Ngugi, et. al. (On the abolition of the English Department)

English Departments

• emerged in late 19th and early 20th centuries

• study of English: cloesly tied to nationalism (mostly during national conflicts like WWI) —hence: it’s not study of literature, but of English

Ngugi says:

• they are remnants of British colonial rule

• English is an instrument of imperialism and the study of indigenous national literature and language should be promoted instead

even after national independence

-doesn’t necessarily reuslt in economic/cultural independence

-effect still stayed in language, education, religion, society, economic/political sturctures

culture

-vehicle for colonial control: “cultural imperalism“

-teaching literature in academic institutions helped implement colonial rule and cultural imperialism in Africa

literary excelence

-value judgement

-who is the one who can judge it?

-it’s better to learn representative works that mirror their society, than a few isolated classics

Ngugi’s suggestions (an expensionist approach)

1. Dismantle the Departments centered on English language and literature

2. Create Departments centered on the study of indigenous languages and literature, as well as relevant foreing ones (not just English)

3. Focus study neglected topics, such as African oral traditions

4. Study modern African literature, which includes Caribbean and African American literature