Social theory of alienation and psychoanalysis: Towards an understanding of human alienation and insanity in E.S. Madima's A si ene

Abstract

The Marxist social theory of alienation and psychoanalytical approaches are used in this article totrace and highlight human alienation which is recorded in a literary text entitled A si ene – 'It's notthe one' (Madima, 1984). This article demonstrates the extent and manner in which human alienation/estrangement disrupts and stifles human life.It is also argued in this article that literary studies can be enriched and developed by exploringand identifying the areas where it interfaces with other fields of study. To make this field of studyattractive and functional, literary scholars need to participate in the creation of a body of knowledgethat empowers and enriches human life. Literary scholars and critics need to validate the claim that abody of knowledge that is generated in this discipline enhances an understanding of the complexitiesof human nature and human life. With the knowledge generated in this field of study, human beingsshould be able to understand themselves and their situations more thoroughly, as they will be equippedwith skills to deal with their vexing situations. In simple terms, this means that this field of studyexhorts people to be critical and to be able to form opinions about the complexities of human nature.