The dynamics of african literature and its criticism: perspectives from Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper argues that Africans should view their literature as an autonomous entity separate from all other literatures of the world. The author argues for a perspective of literature and its criticism that is African in nature. The article discusses how African literature both oral and written has over the years received negative criticism from Euro-centric literary critics. Western critics, it is further argued, habitually view African literary works using European eyes to the extent that some even consider African literature as an overseas department of European literature (Palmer, 1979; Povey, 1972, 1971). Charges against African literature range from technical and thematic inadequacies as if African literary works have been written to be consumed by natives of Europe. Regrettably, some Africans, have unwittingly accepted these criticisms and adopted the use of foreign theoretical tools to understand and analyse literature found on the African continent. The paper concludes by discouraging African scholars from gazing westwards for signals of approval that their statements and views about literature conform to the canons of European literature. Africans should establish their own tools of analysing literature that are relevant and appropriate to needs and interests of the African people.