The Epistle as a Medium of Communication; an Analysis of Abubakar Gimba's Letters to My Children and Mariama Ba's so Long a Letter

General Introduction

1.0 Introduction

Communication is a very important activity of life. Humans and animals communicate in different ways and for different reasons. Language is the primary but complex form of communication by which human beings are distinguished from other living things. Humans use language to achieve premediated goals to defend themselves to initiate and sustain interaction with one another. Language is not only used to communicate but also to do things and this is supported by Chomsky’s standard theory 1965 where he says “There’s little reason to believe that the primary use of language is to modify behavior or thought.”

Literature is the most effective tool for social criticism as well as a pool of strategies for moral uprightness that promotes literacy and cultures necessary for human and national development. Writers from time immemorial have accepted not just the creative license but responsibility and chosen various forms to play an active role in redirecting communities where they have gone wrong.

1.1 Background Of The Study

This research work sets out to explore the works of two great feminist writers who in their artistic efforts employed a unique style of writing ‘the epistolary’ in order to convey their messages to their readers.