DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LITERATURE

This study explores how poetry can be used to inspire societal change, using Adebayo Lamikanra’a Heart Sounds and Musa Idris Okpanachi’s Music of the Dead as sources of inspiration. The study examines how poets use language and poetic devices to subvert social conventions, elicit thoughts and motivate actions through an analysis of several poems. By exploring the themes of social injustice, political corruption and oppression
presented in these poems, we may reveal poetry’s innate ability to raise consciousness and spark social justice movement. The study encourages readers to appreciate poetry as not only an art form but also a potent tool for effecting positive societal change.

This essay examines the spatial conundrum in Niyi Osundare’s poetry collection on hurricane Katrina disaster in order to investigate how the poet has represented the effects of the storm on the city of New Orleans. The research aims to analyse the spatial imagery and metaphors used in Osundare’s poetry to convey the experiences of Katrina victims. It also investigates how the poems challenge and reinforce dominant narratives of disaster response and recovery

This project examines the depiction of the Nigerian Civil War in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun. It’s focus is on how the novel portrays the war's impact on individuals, families, and communities. Findings reveal that Adichie's novel provides a nuanced and humanized portrayal of the Biafran War, highlighting the devastating effects of conflict while also showcasing the enduring resilience and cultural identity in the face of adversity.

This essay examines the representation and significance of the Olokun myth in selected poems by Tanure Ojaide, Tony Afejuku, Okinba Launko, and J. P. Clark-Bekederemo. Focusing on Olokun as a central figure in Yoruba mythology, Benin mythology, and Ijaw mythology, the study explores how this deity—associated with the sea, wealth, and the subconscious—is reinterpreted in contemporary Nigerian poetry.

Adopting a qualitative textual analysis, the essay investigates how each poet appropriates the Olokun myth to engage with themes of identity, colonial memory, environmental consciousness, and socio-political realities. The findings reveal that the poets creatively rework the myth beyond its traditional framework, using it as a symbolic and ideological tool to critique historical disruptions, reflect on cultural continuity, and articulate modern African experiences.

The study concludes that the continued invocation of the Olokun myth demonstrates the enduring relevance of indigenous belief systems in contemporary literary expression. It highlights how mythopoesis serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity, enriching African poetry with layered meanings while reinforcing cultural identity in a postcolonial context.

The subject of homosexuality in Africa has generally gathered mixed sentiments. There is the general belief that homosexuality is a product of westernization and colonial impact, homosexuality is generally frowned upon in African countries like Nigeria. Homophobia which is the dislike or fear of any form of sexual orientation besides the heteronormative view ( male and female) is shown to be prevelent in the Nigerian society. Hence, this study will focus on the points of conflict between the heteronormative view and the homosexual view. It makes use of the qualitative research method to carry out the textual analysis of the novels as it helps understand the perception and view that both writers have towards homophobia. Akwaeke Emezi and Uzodinma Iweala demonstrate the artistic depiction of homophobia and it's impact on homosexuals in the Nigerian society. Several characters deal with their contrasting views and awareness throughout the novels. For instance, Vivek Oji suffers an identity crisis and eventual acceptance of his sexual orientation and Niru, despite opposition from family and religious leaders chooses to accept his sexuality. This research does not take sides for ar against homosexuality or homophobia. It however concludes that there is a divide between the older generation of traditional heteronormative African view and the younger generation's view on tolerance towards homosexuality

This research examined how face threatening acts (FTAs) are mitigated with politeness strategies and mitigation devices during postgraduate seminar presentations in the University of Benin. The data for this study were collected using field notes, and an audio recorder to capture the seminar presentations in five faculties. These faculties were randomly sampled from the fifteen faculties in the University, and they include Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Physical Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Management ciences, and Faculty of Engineering. From these five faculties, the following departments were selected: English and Literature, History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Banking and Finance, Economics, Marketing, Statistics, and Linguistics. Also, the data for the study are analysed using the Brown and Levinson Politeness Theory. Focusing on four types of politeness superstrategies and itigation devices, the study has found that regardless of the power-distance relationship between students and lecturers, lecturers tend to be cognisant of the face wants of the presenters as evidenced by the use of negative politeness and off record superstrategies, which both occur as the most used face threat mitigating strategies in the postgraduate seminar presentations.

Parliament of vultures and Femi Osofisan's Once Upon Four Robbers criticis the widespread moral decline and Political dishonesty that affect Nigerian Society, today. Both plays examine the intricate relationship between leaders and citizens. They explore the harmful effects of dishonest leadership and the roles individual inadvertently play in societal decline. By examining actions and motivations of the characters in these plays, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to moral decline and the potential for societal renewal. The primary data for this study comprises of Emeka Nwabueze's Parliament of Vultures and Femi Osofisan's Once Upon Four Robbers the plays are Suitable for data collection because they provide insight on the corrupting influence of power, the roles of individuals in supporting corrupt system and the need for a just and equitable society. This study adopts a qualitative analysis. The qualitative approach rich interpretation and analysis on both plays The process of textual analysis Involves a close examination of both plays to uncovers hidden meanings, and to deepen our understanding of the plays and their significance.

This study investigates the examination of patriarchy in the following texts: Shoneyin’s the Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives and Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus. The work helps to investigate the patriarchal control in the texts and the effects it has on the women in the texts. The roles the women had to play and the identities that patriarchy gives to them. The work also shows us the resistance and the strategies that women used to survive in this text

African countries during 18-19th centuries have been challenged by the problem of colonisation. During this period the need for heroes that can lead the African societies to freedom from the colonizers is the people's goal. Hence this essay draws a comparative analysis of different models of heroism portrayed by Ngugi wa Thiong'o to show and prove the standard model that actually leads people to liberation and freedom. This research uses the lens of postcolonial theory to reveal the standard model which Ngugi portrayed in his plays namely The Trial of Dedan kimathi and The Black Hermit. He argued that the standard model for a hero should be that of Kimathi who is selfless, fused, revolutionary and ready to sacrifice, not the alienated, tragic, selfish, and paralyzed model of heroism that Remi embodies. More also he showed us that heroism is not found in an individualistic effort (The Black Hermit) but found in a collective effort (The Trial of Dedan kimathi).

This study examined the themes of irony and inhumanity in Ikechukwu Asika's novel "Love of an Angel". Through a close reading of the text, this project revealed how the author employed irony to critique societal norms and power structures, highlighting the devastating consequences of cruelty and exploitation. The study analyzed the portrayal of suffering, oppression, and resilience in the novel, emphasizing the importance of empathy, education, and collective action in creating a more compassionate and equitable society. Methodologically, this project combined literary analysis with critical
theory, drawing on the works of scholars such as bell hooks and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak to inform its critique of power and oppression. The study engaged with the concept of irony, exploring its various forms and functions in the novel. Through a nuanced and contextualized analysis, this project demonstrated the ways in which "Love of an Angel" offered a powerful critique of societal injustices and a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and hope. The findings of this study highlighted the significance of "Love of an Angel" as a literary work that challenged readers to confront the harsh realities of suffering and oppression. Through its exploration of irony and inhumanity, the novel offered a powerful critique of societal norms and power structures, emphasizing the need for empathy, education, and collective action to create a more just and equitable world. This study contributed to ongoing conversations in literary studies, critical theory, and social justice, demonstrating the importance of literary works in shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it.