CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: THE ANGUISH OF EXISTENCE IN POETRY: THE EXAMPLE OF CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO'S POETIC CONTENT

Ngozi Dora Ulogu, Christiana Obiageli Udogu

Abstract


Okigbo's poetry gives expression to personal experiences of man, the emotions and impulses and the resultant effects of elusive hope and a rejected self- striving to redeem its crushed pieces. Thus the experience of pain, despair and inner hurt described as anguish majorly dot the lines of Okigbo's poetry, especially, in his selection of poetry 'Labyrinth, incorporating “Passage''. The feelings of despair and anguish are in the domain of psychoanalysis stemming from the inner recesses of the individual. The experiences manifest as reminiscences which are perceived as ''bittersweet'' which is a feeling of both pleasure and pain. Every soul, therefore, is a pilgrim in the world and suffers the anguish of existence which issues out of the personal experiences of alienation from the realities surrounding oneself and from society. This paper is a literary study of Okigbo's poetic contents as personal experiences and reminiscences of his life. The essay explores the motivations of anguish, loneliness, and despair as psychoanalytic tools of analysis of the poems. Specifically, nostalgia, feelings of pleasure and sadness are identified as the driving impetus and impulses in the poetic persona's psyche. These metaphors demonstrate the strivings and elusiveness of perfection in human existence.

 

Keywords: Poetry, psychoanalysis, anguish, nostalgia, reminiscences.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Achebe, C. and Okafor D. (Eds.). (1978). Don't let him die: An anthology of memorial poems

for Christopher Okigbo 1932 – 1967. Enugu: Fourth Dimension.

Adesina, G. (2017). 50 Years on: Remembering Christopher Okigbo, the Poet with Distinction . https//www. pmnewsnigeria . com/2017/09/22/50 - years - on - remembering. Accessed 25/2/22.

Adriana, B. (ND). Anguish.Convergean Freud Lacan. www.convergeanfreud.ng.php

Akwanya, A. N. (2017). Literary criticism: From formal to question of method. Nsukka:

University of Nigeria Press.

Annemanu, H. (1978). The Ritual and the Plot: The Critic and Okigbo's. Labyrinth.Research in African Literatures 9 (1)46-64.

Banham, Martin (2010). Review of dreams in a time of war: A Childhood Memoir/Christopher Okigbo: Thirsting for Sunlight. Leeds African Studies Bulletin 72.Lucas.leeds.ac.uk. pp. 125-126

Dasylva, A. O. and Oluwatoyin B. J. (1997).Studies in Poetry. Stirling-Horden.UK Green, A. (2005). Key Ideas for a Contemporary Psychoanalysis. New York: Routledge. Green, V. (Ed.) (2003). Emotional development in Psychoanalysis, Attachment Theory

and Neuroscience: creating connections. New York: Routledge.

Izevebaye, D. (2000). Living the Myth: Revisiting Okigbo's Art and Commitment.

Critical Essays on Christopher Okigbo (Book 2000). Worldcat.org. . 2000. 25/2/22.

Nkosi, Lewis (1981). Task and Mask: Themes and styles of African Literature. Essex:

Longman Group.

Nwabueze, Emeka (2000). Ranking of African Literary Writers and the Canonization of

Texts. In D. Opata and A. Ohaegbu, U. Aloysius (eds.). Major Themes in African Literature. (pp. 189-204). AP Express Publishers. .

Nwahunanaya, C. (2007). Literary Criticism, Critical Theory and Post-Colonial African Literature. Springfield Publishers.

Nwakanma, O. (2010).Thirsting for Sunlight 1930-67. HEBN Publishers Plc.

Nwoga, D. (1967). West African Verse. London: Longman Group.

Popa, B. (ND) Re-imagining Non- Domination: Troubling Assumptionsin Psychoanalytic Critical Theory. Annual Review of Critical Psychology.

University of Michigan. https:www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/12915749/bogna-popa-discourse-unit 28-37.

Thien, M. (2014). Okigbo's Generation: A Conversation with Obi Nwakanma.

Bricks 93 Literary Journal.Brickmag.com.

Ugbodaga, K. 50 Year on: Remembering Christopher Okigbo, the Poet with Distinction. PM News. Pmnewsnigeria.com. 25/2/22.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.