Mother is Gold A Study in West African Literature [Paperback]

This critical study examines the most significant work in verse, prose, drama, children's literature, journalism and political writing in West Africa.This critical study examines the most significant work in verse, prose, drama, childrens literature, journalism and political writing in West Africa. The author examines the writing of major figures such as Soyinka, Achebe, Okara, Clark, Tutuola and Ekwensi as well as that of authors whose work is not as widely known.This critical study examines the most significant work in verse, prose, drama, childrens literature, journalism and political writing in West Africa. The author examines the writing of major figures such as Soyinka, Achebe, Okara, Clark, Tutuola and Ekwensi as well as that of authors whose work is not as widely known.How did West African literature in English begin? What influences affected its birth and development? How much does it imitate European models? How is traditional African culture influencing modern writing? What kind of experiments are being tried? These are some of the questions, relevant to African writing throughout the continent, which this critical study discusses by examining the most significant work in verse, prose, drama, children's literature, journalism and political writing in West Africa. The author examines the writing of major figures such as Soyinka, Achebe, Okara, Clark, Tutuola and Ekwensi as well as that of authors whose work is not as widely known.Acknowledgements; Preface; 1. The background; 2. Progress in verse; 3. West African prose; 4. Further prose: children, highlifers, and politicians; 5. Drama; Conclusion; Notes to the text; Select bibliography; Index.