected novels; critically examine significance of monstrous representation; and highlight the relevance of Gothic mode in delineation of ethno-racial realities of oppression in the selected Nnedi Okorafor’s fiction. This study adopted psychoanalytic theoretical postulations of Sigmund Freud Carl Jung, and Anna Freud to explain how monster and monstrosity is generated. Freudian concept of “dream work”, for instance, can be seen as possible explanation for creation of images of fantastic monsters and creatures found in Gothic fiction. This thesis finds that Nnedi Okorafor does indeed appropriate Gothic elements in her fiction. It also establishes that motif of monster/ monstrosity is a significant feature of Okorafor’s fiction and has been represented or presented variously. Lastly, this study finds that oppression is one of the key aspects of Okorafor’s fiction.
Description
A Thesis Submitted To the School Of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Literature) of Kenyatta University June, 2023
Keywords
Gothic Imagination, Construction, Monstrous Bodies, Selected Fictional Works, Nnedi Okorafor