The Writer in an African State

Abstract

IF IT WERE POSSIBLE to suggest an opposite background for contemporary African literature or at least to invent an entirely different background, would a stranger to the literary creations of African writers find any discrepancy between subject matter and environment? Would he be any more deeply puzzled than he is today at the lack of vital relevance between the literary concerns of writers and the pattern of reality that has overwhelmed even the writers themselves in the majority of the modem African states. I do not concern myself now with the exceptions which are in any case so few and without much impact. And I certainly exclude the South African situation for the moment, since I do not, alas, possess the superior complacency of a fellow writer from Africa who uttered sentiments more or less of the following words: "One is tempted to ask", he says, "what is the South African writer doing for himself? A little less talking and protest and a bit more action especially from the so-called exiles might be more to the point . . .etc. etc."