AESTHETICS OF RESISTANCE IN TANURE OJAIDE’S THE ACTIVIST

AESTHETICS OF RESISTANCE IN TANURE OJAIDE’S THE ACTIVIST AND HELON HABILA’S WAITING FOR AN ANGEL

ABSTRACT

Since Nigeria’s political independence in 1960, ensuring administrations have virtually towed the path of devastation. How have Tanure Ojaide and Helon Habila been able to portray the aesthetics of resistance inThe Activist and Waiting for an Angel respectively using the New Historicism theory. The authors through various characters and events have been able to portray the aesthetics of resistance. It is therefore safe to say that there is aesthetics in resistance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 General Introduction

1.1 Definition of Terms

1.2 Purpose of Study

1.3 Justification

1.4 Scope of the Study

1.5 Methodology

References

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 The Historical Context

2.2 The Author’s Background

2.3 The Critic/Reader

References

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Introduction

3.1 The Nigerian-Niger Delta Situation

3.2 Aesthetics of Resistance

Reference

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Aesthetics of Resistance

Reference

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Findings and Conclusion

Bibliography

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION

…art has a purpose. I believe in the social status of art…it must be used to advance the cause of humanity… I believe that if art has any sake at all, it is humanity…I am a humanist. The content is as important as the work. A work of art is not a technical jargon…A container without content is empty. As concerned committed artist, the basis of all art is justice (Osundare, 16).

The above extract forms the basis of this work. It emphasizes the relevance of art to humanity and also shows the duty of the artist to the society in which he lives. Dating back from the colonial era, to the time after independence, the socio-economic situation of Nigeria has continued to waver. The British Empire expanded trade with Nigeria following the Napoleonic wars and in January 1901 Nigeria became a British protectorate. The British were first interested in trade but later delved into governance. By the middle of the 20th century, the great wave for independence was sweeping across the country. The British, were pressured by some Elites (such as Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Anthony Enahoro) to grant Nigeria independence. In March 1953, Enahoro moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence. The motion according to Enahoro was ‘fired by the dream to build a new and modern nation’ (The Guardian, 16).

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