Revisiting Critiques of Socialist Realism in Selected African Novels

Abstract

This work examines prevailing critiques of socialist realism in selected African novels using Ngugi’s Petals of Blood, Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People and Iyayi’s Violence, The Contract and Heroes. The underlying fact in the choice of these literary works is premised on the struggle for power and political relevance as reflected in these selected works. The works show that the doctrine of socialist realism suggests that change in society is historically necessary and inevitable. Also, realists agree that those problems can be overcome only by the liquidation of the capitalist state, hence, it does not at all subscribe to reformism; rather it opts for a revolutionary change in society.