Literary strategies in Tony Mochama’s prose

Abstract

This study set out to examine the literary strategies in Mochama’s prose and the resultant social, economic and political concerns revealed. The study explores the strategies of language, plot, setting, narration and characterization that Mochama employs to enhance the communicative aspect in his works. I argue that the various literary strategies Mochama employs allow him to concretize his views about the contemporary Kenyan society. Literary language in essence is defamiliarized hence allowing the reader to rethink and re-see the ideas the writer talks about in new light. Literary language is foregrounded and therefore draws attention to itself hence it is emphasized. This project paper utilized two theories: Russian Formalism and Achille Mbembe and Bill Ashcroft’s strands of Postcolonial theory. The study entailed a close textual analysis of Mochama’s prose works: The Road to Eldoret and Other Stories, Princess Adhis and the Naija Coca Broda, Meet the Omtitas and Nairobi: a Night Guide through the City-in-the-Sun as well as relevant secondary texts which allowed me to concretize the arguments about literary strategies. This study demonstrates that Mochama is able to communicate to the readers through the use of literary language. He manipulates language resources through both transgressions against and conformity to conventions to draw attention of the reader to the dystopia prevalent in the contemporary Kenyan society. At the same time he leaves room for hope in the degenerated society.