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A Comparative Analysis of Narrative Technique and Plot Structure in Two

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A Comparative Analysis of Narrative Technique and Plot Structure in Two A Comparative Analysis of Narrative Technique and Plot Structure in two Zambian Novels: John Luangala’s The Chosen Bud and Malama Katulwende’s Bitterness. By Mwaka Siluonde A dissertation submitted to the University of Zambia in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Literature THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA LUSAKA APRIL, 2015 i DECLARATION I, Mwaka Siluonde, declare that this dissertation: a. Represents my own work b. Has not previously been submitted at this or any other University, and c. Does not incorporate any published work or material from another dissertation Signed:............................................................................ Date:.................................................................................. ii All rights reserved. No part of this dissertation may be reproduced or stored in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the author or the University of Zambia. iii APPROVAL This dissertation by Mwaka Siluonde is approved as partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts in Literature of the University of Zambia. Examiners’ Signatures Signed: Date: ............................................. ......................................... .............................................. .......................................... .............................................. ............................................ iv ABSTRACT This study is a comparative analysis of narrative technique and plot structure in two Zambian novels. There are no available studies on the plot structure and narrative techniques of the two novels, John Luangala’s The Chosen Bud and Malama Katulwende’s Bitterness more especially a comparative analysis of the two . The aim of the study is to draw attention to areas of convergence and divergence in the plot structure and narrative technique of the two novels under analysis. The study is governed by three theories. These are the Formalist, Structuralist and Narratological theories. The study is a qualitative desk research. Four categories are used to deal with narrative technique and these are narrative time, narrative mood, narrative instance and narrative level. In terms of plot structure, the novels are subjected to a modified Freytag plot structure, Denise Paulme’s plot structure models and a scrutiny of whether they are simple or complex. When both the techniques and plot structures were compared the common discovery is that the novels show more similarities in their use of technique and plot structure than differences. They both have most of the techniques and plot structures concerned but with different ways and degrees of implementation and also with different roles. The similarities and differences are significant because they clearly show influence from western literature and oral African literature. v To all my children vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My immeasurable gratitude goes to my supervisor Dr Cheela Chilala. I am forever indebted to him for the knowledge I have gained from him can never be taken away from me. His criticism which sometimes seemed harsh pushed me to work extra hard and his direction I believe was always in the right direction. Further I would like to appreciate the contribution made by the University of Zambia Department of Literature and Languages in facilitating my Masters programme. Specifically, I would like to thank the Lecturers who taught me and these include Mr. Mundia and Dr. Panwell Munatamba. I further acknowledge the support of my family. Special gratitude goes to my husband Mr. Garvin Chipo Njalamimba for standing by me throughout my Masters programme. For urging me to soldier on when I felt like quitting and for babysitting when need arose. I further extend my heartfelt gratitude to my parents Mr. And Mrs. Siluonde for encouraging me to advance my education and keeping my daughter while I pursued my studies. I cannot forget my brother Happyson Siluonde who was always at hand to offer technical help. Further thanks go to my Uncle Mr. Lazarus Siluonde for offering free printing services for my work. Gratitude also goes to my cousin Tusankine Manda and her husband for their hospitality each time I came for School. I would like to also acknowledge friends that supported me throughout my studies especially my colleague Mr. Alexander Zulu for honestly criticising my work and making it much better in the process. To my pastor Apostle Thomas Banda for the unwavering spiritual support and most of all the almighty God for had it not been him by my side I would not have made it this far. vii Table Contents CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................................................... 1 General Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................................... 12 1.3 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................. 12 1.4 Research Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 13 1.5 Research Questions ....................................................................................................................... 13 1.6 Significance of Study ..................................................................................................................... 13 1.7.0 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................. 14 1.7.1 Formalist Theory .................................................................................................................... 14 1.7.2 Structuralist Literary Theory ................................................................................................ 16 1.7.3 Narratological theory ............................................................................................................. 16 1.8 Research Method .......................................................................................................................... 17 1.9 Delimitation of the Study .............................................................................................................. 17 1.10 Structure of the Dissertation ...................................................................................................... 17 1.11 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 18 1.12Operational Definitions ............................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Literature Review ..................................................................................................................................... 20 2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 20 2.1 Non African Texts ......................................................................................................................... 20 2.2 African Texts ................................................................................................................................. 24 2.3 Zambian Texts .............................................................................................................................. 25 2.4 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................. 32 Synopses of The Chosen Bud and Bitterness ............................................................................................. 32 3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 32 3.1 The Chosen Bud ............................................................................................................................ 32 3.2 Bitterness ....................................................................................................................................... 39 3.3 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 45 CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................................................... 46 viii Narrative Techniques in The Chosen Bud and Bitterness ........................................................................... 46 4.0Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 46 4.1 Narrative Techniques ..................................................................................................................
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