GVU Journal of Humanities

Postcolonial Trauma and Identity Crisis: A Comparative Study of Racism, Ethnophobia, and Xenophobia in Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Mahomed’s Cheaper Than Roses, and Brontë’s Wuthering Heights"

2025-04-21T19:03:37+03:00

This paper examines racism, ethnophobia, and xenophobia as interconnected manifestations of postcolonial trauma and socio-political identity crises, through a comparative analysis of three literary texts from different cultural contexts: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (United States), Cheaper Than Roses by Ismail Mahomed (South Africa), and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (England). Each of these works reveals the enduring psychological and societal repercussions of marginalization, identity fragmentation, and cultural displacement. Utilizing postcolonial, psychoanalytic, and sociocultural theoretical frameworks, the study interrogates how systemic discrimination distorts individual self-perception and disrupts societal belonging. Hansberry’s portrayal of an African-American family in mid-20th-century Chicago illustrates the impact of racial injustice on aspirations and familial cohesion. Mahomed’s satirical narrative captures the post-apartheid identity disorientation among South African coloureds, embodied in the character of Betty, whose existential struggles reflect broader societal disillusionment. Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is reinterpreted through a racialized lens, positioning Heathcliff’s outsider status as a symbol of ethnophobic exclusion and class-based prejudice in 19th-century England. The paper contends that these forms of discrimination are not isolated social issues but deeply entrenched instruments of historical domination and cultural suppression. By juxtaposing these texts, the study highlights literature’s role as a critical mirror of colonial legacies and structural inequalities that persist across time and geography.

African Literary Ecologies: Exploring the Intersections of Environment, Culture and Identity

2025-04-21T19:48:45+03:00

This paper explores Chibundu Onuzo’s The Spider King's Daughter through the lenses of ecocriticism, feminist theory, and cultural identity. It examines the protagonist’s struggle with privilege and societal realities, highlighting themes of resilience, gender agency, and the intersection of tradition and modernity. The study emphasizes how literature can illuminate issues of ecological sustainability and cultural preservation. Through her journey, Onuzo explores themes of privilege, resilience, and the quest for personal fulfilment, reflecting broader societal challenges. The analysis reveals the tension between tradition and modernity, illustrating how cultural identity is shaped by heritage and contemporary influences. Feminist perspectives are integral to this exploration, emphasising the agency of female characters who navigate patriarchal constraints. The relationships underscore the importance of solidarity and support among women in asserting their identities. By connecting these themes, this study situates Onuzo's work within broader discussions of ecological sustainability and cultural preservation, highlighting the significance of literature in addressing contemporary issues. The findings suggest that the novel serves as a lens through which readers can reflect on the complexities of identity formation in a rapidly changing world. Recommendations for further research include comparative studies with other African literature, investigations of urbanisation’s impact on cultural identity, and analyses of social media’s role in shaping modern narratives. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how literature can reflect and influence societal narratives, enriching the discourse on identity in a global context.

DEICTIC CONSTRUCTION OF IDEOLOGIES IN SELECTED SPEECHES OF AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN LEADERS ON UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR

2025-04-21T20:10:14+03:00

The research analysed the ideological construction of deixis in selected speeches of American and European leaders on Ukraine-Russia war. Thirty-five samples were taken from eleven speeches delivered by the Euopean, American leaders and the Secretary General of the United Nations. The random samples were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed using van Dijk’s socio-cognition model. Four types of deixis were analysed: person, time, place and discourse deixis. The findings showed that person deixis occurred for 243 times representing 68.8% of the entire deixis; time deixis for 8 times representing 2.3% of the entire deixis; place deixis for 25 times representing 7.1%; and discourse deixis for 78 times representing 22.1% of the entire 353 times of occurrences for all the four deixis. This indicates that the most dominant deixis is person deixis. The reason for the frequent use of person deixis was the need for the leaders to foreground themselves and their allies in the speeches. The political leaders attempted to register their opinions on the war and as well solicit for pragmatic actions from allies and partners. They projected certain realities around the war; reinforced their political authority and their ability to shape the direction of events surrounding the war. The study concluded that a critical discourse analysis of grammatical items is useful to unravel speakers’ interests in certain events.

LES EXIGENCES RELIGIEUSES SUR LA FEMME À TRAVERS LES ÉCRITS DE SEMBÈNE OUSMANE

2025-04-21T20:42:58+03:00

Des écrivains africains tels que Sembène Ousmane d'origine Sénégalaise, en tant que partisan de la lutte pour l’émancipation féminine, tente de montrer que la religion peut être un obstacle pour la libération de la femme. Parmi de nombreux traits importants associés à la différenciation de l'inégalité entre les sexes se trouve la religion. Donc cette étude examinera les femmes dans le contexte des différentes confessions religieuses. Cela inclut la façon dont la religion influence la vie des femmes. Une attention particulière est accordée à la façon dont la religion est utilisée comme un outil patriarcal pour élever le statut et le pouvoir des hommes sur les femmes sur le plan conjugal, familial et traditionnel. Ainsi, cette étude a pour objectif d'exposer la vision womaniste de Sembène Ousmane concernant comment les exigences religieuses affectent la femme. On se demande pourquoi Sembène Ousmane est préoccupé par le problème qui milite contre l’émancipation de la femme africaine assujettie ou bien marginalisée et comment ses œuvres ont traduit la condition des femmes africaines contemporaines. Par conséquent, cette étude va combler la lacune qui existante à propos de la tendance womaniste qui manifeste chez Sembène Ousmane. Pour enrayer ce problème qui milite contre l'émancipation des femmes africaines, nous recommandons que l'instruction des femmes doive être une priorité majeure pour les dirigeants africains.Nous avons limite notre étude sur trois romans de Sembène Ousmane tels : Les Bouts de bois de Dieu, L’Harmattan et Xala. Le womanisme est la théorie de base.

Words As Shields and Swords: The Pervasive Influence of Pentecostal Language in Nigeria

2025-04-21T21:19:26+03:00

Nigerian Pentecostalism has emerged as a significant socio-cultural force, exerting profound influence across various aspects of daily life, including linguistic practices. The movement has not only facilitated the emergence of new lexical expressions that reinforce religious dogmatism in a restrictive sense but has also contributed to their widespread deployment in social discourse in a more flexible and pervasive manner. Through innovative media, Pentecostal ideology, particularly in the form of warfare prayers and vernacular expressions has deeply permeated societal interactions, enabling individuals to appropriate these linguistic forms in popular culture to articulate diverse ideologies and identities. This study critically examines how ordinary Nigerians utilize Pentecostal expressions as rhetorical instruments of both offense and defense against perceived threats to their personal and communal progress, as well as tools for social engagement and interaction. Adopting an analytical approach, the study employs Norman Fairclough’s (1995) Critical Discourse Analysis as its theoretical framework and draws on empirical data from participant observations and unstructured interviews. The findings reveal that the integration of Pentecostal language into everyday discourse reflects broader sociocultural transformations and underscores the profound impact of religious movements on societal norms and values. Ultimately, the study highlights the intertwined roles of language and religion as foundational instruments in shaping human society.

Influence of Teachers Pedagogical Self-Efficacy and Feedback Mechanisms on Reflective Teaching Practices in Economics in Ibadan Metropolis

2025-04-21T21:41:16+03:00

This study investigated the influence of teachers’ pedagogical self-efficacy and feedback mechanisms on reflective teaching practices in economics in Ibadan Metropolis. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving sample of 75 Economics teachers in secondary school drawn using stratified random sampling technique. The data collected were analysed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. The study reveal that; teachers’ reflective Teaching practices in economics as a subject had positive moderate relationship with Pedagogical self-efficacy (r= .653). Teachers’ reflective Teaching practices in economics as a subject had positive moderate relationship with feedback mechanism (r= .510). The pedagogical self-efficacy and feedback mechanism had a significant contribution to the prediction of Teachers’ reflective Teaching practices (F_(2,72)=33.09, Adj.R 2 =0.47 p<0.05). Pedagogical self-efficacy (β= 0.53) and feedback mechanism (β= 0.26) relatively contributed to Teachers’ reflective Teaching practices. The study concluded that both factors were critical to the development of the reflective teaching with self-efficacy having greater impact. The study recommended that the government and school authorities should incorporate evidence-based strategies, workshops, and training sessions to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in reflective teaching practices for result-oriented teaching and learning.

Leveraging Digital Technologies for Environmental Literacy among Nigerian Internet Natives

2025-04-22T00:59:52+03:00

The proliferation of the internet and emerging media has transformed the landscape of social action movements, enabling bottom-up transformations and fostering environmental activism. This study examines the challenges and opportunities for promoting environmental literacy among Nigerian internet users aged 18-35 in the digital age. Grounded in technological determinism theory, this study employed the survey method. The population for this study is the Yaba Local Council Development Area in Lagos State. A sample size of 400 internet users was determined for this study using Taro Yamane’s formula. However, to ensure a broad and representative selection of participants, the study employed a random sampling technique. 1,000 individuals were simply selected for potential participation from the total population estimated at 483,600. This more extensive selection accounts for potential non-responses and ensures that at least the calculated sample size (400) was met to explore the role of digital technologies in environmental education. The findings reveal that environmental education plays a crucial role in fostering environmental literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and informed decision-making. However, the study also highlights the challenges of accurately assessing the impact of digital technologies on environmental movement tactics. To address this, the study recommends enhancing environmental education by providing accurate and trustworthy information on environmental issues and leveraging new media platforms to raise public awareness and concern.

An Interactional Sociolinguistic Study of Greetings in Selected Traditional Nupe Films Using Dell Hymes' Ethnography of Speaking

2025-04-22T02:00:42+03:00

Greetings are a ubiquitous form of communication found in nearly all societies, serving as a crucial tool for initiating and maintaining social interactions. This study, therefore, explores the diverse sociolinguistic aspects of greetings in Nupe culture, aiming to understand how they function as socially meaningful acts and contribute to the construction of social identities and relationships. Guided by Dell Hymes’ Ethnography of Speaking, this study employs a quantitative approach to analyse data collected for this research. The raw data for this research were obtained from four different traditional Nupe films: Usman Mokwa’s Rakpe (2021), Tsado Felix’s Ndanusa (2020), Bagi and Amina’s Etan Chin Chin (2021) and Hussain Koda’s Teacher Eyekondudu (2006). The findings revealed certain sociolinguistic variables that shape Nupe greetings in selected films, namely, age, gender, status and religion. In terms of the representation of greeting forms, Formal greetings accounted for the highest proportion at 23%, indicating that structured and official exchanges were most prevalent. Respectful greetings followed closely at 19%. Informal greetings made up 15% of the interactions. Playful or teasing greetings and spiritual or eulogizing ones each accounted for 12%. Congratulatory greetings represented 11%. Condolence greetings were the least common at 7%, suggesting fewer observed situations involving expressions of sympathy. The study reveals that greetings in Nupe films are not mere rituals, but dynamic expressions of identity, hierarchy, and cultural continuity in the Nupe community.

Nigerian and the Question of Ethnic Crises: Amartya Sen's Approach

2025-04-22T20:01:52+03:00

Since the inception of Nigeria, there has been discussion over the issue of harmonious cohabitation amongst its many ethnic groups. Due to the unequal distribution of the nation's resources, which is the consequence of elite group manipulation of power, Nigeria has seen a series of political, economic, and ethnic crises that have led to ethnic divides and inequities among its population. These have fostered rivalries. In order to examine political instability and ethnic crises in contemporary Nigeria, the article adopts an analytical method and makes use of the critical analysis tool. The ethnic crises are made more dramatic when considered in light of the many instances of injustice and unfair treatment that the ruling class has inflicted on the weaker, marginalized, and vulnerable ethnic groups in Nigerian society. The findings indicated that ethnic crises are among the issues threatening Nigeria's national stability. This notion forms the basis of this research. Ethnic crises may be resolved by adopting Amartya Sen's vision of justice. Human reason may discern between fairness and injustice through the realization process, as demonstrated by Amartya Sen's Niti and Nyaya. The article concluded that ethnic crises have led to competition between various ethnic groups and economic loss. Public reasoning may eliminate unfairness among the nation's numerous ethnic groups, and modern Nigeria may employ Amarya Sen's Niti and Nyaya to end ethnic crises.

The Role of Implicature in Legal Discourse: Ambiguity and Manipulation

2025-04-25T12:51:32+03:00

This study examines the role of implicature in Nigerian legal texts, focusing on contracts, wills and testaments, and courtroom interactions. Using a qualitative discourse analysis approach, the study explores how strategic ambiguity and manipulative language influence legal interpretation and power dynamics. Drawing on Grice’s Cooperative Principles, the analysis highlights frequent violations of the maxims of Quantity, Manner, and Relation to create legal uncertainty, maintain power imbalances, and shape judicial outcomes. Findings reveal that vague contractual terms, ambiguous testamentary clauses, and suggestive courtroom language often disadvantage weaker parties by allowing dominant entities such as corporations, legal professionals, and the judiciary to exercise interpretative control. The study recommends enhancing precision in legal drafting, enforcing stricter judicial interpretation, promoting public legal awareness, encouraging plain-language reforms, and strengthening ethical guidelines for legal practitioners. These measures would help mitigate exploitative ambiguity while maintaining the necessary flexibility of legal language. Ultimately, the study underscores that language in law is not neutral but a tool for both justice and manipulation, necessitating increased transparency and fairness in legal discourse.