Wole Soyinka

This study reconsiders Soyinka's contribution to the debate about African identity, exploring the various elements constituting Is distinctive aesthetic and apprehension of African culture. It concentrates on his plays, his fiction and poetry and investigates his views on the relationship between myth, history, and modernity, primarily highlighting his conception of the nature of African post-colonial society and power. It also looks at Soyinka's exploration of the metaphysical aspects of evil, particularly as manifested in political violence, and examines his belief in the irrepressibility of the human desire to transcend any form of political, spiritual and social oppression.

Mpalive-Hangson Msiska lectures in English and Humanities at Birkbeck College, University of London where he teaches courses on post-colonial literature, including African literature, among others. He is co-author of The Quiet Chameleon: A Study of Modern Poetry from Central Africa (1992) and co-editor of Writing and Africa (1997).