LITERARY PERSONALITY: RICHARD WRIGHT

HEY! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT RICHARD WRIGHT?

1. His full name is Richard Nathaniel Wright
2. He was born on 14th September, 1908

3. He died on 28th November, 1960
4. He was an African American author
5. He wrote mostly on Racism and Class discrimination
6. His place of birth is Natchez Mississippi
7. His most popular work is a collection of short stories titled Uncle Tom's Children
8. His novel Black Boy is an Autobiography. It tells about Richard's life from 1912-1936
9. He wrote and published his first story at age 15, "The Voodoo of Hell's Half Acre."
10. He was a communist
11. The FBI had him under surveillance from 1943
12. Wright move to France in 1946
13. In 1953, Wright traveled to the Gold Coast (now Ghana)
14. He contracted amoebic dysentery during the time he spent in the Gold Coast in 1957 and became very ill on June 26, 1959
15. He was interested in cultural studies, he wrote a book on the Indonesian cultures during his brief stay in Indonesia
16. He revolted against America and so much hated America. Even when he had financial problems, he refused to join in the programs done on the Canadian radio because he suspected American control
17. Wright's very last public appearance as a healthy man was on the 8th of November, 1960 in a polemical lecture, "The Situation of the Black Artist and Intellectual in the United States."
18. He died at age 52 in Paris of a heart attack
19. His daughter Julia Wright continues to claim that Richard (her father) was murdered
20. He wrote over 4000 poems in the last days of his life
21. His first wife is Dhimah Rose Meidman and the marriage lasted a year. He married Ellen Poplar in 1941
22. He had two daughters - Rachel (1949) and Julia (1942)
23. His wife Ellen died at age 92 in 2004
24. His best selling work remains Black Boy
25. His works have won many awards.

LITERARY GIST

TOUGH COMPETITION FOR "BROOKLYN EAGLE LITERARY PRIZE" 2016

       The Brooklyn Eagle literary prize honors works of fiction and nonfiction written "by authors who have lived in Brooklyn, portrayed the borough in their work or addressed themes relevant to its life and culture," according to Brooklyn Public Library as the shortlist was announced.

This literary prize was awarded to Atticus Lish for "Preparation for the Next Life" in the fiction category and "The Edge Becomes the Center: An Oral History of Gentrification in the 21st Century" by D.W Gibson, in non-fiction category.

The nominations for the Award were submitted earlier this year by local bookstores and libraries in Brooklyn, USA and then the shortlist was prepared during the summer. A selected panel of authors and critics will have to critically examine and review the shortlisted books.

The judges will be unveiled at a reading by shortlisted authors held on 13th September, 2016 at Franklin Park, located 618 St. Johns Place.

The winners will be announced on 21st October, 2016 at the BROOKLYN CLASSIC which is the Brooklyn Eagles' fundraising event. The winning fiction and nonfiction author will be awarded with $2,500.

These are the books both in the categories of  fiction and non-fiction that have been shortlisted for the prize:

Shortlist for the fiction category:

1. "Don’t Let My Baby Do Rodeo" by Boris Fishman

2. "Bright Lines" by Tanwi Nandini Islam

3. "Ways to Disappear" by Idra Novey

Shortlist for the non-fiction category:

1. "Lockdown on Rikers: Shocking Stories of Abuse and Injustice at New York's Notorious Jail" by Mary E. Buser

2. "Kill ’Em and Leave" by James McBride

3. "Sunny’s Nights: Lost and Found at a Bar on the Edge of the World" by Tim Sultan.

A BEAUTIFUL LETTER FROM MY DAD TO ME

I received this letter in 1999 from my Dad who was in Germany at that time and my Mum has been keeping this letter for a time when I would be old enough to reply.

"Hi, my little Princess
Hope you're fine each day
I trust the care of Mum for you
She will surely satisfy you
But whatsoever is left undone
Should be kept for Dad's return
Or sent to him by mail or phone.

ADA IS A LITTLE PRINCESS
PRETTY AS THE MUM AND DAD
A LITTLE BEAUTY HERE AND THERE
MAKING HER PRETTIER THAN THE PRETTIEST
YOUR LITTLE CRY AT DEAD OF NIGHT
CALLING US FOR FOOD OR PLAY
SEEMED A LITTLE TROUBLE TO BEAR
BUT HOW I LONG TO SHARE FROM IT AGAIN
O, LITTLE PRINCESS
EXCUSE MY ABSENCE AT BREAKFAST
LUNCH AND DINNER FOR NOW
I WILL BE WITH YOU SOONER OF LATER
IT IS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL OF US I TOIL"

From: Dad
To: His little Princess

I replied this letter today in 2016. I am old enough now to reply.

"Hi, my lovely Dad
I know you are doing great
I know you are happier with each passing day
As you are doing whatsoever was left undone
Now you have returned
You are nearby now and there's no need for mail or phone

MY DAD IS THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD
HIS LOVE IS WIDE AND HIS SMILE IS SO BROAD
SO MANY YEARS HAVE GONE BY
AND I NO MORE CRY AT THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
NO MORE FUNNY TROUBLES TO BEAR
BUT HOW I LONG FOR THOSE TIMES AGAIN
YOU ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT BREAKFAST
LUNCH AND DINNER
AND I NOW REALIZE THAT YOU ALWAYS TREATED US RIGHT
I BELIEVE THAT SOMEDAY I WOULD HELP YOU TOO
FOR ALL THE TOIL YOU PASSED THROUGH FOR US"

From: Ada
To: Her great Dad

THE ORIGIN OF MEDIEVAL DRAMA

HOW DID IT BEGIN?

    The origin of medieval drama can be traced to man's search for a father-like figure. Drama started by imitation of the real life and when man discovered religion, he incorporated ritual into it. Soon, man began to imitate the ritual ceremony and drama developed. Some scholars argue that drama started when man sought for a means to create aesthetics through the beauty and art in what is common around us, and through our every day lives man was able to create drama.

     Medieval drama originated from religious festivals and colorful presentations which were part of the English cultural life in the medieval era. The advent of Christianity in the British isles brought about changes in the lives of the British. Their traditional festivals were condemned as pagan and were immediately replaced by Christian festivals. The Christian festivals were a means through which Bible doctrines could be taught to the people. The Mystery plays and miracle plays were extracted from the Bible and based on church doctrines; they were acted out during the festivals.

    The Catholic mass is considered to be the first Christian drama acted. Medieval drama originated from Church doctrines and festivals.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

     This is an aspect of literature which has not been sufficiently looked into. In this branch of literary production, books are published largely with children's interests and gains in mind. The mode of writing children's literature is different from that of the adult literature. Children's literature focuses on children and portrays children in their innocence and in a view that makes them respond with imagination and pleasure. The writer of children's literature must bear in mind that the psychology of children is different from that of the adults and that their understanding of words and perceptions of situations is different from those of the adults. The aim of most children's literature is to teach morals and entertain the children.
     A literature designed for children must draw its settings, actions and events from the things the child is familiar with, like using the house, the school, the church, etc. Values must be inculcated in the child through the literature and the literature must arouse the child's creativity and imagination. Children books must have pictures to aid understanding.

STYLE OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

1. SIMPLE LANGUAGE: Simple words and sentences should be used to aid understanding.
2. PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION: Pictures of the actions and events in the book capture the child's attention.
3. It must teach morals.
4. PLOT STRUCTURE: The linear plot should be used. use of complex plot structure would confuse the child.
5. Familiar characters, settings, events, actions and language should be used.
6. It must be entertaining to arrest the children's attention.

AFRICAN LITERATURE

WHAT MAKES A LITERARY WORK AFRICAN?

        African literature is an old branch of literature. Many scholars have presented their views on African literature but I abide with those who believe that Africa has always had literature though it was in the oral form. With the emergence of modernism and the need to present literature that is wide spread, African literature is now seen in the written form. However, there has been many arguments on 'how to identify African literature.' Simply writing about Africa doesn't make a literary work an African text.

What makes a text to be called 'African'?

1. The author must be of African descent by birth or naturalization

2. The experiences in the text must be the experiences of Africans

3. African literature is "literature written by an African, for an African audience, in an African language and it communicates the African experiences."

     In an African language means there should be use of local color. The characters' mode of speech and the actions should reflect African sensibility.

     When looking at the African prose, the elements to look out for are: 

 1. Witchcraft and belief in supernatural beings/deities

 2. Proverbs - "proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten"

 3. Local color

 4. Magic

 5. Mysticism

 6. colonialism

 7. Women degradation

 8. Love, marriage and child birth

 9. Physical prowess as economic advantage, etc. 

      The above elements highlight the 'Africanness' of a literary work.

SHORT STORY ANALYSIS

"LEAVING" by M.G. Vassangi

      The story is a satire. It criticizes an East African society where nepotism is at its best. The story explores social injustice in a society where having a godfather is the only way to gain benefits and possess rights. Aloo, a young intelligent boy gets a scholarship to study at the California Institute of Technology but his mother is unwilling to let him go because she fears that she would lose her son to the 'Western society and its mannerisms' such as drugs, cultism, etc.The peak of her fears is the thought of her son marrying a White woman.
   The story also reveals the pitiable plight of widows who are not among the wealthy in the society. They are neglected and insulted. Aloo's mother is really lonely because her children are gradually leaving home and moving away from her. This is also one of the reasons she is reluctant to release Aloo for overseas studies.
    However, despite the odds, Aloo's dreams of schooling abroad are fulfilled.

POINT OF VIEW
First person point of view.

DICTION/LANGUAGE
There is a tone of lament and the author uses words that spark the imagery of uncertainty, fear of the unknown, ignorance, determination, sympathy and hope

PLOT STRUCTURE
The plot is the linear plot structure

SETTINGS
The era is the post colonial era in Eastern Africa. The geographical locations are Upanga and London.

CHARACTERIZATION
Aloo is the main character and the narrator of the story.

FOOD: COOKING FRIED RICE IN MY STYLE

COOKING FRIED RICE MY WAY

      Maybe you are a great cook reading this and you know all about the kitchen and recipes, you know how to cook and fry rice in different ways. Anyway, let's have fun as a family as I share my own recipe for fried rice with you.
      First, in my home the 'most exalted' rule for cooking outlined by my "nutrition and health conscious" father is : "DO NOT FRY OR USE CANNED FOODS". Therefore, frying is banned and we are only allowed to fry rice because of the salad which my father loves due to its nutritional content.
       One of my bad habits is my excessive love for fried food but I just had to give it up when frying was unconditionally banned in the house. Therefore, in my cooking of fried rice, I am nutrition and health conscious. Here are the steps to preparing fried rice my own way.

STEP 1: Boil the rice till it is soft with curry powder, ginger powder, garlic powder, pepper, maggi, onions, salt and meat. (Do not add oil)
STEP 2: When the rice is soft (to your taste), get another pot and pour in a little amount of oil, sliced cabbage, carrot, onions, green beans,sliced kidney and curry powder.
STEP 3: Stir for about 20 seconds and then add the rice to the mixture and keep turning it every 10 seconds
STEP 4: Stir until the color changes to a deeper shade of green.
STEP 5: Serve with salad.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOURS???

literary gist

The Comma Queen brings life to Victoria Literary Festival 2016

"This year's Victoria Literary Festival is all about books and grammar."

The organizers have invited the Comma Queen to this year's Victoria Literary Festival.  

The comma Queen is MARY NORRIS

LITERARY PERSONALITY: BINYAVANGA WAINAINA

THE WRITER: BINYAVANGA WAINAINA

1. His full name is Kenneth Binyavanga Wainaina
2. He was born on 18th January, 1971
3. He is a Kenyan
4. His place of birth is Nakuru in Rift Valley Province, Kenya
5. He is a famous author, and do you know that he is also a journalist? He is the founding editor-in-chief of "Kwani?"
6. He won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2002 for his short story "Discovering Home"
7. He studied Commerce in the University of Transkei, South Africa
8. His work that shot him to fame is his memoir titled One Day I Will Write About This Place (published 2011)
9. His essay "How to Write About Africa " attracted the world's attention in 2005
10. He is another great cook- He is an expert on both ancient traditional and modern African dishes.
11. He is currently recovering from a stroke which affected his speech
12. He is known for his outrageous hairstyles

13. On 1st June, 2016, a racist taxi driver in Berlin attacked him before a cheering crowd
and yes...
14. He is a proud homosexual

ANOTHER ORIGIN OF DRAMA: EGYPTIAN ORIGIN

THE ABYDOS PASSION PLAY - HOW DRAMA BEGAN

       Very many years ago in Egypt, precisely around 2000 BC, the first drama was acted. Legend has it that Osiris a wise Egyptian king and great warrior was brutally murdered by his brother named Seth and the Queen of Ethiopia along with about 72 others who aided the plot. It was said that he was deceived into lying in a coffin and this coffin was immediately locked by his brother with lead and thrown into the Nile. After he died,  he was cut into many pieces and scattered. His wife Isis was angry and sorrowful and along with her son Horus vowed to avenge the death of her husband.  Isis gathered up the pieces of her husband's body, proclaimed that he had become a god and established a cult in his honor.
       Every year after that, the worshipers acted the death of Osiris which was titled, "THE ABYDOS PASSION PLAY". The drama ended with the resurrection of Osiris. It is said that in the performance of the death of Osiris often led to many deaths but the resurrection of the god Osiris, worshipers were assured that they too would resurrect.

ORIGIN OF DRAMA: GREEK ORIGIN

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

        It started like any other day in Athens in the 6th century BC but that day was special. It was the season of the festival in honour of the god Dionysus. All the people of Greece who had come from near and far to worship the god of fertility and wine gathered in the amphitheatre which was on the south of the tallest hill in the capital of Greece, Athens.
         The people shouted with glee as the a chorus of fifty men were performing the dithyramb. The people were rejoicing and some were worshiping in chants and songs praising Dionysus. Suddenly, one of the men performing the chorus jumped unto the altar stone which they surrounded and began to imitate the god Dionysus. He mimiced the god by dancing, singing, chanting and pretending to be accepting the praises. The crowd roared with excitement because this act had never been performed before but had captured the hearts of the other worshippers. The name of the  man who began to imitate the god is 'Thespis.' Thespis became the first actor, his performance was the first drama and the other worshippers became the first audience to watch a drama.

POEM: FOREVER GONE BY ADA RUCHI

FOREVER GONE by Ada RuChi

Someday I would go when I am very old

And you would see me no more

You would remember my laughter

My many smiles would flash before your face

You would hear my voice echoing through your heart

You would scream my name 

But I would not answer

You would look at my pictures

And memories would make you shiver 

You would perceive my scent but when you turn around

I won't be there

You would see those places where we usually visited

You would remember how I used to hold you there

You would cry for many days

You would wish you had held me more often

You would wish you had hugged me more dearly

And you would wish you had always told me the truth

You would remember the days when we worked and walked

You would wish you had the wheels of time in your hands

You would hope to meet me someday somewhere

You would write letters to me but I won't reply

You would call my phone but I won't answer

You would get angry and feel guilty

And then you would realize the truth

What is this truth?

That I am no more there for you

That I have traveled to a place you have never been to

That I am not so close though I lie so close

The truth is that "I am forever gone"

You would pray to see me in the best place beyond the sky 

And I would be smiling from where I am

Thinking about you and the good times we spent together.

EVERY TIME YOU MEET YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES, REMEMBER THIS POEM!!! 

THE NOVEL

 THE NOVEL

The novel is a lengthy work of prose fiction. Today we are examining the different types of novel.

1.       The picaresque novel:  This novel originated in Spain in the 16^th century. The word “picaresque” is from the Spanish word “picaresca” which is from “picaro” which means “rogue”. The picaresque novel explores the adventures of a hero or heroine who is roguish  and usually of a low social class who succeeds due to his or her intelligence in a corrupt world.  The novel is usually satirical and is a comedy.

2.       The magical realism:  This novel is usually common in Latin American literature. This novel is also called “marvelous realism.”  This type of literature reflects unreal supernatural actions and depicts magical experiences in a real world. Strange occurrences take place in the novel that are above human and natural influences.

3.       The short story: This is a work of prose fiction which is not lengthy like the novel. It originates from the oral tradition of story telling. Most short stories teach morals and do not prolong action. Actions and events are short and the plot is not usually complex. The story usually starts close to the climax and ends abruptly. The resolution phase follows immediately after the climax and is short.

4.       The political novel:  This novel depicts political events and criticizes political events in a society which might be fictitious or non fictitious. This novel is usually satirical and seeks to correct political misconceptions and ills in the society.

5.       The novelette: This is also called “novella.”  It is a work of prose fiction that is not as short as the ‘short story’ and not as long as the ‘novel.’ It is usually a comedy, romantic and trivial.

6.       The bildungsroman novel:  This is a ‘coming-of-age’ novel. This novel portrays the psychological, physical and moral growth of the protagonist. A gradual change in character is the main point that distinguishes the novel.  

  

7.       The psychological novel: This type of novel places much emphasis on “interior characterization, motives, circumstances, and internal action which springs from and develops external action.”

8.       The sociological novel: It is also known as the ‘Social protest novel.’ In this novel, a social issue is addressed and criticized. It is usually created as a means for propaganda. 

9.       The epistolary novel: This novel is usually written in “letter form.” It usually seems real and might compel a reader into believing that it is non-fictitious. Other forms of the epistolary novels are diary entries, newspapers, e-mails, blogs,etc.

10.   The gothic novel: This novel mixes death, romance and horror to create a story.  It creates terror and fear in the readers’ mind. It was produced in England in the 18^th century first. The first gothic novel is The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.

11.   The historical novel:  This type of novel has its geographical setting and time setting in the past. The most important thing about this novel is that it is set in the past and portrays the events and actions that took place at that period.

12.   The science fiction novel: This is the type of prose fiction which portrays imaginations and ideologies involving science and technology like time travel, space travel, universes, life in other planets, and science innovations, etc. It also depicts fantasy, and supernatural.

13.   Flash fiction: A very brief story. It is much shorter than the “short story.” It is usually a story of 1000 or fewer words. It is also called “micro fiction or postcard fiction.”

14.   Legal fiction:  According to Wikipedia, it is a novel which allows the “Court to ignore a fact that would prevent it from exercising its jurisdictions by simply assuming that the fact is different.”

15.   Proletarian novel:  This is a revolutionary type of novel which is created by the communist party usually. It depicts the lives of the grass root, manual working class individuals in a society. It is the novel written by the proletariats, about the proletariats and for the proletariats.

STORY SERIES

A SHATTERED LIFE-1 by Ada RuChi 

 continued...

      Five months after his mother's burial, he came home and found his brothers arguing hotly. After a while, he was told that they were arguing on what to do with their mother's properties. He was shocked and pleaded that the mother's properties should not be a cause of division in the family but his brothers ignored him and left the house swearing never to return except the father leaves the house and gives the money their mother had to them.
      His father brought home a woman one rainy evening and introduced her to Emmanuel as his "fiancee." Emmanuel had never been so angry in his life, he hated the woman instantly and swore to make life uncomfortable for her. For a week, he and his father said nothing to each other and the woman quickly occupied every space in the house. She even demanded that Emmanuel should refer to her as mother which he rejected vehemently. He was unhappy, frustrated and hurt but suddenly his life had to adjust to the beginning of a NIGHTMARE. 
     The woman began to abuse him physically and sexually. At nights when his father was out, he had to clean up, eat and lie with her in bed. The woman starved him and when he refused to have sex with her, she burnt his arm with a gas cooker. He began to conceive ways to commit suicide, he tried to run away but had no where to run to so he always came back. He was frightened and even had to quit school after he fell from a three storey building when the woman tried to make him hold her hand. Emmanuel was hospitalized and he confided in me, he pleaded with me to tell the doctor to kill him which will save him from the embarrassment and pain he was passing through. I held his hand and pleaded with him to live and he finally agreed to give life another 'shot.'
       After he was discharged from the hospital, he was sent to live with his brother in another part of Calabar. He changed his school and started to build his shattered life slowly. He joined a Basket ball team and started attending church services regularly. He met new friends who had heard his story in bits from people and they encouraged him to go for professional therapy and start a new and happy life. Again all his hopes were dashed as his brother took him back to stay with the woman in their father's house.
     The day he moved in to stay with the woman started with a fight and she stabbed him on his leg with a knife. He was immediately rushed to a Chemist store where the wound was cleaned and covered. He lay outside that night and thought about the days before his mother's death and how everyday gets tougher for him after her death. He slept off with tears running down his cheeks and his mother's rosary tightly pressed to his chest.
     When I asked him to remain in his father's house after the father and the woman ended their relationship,he replied, "I have had enough for one year. I would be going back to Akwa Ibom State for assistance and I want to be close to where my mother lies."
      The last time we spoke, Emmanuel told me that he believes that someday he would recover from his emotional wounds. He believes that someday, somebody would give him the love his mother gave him and that someday, he would see his mother again. He believes that one day, those that tortured him would feel the pain that he has felt and would cry more than he ever cried. He believes that his shattered life would someday be repackaged in a better and brighter way and that he would find happiness and joy. He believes that his family would one day be united and the troubles would end.
     I cried bitterly as he told me this story and I believe also that someday, he would be really happy and would feel the love his mother had for him again. I believe that someday his emotional trauma would end, his wounds would heal and he would live a better life in a better world.

STORY SERIES

A SHATTERED LIFE-1 by Ada RuChi

     Emmanuel Eno Ekok was born on the 29th of December, 1997 in Calabar. He is the fifth boy in the family. He grew up in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. He is the son of Captain Frank Ekok and Late (Mrs.) Kate Ekok. He is slim, light skinned and very funny. He is lively, very handsome and very brilliant.
     The 1st of January, 2015 has become very memorable to him, not because it was the beginning of a new year  but because he lost his mother at 10:38am. 
     The 31st of December 2014 was like the end of every other year for him and he traveled to his village in Akwa Ibom State leaving his mother and four brothers in Calabar. His father had traveled to Kaduna a week earlier and he looked forward to a new happy year. His mother was hale and sound when he left for the village so the news of her death shocked him.
      It was noon when he returned to Calabar and met his brothers and a host of friends and relations mourning. He looked on in shock and disbelief as his mother's body was put in an ambulance. He could only whisper "mother! mother!!" He wished he had said "goodbye," he wept more because he was unable to tell her "Thank you" and "I love you mother." He locked himself in their kitchen and hugged her photograph through out the night. His brothers tried severally to break the door and pull him out but it was not possible. He had never felt a pain so strong, he had never lost a person so dear. His mother was his personal friend, his confident, his burden bearer and his care-taker.
      The next morning, on the 2nd of January, 2015, his brothers traveled back to Rivers State and he was left alone to explain to the visitors and friends what he heard was the cause of his mother's death. With each visitor's coming, he re-counted the story of her death and the wound in his heart widened, he felt the pain of her death more when it was evening and he was left alone. He wept incessantly for 6 hours and pleaded with death to bring his mother back to him. He screamed and asked severally "Can't I see her again, just this once, just once and I will be satisfied!" He rolled on the floor, slapped his head and tore his shirt. He folded his body on the floor and thought of the days before her death. He thought of her voice calling him, he missed her scent, her presence and her hugs. He held her rosary close to his chest and slept.
      His father came back home a month after his mother's death and was shocked to see his son looking more dead than alive. He immediately sent Emmanuel to his cousins in Akwa Ibom State but he grew worse. He became withdrawn, refused to eat, sleep, or bath. He stared into space without blinking for almost a week before his aunt had to rush him to the hospital where he was given a sedative and some anti depressants.
     At the end of the March, he traveled back to Calabar to join in the arrangements for his mother's burial. His grief lessened when his mother's sister told him that his mother had appeared to her and sent her to tell him to be strong for her as her favorite child. The mass for her funeral held on Saturday 13th March at St. Clement Catholic Church, Airport Road, Calabar. As he approached her coffin, hot tears ran down his cheeks and he said "Mother, I miss you! I love you! Thank you for everything you ever did for me! Pray for me and guide my spirit!" He immediately entered the ambulance heading to his village with his mother's corpse. He could not glance back to look at her face, he could not yet believe that she was dead.
    During his mother's burial, he kept looking at her coffin praying that she would rise up and all would be a joke. As her body was lowered into the grave, tears ran down his cheeks and he walked away, he tried to detach himself from reality but he realized that his dear mother will forever be beneath the soil and his life would have to go on never the same. His cousins held him trying to console him but he could never be consoled.

TO BE CONTINUED...

CREATING A NEW WORLD WITH BOOKS

  CREATING A NEW WORLD WITH BOOKS
       

        Writing in this present times is not valued as much as it was in the medieval periods. Literary creativity is sinking in a world where fashion, selfies, music and parties are sailing with pride. Humans prefer the quick way to entertainment which does not stimulate the brain to think, they enjoy the couch entertainment where brainstorming and creativity is least appreciated.
       The reading culture is fast fading and the need for creativity is almost non-existent. Readers are Leaders and Writers are 'creators' was previously preached but not anymore. Our preachers are also caught the sins of 'fashion,selfies,music and parties.' In our present era, even sign boards are not read except they have catchy photos and pretty models who can arrest the attention of the people. This is not the right way ofcourse! Why should our society become so terribly uneducated and redundant because of the departure from the reading culture? How many students really read to know and not to pass examinations? Even lecturers and teachers have been caught in the web of 'reading to teach and not to know'. No wonder many teachers avoid going to classes and when they teach, the end up confused or thrown off balance by simple questions asked by few creative students who readers.
      Many elders encourage the younger generation to imbibe the reading culture but fail to be examples as they hardly open newspapers or magazines. Where are the Writers of this generation? The books we see in the markets contain little and are meaningless repetitions of the past books. Where are the Readers? The library shelves are covered in dust and the chairs moan from having few users.
     Let us rise together and create A NEW WORLD WHERE BOOKS LEAD AND READERS ARE LEADERS! Is that too difficult to achieve?

INSPIRATION

ADVICE

      When people misplace their priorities, they seek for where to place their blames which is very unfortunate. To fail to plan is to plan to fail and to strike when the iron is hot is to solve your problems when it is early. Fate can change when it is early and grief can only come after uncontrolled fun. It is better to work in the day because when it is night good would be out of sight and even might would fail. Worse, when it is too late no matter how tight you hold unto destiny, you would slip. There are many routes to failure and only one way to success. The one way to success is GOD!

PHOTO SPEAKS

Pictures speak for themselves!!! Happy Saturday to all my readers!!!

THE SETTING SUN

POETRY: NIGERIA

NIGERIA by Ada RuChi

Nigeria, oh Naija!!!

The land of unending power cuts

The land where NEPA is more popular than celebrities

The land of bad federal roads

The land of "ajekpako" and "ajebutter"

The land of "lekpa" and "orobo"

The land of flooding in the desert areas

The land where beaches become holy grounds

The land where joy is in the names of food

The land where pidgin is our second language

The land where a man can get rich in three months through music

The land of delicacies and home made drinks

The land where streets are named after rich men

The land we pop water shouting "pop champagne!"

The land where lightening is a novice when ASUU strikes

The land of diverse dances and colouful attires

The land where powder is used to celebrate and kolanut is used to welcome guests

The land where "Aba" means business and "Warri" means money

The land where boys drink Alomo with yoghurt

The land where girls wear fake hips and fake hair and claim that they are "real"

The land where Yoruba boys are called cheats and Igbo boys are called rich

The land of respect for elders

Our lovely, crazy and yet wonderful Naija!!!

I LOVE NIGERIA

FOOD: CORN AND PEAR

  CORN AND PEAR : OKA NA UBE

   Corn and Pear is another popular street food. Both can either be roasted or boiled *I like them boiled* and are usually prepared at corners of the road. Unlike 'suya' which is more popular in the night, Corn and Pear are usually prepared in the day. It is a delicacy every human (especially Nigerians) should taste, and if you have never sat by the road to have a fast lunch of Corn and Pear (oka na ube) gini ka i na-eche?

DEVELOPING CHARACTERS IN A LITERARY WORK

DEVELOPING CHARACTERS IN A LITERARY WORK

    

       To catch the attention of the reader, well developed characters should be created. When characters in a literary work are properly constructed, the reader will begin to sympathize and identify with the characters. If the characters in a literary work fail to compel the readers attention, the reader will lose interest and dump the work eventually. To develop the characters in the literary work, the writer must:

1. Create the characters with whom you can identify with as the author.

2. Slip into the roles as you create them.

3. Make the characters reveal themselves and define themselves.

4. Create characters that are unique and memorable e.g "Okonkwo" in Things Fall Apart.

5. Visualize the characters.

6. Sketch the characters from real life observations and characters often seen.

LITERARY PERSONALITY: FEMI OSOFISAN

FABULOUS FACTS ABOUT FEMI OSOFISAN 

1. His full name is BABAFEMI ADEYEMI OSOFISAN
2. His birthday is on June 16th
3. His father is Ebenezer Olatokunbo Osofisan
4. His mother is Phebean Olufunke Osofisan
5. His father was a lay reader, church organist and a school teacher
6. His father died three months after his birth
7. His mother is a retired teacher
8. He was born in Ogun state
9. He turned 70 in 2016
10. He is the first African to win the Thalia prize
11. He retired as a professor from University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 2011
12. His pen name is Okinba Launko  

Poetry: Change

CHANGE by Ada RuChi

Change is like a SHARP bend
You don't see it
Then it happens
You try to slow down to gasp
You are scared and breathless
You kick up more dust
You shake off sand
You grab on to something

Change leaves you shocked
You shed old skin and grow new skin
Change makes you accept your fate
You are different
You don't have the option to go back "after all"
And in the end you are grateful
The road seems clearer

Watch out!!! That's the next bend!!!
Sorry friend, you can't reverse!!!

BOOK REVIEW

SILENT WHISPERS by Joe Osi

Number of pages: 312

Number of chapters: 29

PLOT/ SYNOPSIS

       The narrative is a comedy. It has a prologue and an epilogue. The narrative is a fast , thrilling and breath-taking story of ignorance interwoven in superstition and pride. The narrative tells the story of a vibrant community in Lokoja. The waterside community made up of mostly fishermen and farmers is held bound in ignorance, and mistake nature to be associated with a wicked spirit "Sefinatu." "...People could talk about Sefinatu in hushed tones in the safety of their houses."

      They associate the confluence with "Yaruwa," a mermaid spirit which they believe controls the Niger River and demands for sacrifice each year by the floating of water Hyacinth before the first rains in May (Page 43). "Annjenu" is the river goddess and dictates the time of sacrifice. "...O, great one, queen of the great river, Annjenu of the sea yonder..." (page 31)

      The strange death of people starting with the death of "Talatu Pam" sets the conflict between modern medical science interpretation and ancient superstitious beliefs in a mermaid (Sefinatu) (Pages 112-113;222).

       A young man who is a reporter for 'Daily Witness' named Sam Durueke and the Editor, Tunji Johnson are determined to get to the roots of the deaths in the villages and towns around the Niger River (pages 160-161). He unravels and reveals the mystery of the deaths as 'Lassa fever' (page 293). He meets Dr. Kay, an American who explains to him how this disease is spread and saves a dying girl she meets (page 290).

Sam also reveals the secret behind the flickering light on Ekitiva Island (page 310).

       Meanwhile, a ten year old boy begins to hallucinate after visiting Waterside to witness the scene of the place which captivates him in a poem written by Henry Fletcher titled "Elfinatu." "...A ten year old boy was going to unravel a mystery, and he was so excited about his mission..." (page 1). He is deeply entrenched in his belief in "Sefinatu" that he easily believes that Sefinatu has cast a spell upon him when he visits the Waterside. "...He knew he would never get away any longer. He had gotten the spell...He began to cry." (page 39). His name is Amaechi and he begins to hallucinate in fear (pages 65-71) and is taken to Dr. Williams shortly after Talatu Pam is taken out of the hospital by her father.

      Dr. Williams, Sam Durueke and Mary Bassey are able to unravel the mystery of the various deaths and enlighten the populace that Sefinatu is not real and superstitions are fairy tales (page 310).

      The narrative ends with the characters in a new dawn and the belief in herbal remedies are emphasized not the belief in spiritual remedy which is false and leads to death (page 312).

       The characters are finally enlightened and they understand that nature is beautiful and harmless. "...Ahead, small bunches of water hyacinth floating down the river greet them with the same refrain: life and death are two sides of the same coin." (page 312) 

POINT OF VIEW

Third person Omniscient point of view

SETTING

 The narrative is set in Lokoja, Lagos, Abuja, Aburu village. The era is the post colonial era in Nigeria.

CHARACTERS

Sam Durueke

Jamiu Garba

Amaechi

Dr. Momodu Williams

Nyarinya Mai Karfi

Talatu Pam

Engineer James Ugwu

King Tobias Chenge

Tunji Johnson

Dr. Jeremiah Ameh

Dr. Kay

Rajiv Singh

Dr. Mary Bassey

President Maman Nurudeen

THEMES

1. Superstition and ignorance

2. Death

3. Religion

4.Corruption

5. Poverty

6. Enlightenment 

* There is also a clash of beliefs: modern medicine against ancient religious practices and superstition (page 222)

* "SILENT WHISPERS" is about the misconception of nature by ignorant people. It is a book about the beauty of nature degraded by superstition. "...A light flickering over the isle and whispering silently to the ears that listened." (page 32)

GRAB ANOTHER BOOK TODAY

GREAT READER, GREAT LEADER!!!

CHECK OUT NEW AUTHORS!
CHECK OUT NEW BOOKS!
ENJOY THE FUN IN READING, SEE THE WORLD THROUGH THE BOOK!!!

BOOK FOR THE WEEK:  SILENT WHISPERS BY JOE OSI

FOOD...!

SUYA: 'THE STREET FOOD'

If you have not eaten suya and you are in Nigeria...'Enyi m gini ka i na-eche?'

Go grab some!!!

    

      

       Suya is a Nigerian delicacy which is usually prepared by the Hausa tribe of Nigeria. It is called 'street food' because it is often prepared along the sides of streets on temporarily mounted fires. Suya is simply "roasted meat" spiced with dried pepper, salt, maggi, ginger, onions and cabbage (Note that there is no standard recipe for spicing suya). I'm licking my lips right now. *wink*