POLITICS IN SELECTED HOVELS OF FERDINAND OYONO AND MONGO BETI

POLITICS IN SELECTED HOVELS OF FERDINAND OYONO AND MONGO BETI

Abstract:

This thesis explores both the colonial and post-colonial political situations in the Cameroons as expressed in some of the novels of Ferdinand Oyono and Mongo Beti. For a broad understanding of the basis of power and the necessity for change, the works are looked at from a sociopolitical point of view. Chapter One, which is the introduction, gives a brief historical background to the political order in Cameroon up to the attainment of independence. The literature review outlines the justification for this study. Chapters Two and Three examine the colonial political set up with reference to Houseboy and The Old Man and the medal. Emphasis is laid on administration while the church and other social aspects are used to bring out the ills of the colonial administration. Chapter Four explores other aspects of colonialism, gives us a general idea of the nature of the physical revolt in the struggle for independence and how finally power is wrongly handed over to the friends of the French colonists. Remember Ruben is used as our book of reference in this chapter. In Chapter Five, Perpetua and the Habit of Unhappiness is used to show the disillusionment of the post-independence political elite as perceived by the Cameroonian novelist. vii The conclusion shows that in contesting for a better political option, both Oyono and Beti provide such an interpretation of history as to bring out the truth as the African in the colonial and the masses in the post-colonial society see it. They at the same time implicitly or explicitly state possible solutions to their society’s problems.

POLITICS IN SELECTED HOVELS OF FERDINAND OYONO AND MONGO BETI