The use of myth in grace Ogot's prose fiction
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Date
2009-04
Authors
Ojiambo, Evelyn Nafula
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Abstract
This study investigates the use of myth in Grace Ogot's prose fiction. It highlights
tbe importance of myth as a vital artistic resource to the contemporary writer, the
relevance of myth in articulating contemporary concerns, and the impact of myth
in contemporary writing. According to Bernth Lindfors (1973), identifying myth
in writing is not exhaustive analysis. He suggests an in-depth study of its impact
on the written work. This study further investigates the importance of myth to the
contemporary writer in terms of form, content and technique.
The analysis focuses on the prose fiction of Grace Ogot namely, Land Without
Thunder, The Other Woman, The Promised Land and The Strange Bride, which
consist of her short story collections and novels. These are examined in order to
demonstrate the vitality of myth in the short story and novel genres. The use of
myth in Grace Ogot's fiction has not been comprehensively examined. Hence,
this study seeks to show Ogot's contribution in using myth to address modernity
and its complexities. Library research and textual analysis have richly informed
the analysis in this thesis.
The aesthetic approach as proposed by Isidore Okpewho (1983), forms the
theoretical basis for analysis. Okpewho proposes an important relationship
between myth and contemporary African writing, and perceives myth as a
creative resource. The writer is seen to assume creative freedom at different levels
while using myth, which Okpewho categorizes into four segments; Tradition
Preserved, Tradition Observed, Tradition Refined and Tradition Revised. These
form the four main analytical chapters of this thesis. In the first segment, the study
investigates predominant mythic elements and how they are preserved in Grace
Ogot's prose fiction. The second segment analyses the mythic elements
appropriated in either form or content hence the mode in which they are observed.
The third segment examines Ogot's working towards adopting mythic figures that
allow or assist her in addressing modernity and in turn refines them. The fourth
segment interrogates Ogot's total withdrawal form the use of myths and mythic
elements and as a result works towards creating new myths that explore
modernity. In so doing, the use of myth is revised.
The study fmdings show that Ogot extensively borrows from the myths of her
community. The myths are re-appropriated in either form or content or both
depending on the concerns being projected. Grace Ogot's reliance on myth to
explore modernity is greater than the need to create new myths. Her achievement
is seen in the way she uses the familiar (myth) to address the unfamiliar
(modernity). The study thus demonstrates that myth has served as a vital artistic
resource to the African writer in articulating contemporaneity
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Kenyatta University. April 2009