1.1 Introduction
The practice of gayness expresses itself either in homosexuality or lesbianism. However, the types of gay are another matter entirely because half the time the word "gay" is used to refer to only male homosexuals with no reference to lesbians. The types of gay are often identified by their body types and mannerisms. The concept of homosexuality in African literature is not altogether new, but the issue has recently become a topical one across the countries of the world and is gradually asserting itself in the literary terrain; therefore it deserves being explored. Hitherto, African writers in general and Nigerian writers in particular shy away from the subject of homosexuality which is not only sensitive but equally controversial. They explore other themes but pay little or no attention to gayness.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In the 1960s and afterwards, a body of African works explore gayness in different degrees. Most African writers at that time depicted gayness usually in the negative light, as a taboo, moral depravity, anomaly, unAfrican and a western construct. The colonial masters and a host of other foreigners were portrayed as having initiated, practised and promoted same-sex relationships. Works like Kofi Awoonor‘s This Earth, My Brother, Yambo Ouologuem‘s Bound to Violence, Wole Soyinka‘s The Interpreters, Mariama Ba‘s Scarlet Song, Ayi Kwei Armah‘s Two Thousand Seasons and Ama Ata Aidoo‘s Our Sister Killjoy are typical examples of such portrayals.
This work will give attention to the concept/meaning of gayness, origin, types and attitudes exhibited towards gayness, and of course the portrayal of gayness in African literature. It will equally investigate the manner in which the selected novels, Wole Soyinka‘s The Interpreters and Jude Dibia‘s Walking with Shadows represent and explore gayness using the psychoanalytical literary approach which is very appropriate for analyzing representations of this kind. Psychoanalysis is employed in the analysis of both texts in order to understand the workings of the minds of the gay characters, the origin of their sexuality and also the basis for their mode of representation.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Homosexuality in Jude Dibia Walking with Shadow and Wole Soyinka the Interpreter.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals that attention has been given to various themes and concepts in African Literature but next to nothing has been done in the body of knowledge on how gay/gayness is represented in African literature; hence the gap in scholarship which this study is out to fill. In recent times gayness has received quite a lot of discourse and attention across the world. It is needful therefore to explore its representation, portrayal or depiction in the literary world. This research aims at bringing to the fore; the manner in which African authors view gayness by the way it is represented in Jude Dibia‘s Walking with Shadows and Wole Soyinka‘s The Interpreters.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Homosexuality in Jude Dibia Walking with Shadow and Wole Soyinka the Interpreter. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the Homosexuality in Jude Dibia‘s Walking with Shadows
- To examine the relationship between Jude Dibia Walking with Shadow and Wole Soyinka the Interpreter
- To comparatively analyze the Selected Texts in Jude Dibia Walking with Shadow and Wole Soyinka the Interpreter
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Homosexuality in Jude Dibia Walking with Shadow and Wole Soyinka the Interpreter.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Methodology
Data used in this work is derived primary from secondary sources. The methodology therefore, is basically documentary in nature. This involves learning new facts and principles through the study of documents and records. The documents and records include journals, textbooks, newspapers, magazines, official publications etc. By putting together logically evidence derived from documents and records. Conclusion which either established facts hitherto unknown or sound generalization can be obtained.
