IGBO PROSE AS A REFLECTION OF SOCIETAL ISSUES: A STUDY OF SELECTED WORKS

Abstract

The study of literature is the study of life in which the people see the society through the writer’s eyes. This paper examines Igbo literature as a medium for representation of contemporary issues of the society. Some studies which evidenced that literature is a reflection of societal issues have been in existence. Most just emphasized on the importance of literature to the society and often see Igbo literature as that which only portrays the lives of the Igbo people alone, but no previous works or studies have extensively used Mmiri Ọkụ E Ji Egbu Mbe and Ugonna to represent Igbo prose as a reflection of societal issues, hence the need for this present study which hopes to showcase and identify these societal issues for the interest of the members of the society and for the enhancement of wider readership of Igbo literary works. The societal issues brought out from these selected texts will help serve as an eye opener to readers and make them realize the obvious things that happen in the society where they will learn and find out things about life and living.