Analyzing Narrative Structure of the Novel “The Afersata”

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to show how Sahle Sellassie Berhane Mariam, who has proven his worth as an Ethiopian novelist, represents the Ethiopian social and political environment in a thoroughly realistic way. This research has four major chapters. The first chapter is the introduction which shows the background of Ethiopian literature in English, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, methodology of the study, significance of the study, delimitation and limitation of the study as well. Previous studies are reviewed under chapter two and narrative structure analysis is treated under the third chapter. The fourth chapter is the last chapter which deals with summary and conclusion based on the findings of the study. It is found that, in The Afersata novel of Sahle Sellassie, the story focused on the communal and traditional court system called the Afersata to investigate the arson which was a real experience of the Gurage people in the past. The author revealed different customs and beliefs. Besides political corruption, social insecurity and economic woes are revealed. The story evolves during Emperor Haile Sellassie’s regime where Ethiopia suffered from bureaucratic government system. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-3-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2021