This is what is being said or conveyed in literary work. Content is what is said or written about
in the book, an article, a programmed, a speech etc.
Content literary work includes:-
Themes
Messages
Conflicts
Prologue and
Crisis
THEME
Is the subject or main idea in a talk, piece of writing or work of art It is an abstract concept that is made concrete through its representation in person, action, image in the work of art. It is the basic or general idea expressed in the book.
The following are the main themes in African literature (common themes in African Literature)
African traditions
Betrayal
Position of women
Corruption
Love
Poverty
Protest
Self-awareness (Consciousness)
Unemployment
Classes
Others are:-
Racism
Violence
Oppression
Unity
Torture
Colonialism
MESSAGE
is a main ides that the author wants the readers to understand from what they read? It is actually something that the artist wants the readers to do after reading the work. So we conclude that message is a kind of an appeal that tells readers what action to take after reading the work
E.g.:- We should struggle for our development
- We should fight against corruption for the betterment of our society.
- People should struggle and stand for their rights
LESSON
A lesson is something especially moral that we learn from a literary work. Lessons are deduces from what befall characters in the work. So a literary work is hardly read without a lesson being learnt
Eg:- In “A man of the people” we may leer that living corrupt life like that of chief Nanga has a bad ending
CONFLICTS
Is the misunderstand between two parts or two people or an individual. There may be conflict between characters and their environment or circumstances or a character may be at war with himself, feeling an internal struggle between conflicting ideas, thoughts or feelings.
Types of conflicts
Social conflict e.g – Family conflict
Political conflict e.g – ruling party Vs opposing party
Economic conflict e.g – the reach against the poor.
Personal conflict e.g – internal feelings, ideas, thoughts etc
Philosophical conflict e.g idea Vs idea, feelings Vs feelings.
CRISIS
Time of great danger difficultly or confusion when problems must be solved or important decisions must be made. E.g:- A political / financial/ economic crisis
PROLOGUE
A speech, etc. at the beginning of a play, book or film/ movie that introduce it.
Functions of literature
1 Entertain
2 Educate
3 Bring sense of awareness to people about issues.
4 Bring up skill of language (writing, reading, and speaking)
5 Maintain goods traditional values
6 Instil revolutionary attitudes in peoples’ minds.
7 To criticize society wrong doings
8 To promote skills like participation (acting)
9 To promotes cultural identity
10 Promotes the growth of a language
11 Promotes critical thinking & problem solving skills
12 To console people about problems affecting their society
13 It makes people share various aspects of life.
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