A Thematic Study Of Peter Abrahams' Novels

Abstract

This thesis, "A Thematic Study of Peter Abrahams' Novels", consits of the Introduction Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three and the Conclusion. The Introduction deals with who Abrahams is, and what influenced his writings", An assessment of the criticism already done on his works is made so as to justify the need for the study of Peter Abrahams , In this section, we define what method of analysis we are going to use in approaching Peter Abrahams' works. Chapter One examines the way Abrahams views apartheid in Wild Conquest and Mine Boy. In it we examine how Peter Abrahams does not see apartheid as having its basis in th8 economic system in South Africa.. He sees it only in terms of racial differences His correct belief is that racism stands in the way of human relationships.. This leads to the false conclusion that its removal automatically Leads to equality among the different racial groups. Abrahams disregards the fact that racism is used.by capitalism as a justification for exploiting the black section of the South African society. Therefore, racial integration.:. as suggested by Abraham's cannot be a solution if the economic system does not change Chapter Two deals with the ways Abrahams depicts an attempt to fight against colonialism in A Wreath for Udomo and A Night of Their Own.Abrahams makes the mistake of seeing it as a fight of a few black people's participation in colonialism" He ignores the majority of the people's participation in this struggle., By virtue of their class position the interests of the middle class are inimical to those of the majority of the people. Since they are inculcated with this elitist mentality the type of independence these Udomos fight for does not necessarily improve the condition of the majority of the people. Chapter Three deals with Abrahams' depiction of an attempt to change the power structure in an independent black country that suf'f'ers foreign domination in This Island Now. In his attempt to create a 'plausible power structure that caters for the majority of the people, Abr-ahams does not see the capitalism he advocated for the Island as inherently exploitative: therefore, in prescribing it as a solution to the island's problems. he ends up contradicting himself In the Conclusion, we give a summary of how Abrahams consistently fails to suggest positive solutions to the problems of imperialism because of his inability 'to see his own and his characters' class positions, and what these stand for. He also ignores the majority of the people who have the potential for positive innovations. In this section, we look into the achievements and failures of Abrahams in handling the issues he deals with in his works. We also suggest areas of further work on Abrahams