Symbols Of Decadence In Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born

This work introduces the major variable in this research topic as well as gives a brief background of the text adopted for critical analysis. The text selected for the study, therefore will focus on the concept of symbol and decadence as well as its relevance to the novel. This research examines symbols of Decadence in this novel: Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born.  This work focuses on the theory of Marxism. The theory will then focus on the thematic concern of symbols and decadence of the text selected for the study. Armah has successfully shown in the text above how the political independence of 1957 in Ghana has failed to lessen the yoke of colonialism from the common people in Ghana.

 

Title page        i

Certification        ii

Dedication        iii

Acknowledgement       iv

Abstract        v

Table of content       vi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Theoretical Framework and Methodology

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

1.3 Authorial Background

1.4 Purpose of the Study

1.5 Scope of the Study

1.6 Justification

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Symbol of Decadence in The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born

3.2 Character Portrayal as Theme and Technique

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Symbolic Type and Societal Relevance

4.2 Symbols used as Decadence Stamps

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 The Effects of Symbolic Decadence in the Ghanian Society

 Bibliography

 

This chapter introduces the major variable (Symbols of Decadence) in the research topic as well as give a brief background of the text adopted for critical analysis.

The text selected for the study therefore, focuses on the concept of symbols of decadence as well as its relevance to socio-economic and political cleansing of the Ghanaian society.

 A symbol was defined according to Northrop Frye in his book “Anatomy of criticism” is something such as object, picture, written word, sound or particular mark that represents something else by association resemblance or convention for example, a red octagon may be a symbol for “stop”. On map crossed sabres may indicate a battlefield. All language consists of symbols personal numberals are symbols for numbers names are symbols representing individuals.

 Swiss Psychoanalyst Carl Jung, who studied archetypes, proposed an alternative definition of symbol distinguishing it from the term sign. In Jung’s view, a sign stands for something known, as a word stands for its referent. He contrasted this with symbol which he used to stand for something that is unknown and that cannot be made clear or precise. An example of a symbol in this sense is Christ as a symbol of the archetype called self.

 Decadence according to Oscar Wilde; he gave a curious definition “Classicism in the subordination of the parts to the whole, decadence is the subordination of the whole to the parts”.

 It can also be the state of being degenerate in metal or moral qualities. A state of moral or artistic decline or determination decay. It can be refer to a personal trait or to the state of a society (or segment of it).

 Often decadence a literary movement especially of last 19th century France and England characterized by refined aestheticism artifice and the guest for new sensation. The state reacted through such a process. 

Symbol is totally different from an Anecdote, Metaphor, Figure of Speech and Imagery. Symbol is different from Anecdote which is a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. It may be as brief as the setting and provocation of a bon mol. An anecdote is always presented as based on a red incident involving actual persons, whether famous on not usually in an identifiable place, also figure of speech is use or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words in it, such as a metaphor, simile and personification etc. Figures of speech often provide emphasis freshness of expression or clarity. Clarity may also suffer from their use as any figures of speech introduce an ambiguity between literal and figurative interpretation. A figure of speech of sometime called rhetoric or a locution.

Moreover, Metaphor on the other hand is a figure of speech, in which an implied comparism is made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common.  Metaphor is a Greek word meaning ‘to transfer’ or ‘carry across’, quality or state can be compared without using the words like or as. It is thus a condensed form of simile. Imagery is different from Symbol, it is a form of mental images, figures or likeness as of some images. Collectively the imagery or a dream, pectoral images collectively, especially those produced by the activity of imagination.