Literary Techniques in Selected Nigerian Novels

Abstract

This work focused on form and content of literary techniques in select Nigerian novels. Tanure 
Ojaide in The Activist (2006), Ngozi Chuma-Udeh in The Presidential Handshake (2013) and 
Teachers On Strike (2005), Helon Habila in Waiting For An Angel (2003) and Florence 
Orabueze in Men Behind The Masks (2010) provide the anchor for the evaluation and 
appropriation of literary devices employed by the novelists. The concern of Nigerian post
independence literature is to put fore through different means how bad governance has been the 
foundation of high percentage of political, economic, religious, social conflict in Nigeria leading 
to instability and social dislocation of the governed from the mainstream Nigerian society. 
Literature is seen to be the product of the society and should reflect the happenings of the 
society. This study demonstrates with adequate examples from the novels how the novelists 
utilized literary devices which constitute the major influence in the five novels. The study seeks 
to broaden the relationship between literature and literary techniques. This research explores the 
major techniques visible in the novels. This study employs the content analysis approach to 
qualitative research methodology. The conceptual framework is resistance and theoretical 
framework is Marxism and sociological approach to literature. This research ultimately 
highlights literary techniques as standardized methods writers use to convey and enhance their 
literary works as literary techniques further help writers to create the required enlightening 
effect. This study proves the importance of literary techniques in literature as well as deepens 
literary scholarship on Nigerian novels.