THEMES ET REALITES SOCIO-HISTORIQUES DANS L’OEUVRE DE CALIXTHE BEYALA

THEMES ET REALITES SOCIO-HISTORIQUES DANS L’OEUVRE DE CALIXTHE BEYALA

ABSTRACT

This research work is a study of the relation between themes and social reality in the books of Calixthe Beyala. Beyala, a Cameroonian author, has to her credit, many books, a feat, which earns her the reputation of a prolific writer. However, because her main characters are women and children, her writings have always been studied from the feminist point of view. This study examines Beyala’s novels from the point of view of her interpretation of social reality, thus looking beyond feminism. The work is divided into six chapters. The first chapter gives a general overview of the problem. In this chapter, we also show the importance of the study, as well as the objectives and limitation. Chapter two dwells on the literature review on studies that have been carried out on Beyala’s novels. While there has not been much in-depth study on Beyala, most of what exists is the feminist point of view. In chapter three, we presented the theoretical framework in which the study is carried out. The thematic and sociological approaches were used. Chapters four and five are thematic analysis of Beyala’s work. Different themes are treated. As themes which reflect the socio-historical reality, Beyala’s novels treat themes which show the impact of the policy of acculturation. Sociocultural themes are reflected by the social institutions, corruption of African leaders or an attitude of indifference towards children, who represent the future of Africa. This state of affairs leads to discontentment and the inevitable shift of young people from the rural areas to urban areas or subsequently to Europe, a move which does not yield the expected result. The sixth chapter shows the style of Beyala’s writings, which helps to further show the relation between themes and reality. Of interest is her use of language, her realistic manner of description, as well as her recourse to a use of language, which adapts to the milieu of the people, whose interest she is protecting.

THEMES ET REALITES SOCIO-HISTORIQUES DANS L’OEUVRE DE CALIXTHE BEYALA