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Dickens Memory
Literary allusions in bolaji's people of the townships
Literary Allusions in Bolaji's People of the Townships
By Raphael Mokoena
Omoseye Bolaji who has produced lots of exciting fiction based on the Free State (South Africa), can observably hardly hide his love for literature, even in his least impressive creative works. In all his books, references are made to famous books and authors, often "briefly and sweetly" .
One abiding memory of Impossible Love is the reference to Jules Verne's Around the world in 80 Days; an allusion also echoed in the fourth of the Tebogo series, Ask Tebogo. In The Ghostly Adversary, one of the chapters essentially focuses on the world of books and authors; in Tebogo's spot of bother one recollects the reference to Lorna Doone. It goes on and on.
In Omoseye Bolaji's novel, People of the Townships (2003) the trend continues. Here the protagonist John Lefuo is presented as a young township creation, cynical, but a lover of books. He comes across as a man who has read fairly widely. Throughout his "journeys" around the townships on that fateful day he finds time to reminisce on books, authors – despite the grim mood that understandably envelopes him. Some of these literary allusions are quite memorable, and I would love to refer to them here.
On page 53, to start with:
"It used to remind me of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, where Pip's sister used to go on so-called rampages, complaining and cleaning away, busy with her comprehensive cleaning, with Pip and "good old Joe" cowering with misery"
Here it is clear that Lefuo is referring to the original (not abridged) work of Great Expectations where the scene alluded to is powerfully evoked. The long-suffering nature of the simple Joe, and his extraordinary patience with his wife. Lefuo juxtaposes this case(s) with a typical situation in the black townships. Whoever said literature could not be international?
On Page 72 Lefuo meets a local journalist, they share pleasantries briefly, and then Lefuo comments:
"I know (Makhanya, the journalist) is lying… I have always maintained that journalists like him should write and produce books. Many years ago great journalists in England like HG Wells and Arnold Bennett also wrote great books (novels). I did tell Makhanya and others like him this, but to my surprise they did not even know about people like Wells."
It is no surprise that the author, Bolaji would identify with revered authors like HG Wells, and Bennett who in their own days were both great journalists and novelists. After all the same could be said for Bolaji too.
Very soon after, (page 73) Lefuo finds himself extrapolating on what is basically the state of black writing in the Free State:
"Until very recently most of we blacks locally believed there was no way any sort of local literature could emerge; but it has. We have something to relate to now. Dozens of books produced by black writers locally, not all of a terribly high quality, but a start has been made. Most of them (i.e the books)purchased in hundreds by the libraries. Books written by people we know; the always smiling Flaxman Qoopane, omotelele (lanky) Lebohang Thaisi, Job Mzamo, rising above poverty and semi-literacy to write and publish, Pule Lebuso, a thinker, Mme Molebogeng A Mokhuoa, a mother, producing at least two books; Maleke Motse beginning to fulfill his potential. All sorts of books: poetry, fiction, biographies etc have been produced,"
This passage invites several comments, but few will suffice here. As I write, it is only three years after the publication of the book (People of the Townships) but a lot has happened locally since then. Sadly writers like Pule Lebuso and Mme Mokhuoa are already dead (prematurely). Maleke Motse who wrote a book of short stories seems to have vanished completely from the scene. Most importantly we have seen the emergence of other literary figures like Charmaine Kolwane, Kgang Abel Motheane – and the greatest discovery of all, Pule Lechesa. It is also interesting that in the passage above Bolaji, the real author of the book, could not actually mention his own name as the main catalyst for FS black literature!
The very last paragraph of the book (People of the townships) ends on a classical note:
"The police car drives off. I'm not worried – I'm thinking about Othello and Desdemona. At least Desdemona was blameless," (page 93)
The reference here of course is to William Shakespeare's Othello. It is again short, sharp and sweet, echoing the terrible plight of Desdemona and her lack of blame for her demise, no thanks to evil Iago's antics. It is clear that John Lefuo hardly regrets killing the mother of his child. But the point here is the way Bolaji in a subtle way often makes literary allusions and references weaving them briefly into his narrative. Nor should the reader think only "Eurocentric" references are made in the work; for in the narrative, African writers like Chinua Achebe "Things fall apart and the centre can't hold", for example, are also referred to.
Creative writers are always influenced (e.g to write) by the books they read, and Omoseye Bolaji is no exception.
About the Author
~~En Memorium~~ a sonnet, please comment?
EN MEMORIUM
A sonnet in honor and memory of a true master
He passed away in honor; and mourners
Wept at his death--he was a true artist.
Though decades pass, we, though foreigners,
Forget not yet the genius we have missed.
And now, sorry at our deprivation,
Find great comfort in the treasures we hold:
The greatest is indeed God's salvation,
As he, within his finest chapters told.
I wonder, if he here and alive,
Would I be strong enough to breathe "thank you."?
For learning hours, inspiration athrive,
The scenes that touched--made me sob, and smile, too;
O! I think I should like, when dead, to lie
In Westminster Abbey, at Dickens' side.
Thank you for your time, and comments, in advance.
It's so beautiful, I may cry.
Rare Sid Dickens Memory Blocks on Danielle Steel's "Mixed Blessing - Third Clip