Imagi(ni)ng people with special needs through literary artistry: an analysis of the oral narrative motif of the princess who could not smile.
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Date
2012
Authors
Mwai, W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Science Journal Publication
Abstract
This paper is developed from research in the oral
narratives of the Agikuyu. The paper revisits the portrait of persons
with special needs in a selected thematic area in Oral Literature, the
motif of The princess who could not smile. After observing that
Literature is a mirror reflection of what happens in society, we argue
that it should also be a guide as to how society was, is and should be.
The portrait of people with special needs in Literature therefore, is
significant to how this category of people was viewed, is viewed and
should be viewed. With reference to the variants of the narrative The
princess who could not smile, the discussion argues that the literary
artist has a very unique portrait of persons with special needs.
Through scrutiny of literary creations we observe that people with
special needs have a reservoir of knowledge that can salvage society
from various trials and tribulations. The analysis warns us that we
often ignore the potentials hidden in these persons and hence society
continues to grapple with problems that could have been addressed
if these potentials were tapped. Society is therefore challenged to
decipher these potentials and propagate them to all and sundry so
that this often ignored wealth is utilized to the well being of the
society at large.
Description
Science Journal of Psychology, Vol. 2012, Article ID sjpsych-180, 4 Pages, 2012. DOI: 10.7237/sjpsych/180
Keywords
Literature, Oral artistry, Motif, Disabilities
Citation
Wangari Mwai “Imagi(in)g People with Special Needs through Literary Artistry: An Analysis of the Oral Narrative Motif of the Princess Who Could Not Smile“ Science Journal of Psychology, Volume 2012, Article ID sjpsych-180, 4 Pg, 2012. doi: 10.7237/sjpsych/180