Soyinka's Myth, Literature & the African World

The central theme of Wole Soyinka's Myth, Literature and the African World is that the most important myths and literature in Africa are those which allow Africans to understand and appreciate their lives and history without comparing it in some way to the European experience. Soyinka writes that his book

eliciting from history, mythology and literature, for the benefit of both genuine aliens and alienated Africans, a continuing process of self-apprehension whose temporary dislocation appears to have persuaded many of its non-existence or its irrelevance . . . in contemporary world reality (xi).

In other words, Africans have let the European world convince them that their culture was somehow inferior to that of Europe. Only in the last few decades have Africans started to wake up to this lie and to discover that they have a reality which is completely separate from European reality. It is not surprising to find that "some of the literature discussed in these lectures has a note of stridency" (xi). There is much anger in this literature, but this anger is necessary if Africans are going to re-claim their culture and re-define it in African terms rather than European terms.

Another important theme, however, is the universal element which underlies African myth and literature. Soyinka is not saying that African society, culture, politics, etc., are so completely different that they cannot be compared to other cultures. He is saying that Africans must re-d

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Africans and non-Africans. For non-Africans, it is important to see African culture on its own terms, in its own images and myths. If Africa continues to be misunderstood by non-Africans, it can only lead to greater instability on that continent as African nations try to carry out foreign policies with nations which do not understand them. For Africans, the book and its themes are important if Africa is going to improve its development politically, socially and economically on its own, and with non-African nations. The world of politics is run according to power. Power is in part based on strong individual, national and cultural identity. If African nations base their identity mainly on European standards, or mainly in terms of relations with the European world, then those African nations will never have the power they need to operate effectively in world politics. In this book, Soyinka tries to show ways that African writers are using images and myths to strengthen African culture. At the same time, he is not saying that everything African writers write is effective. On Armah's work, he says "There are of course serious weaknesses in the book. The long seer-run overture occasionally creaks, Armah's prose style appears unequa

Category: Literature - S