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The Subtle Plague: Materialistic Visage of Neocolonialism and Its Consequences in Armah’s Fragments


OV Ogbeide

Abstract

This paper examines the materialistic visage of neocolonialism in Ayi Kwei
Armah’s Fragments. While neocolonialism is often seen in African leaders’
role as stooges of the erstwhile colonial powers in order to perpetuate
themselves in office, this paper argues that the masses’ unbridled penchant
for foreign goods and life styles is itself another form of neocolonialism,
albeit subtle. This paper not only sees this development as part of the “new
realism” which came in the wake of political independence but also posits
that the way forward in the continent may lie in nonconformity, its
repercussions notwithstanding and a return to the way of production, human
relationship and reciprocity as symbolized by the visionary Naana.

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eISSN: 2070-0083
print ISSN: 1994-9057