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This book investigates themes of exile and oppression in Southern Africa across Bessie Head's novels and short fiction.
An exile herself, arriving in Botswana as a South African refugee, Bessie Head's fiction serves as an important example of African exile literature. This book argues that Head's characters are driven to exile as a result of their socio- political ambivalence while still in South Africa, and that this sense of discomfort follows them to their new lives. Investigating themes of trauma and identity politics across colonial and post- colonial contexts, this book also addresses the important theme of black- on- black prejudice and hostility which is often overlooked in studies of Head's work.
Covering Head's shorter fiction as well as her major novels When Rain Clouds Gather (1969), Maru (1971), A Question of Power (1973), Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind (1981), and A Bewitched Crossroads: An African Saga (1984), this book will be of interest to researchers of African literature and postcolonial history.
List of contents
Chapter 1: The Literature of the Oppressed Chapter 2: Exile, Post-coloniality, Trauma: Theories and Perspectives Chapter 3: The Ordeals of Crossing: From Home to Exile Chapter 4: The Black-on-black Prejudice Chapter 5: Black Power and Trauma in a Shut-in World Chapter 6: History through Fiction or Fiction through History? Chapter 7: Patriarchy and Power: Women on the Edge of the Cliff Chapter 8: Conclusion: Towards the Unification of Thematic Trajectories
Summary
This book investigates themes of exile and oppression in Southern Africa across Bessie Head’s fiction, including When Rain Clouds Gather, (1969) Maru, (1971) and A Question of Power, (1973), this book will be of interest to researchers of African literature and post-colonial history.
