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The Difficulty of Reintegration: Examining the Child Soldier’s Post-War Life in Selected African Novels Yeboah, Philomena Ama Okyeso; Otoo, Paul; Freitas, Philip Kwame; Abdul-Basit, Mohammed
ENGLISH FRANCA : Academic Journal of English Language and Education Vol. 7 No. 2 November (2023): ENGLISH FRANCA : Academic Journal of English Language and Education pr
Publisher : Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Curup

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.29240/ef.v7i2.8307

Abstract

Many research works on the child soldier phenomenon seem to focus largely on the war-time experiences of the child soldier. Consequently, great attention is given to the life of the child soldier during the war. This paper, through qualitative content analysis and the trauma theory (Cathy Caruth’s concept of belatedness and Dominick LaCapra’s concept of acting-out) pays particular attention to the child soldier’s life after the war and his preparedness towards reintegration. The difficulty that accompanies this exercise is what makes obvious the loss of the child soldier. Even though he is far away from the war, he becomes a troubled and lost child who struggles futilely to erase his war-time memories. The paper finds that the child soldier’s loss is often manifested in the form of extreme violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, identity crisis and the lack of trust. Also, the paper subtly questions rehabilitation as an absolute curative measure for the child who was once a vicious perpetrator of violence and chaos. The paper finds that although rehabilitation provides a serene environment for the former child soldier and attempts to normalize his difficult and painful memories in his present world, it does not completely heal him of his psychological pain and wound. 
EVERYDAY STORIES AND UNTOLD TALES OF INFERTILITY: A LITERARY EXAMINATION OF AYOBAMI ADEBAYO'S STAY WITH ME Yeboah, Philomena Ama Okyeso; Mohammed, Mariam; Freitas, Philip Kwame; Otoo, Paul
International Journal of Humanity Studies (IJHS) Vol 7, No 2 (2024): March 2024
Publisher : Sanata Dharma University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24071/ijhs.v7i2.6802

Abstract

Matters concerning infertility mostly hinge on societal narratives. This has led to a lot of misconceptions which have had great influence in the lives of people and society at large. Several literary works have given space to issues of infertility and have highlighted pertinent issues that have received too much or little attention from society. In this paper, using a qualitative methodological approach, disturbing discoveries concerning how the issue of infertility is handled in African societies have been made from Ayobami Adebayo's Stay With Me, highlighting the fact that all accusing eyes turn to the woman when the home is void of a child and the position men assume in such instances. Leaning on the theories of feminism and masculinity, this study seeks to expose the neglected aspect of infertility by highlighting the gaps in the ways infertility issues are handled in African societies and contributing to the knowledge bank of academia.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHILD SOLDIER IN UZODINMA IWEALA’S NOVEL, BEASTS OF NO NATION Yeboah, Philomena Ama Okyeso; Otoo, Paul; Freitas, Philip Kwame; Bonku, Lucy Korkoi; Issaka, Charity Azumi
Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Language Teaching Vol 6, No 2: December 2022
Publisher : Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU)

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.30743/ll.v6i2.6164

Abstract

The academic space has witnessed in recent times, a plethora of research works on child soldiering. However, the majority of these works are often viewed from a non-literary perspective. Using textual analysis which is purely qualitative in nature, this paper, from a literary perspective, focused on examining the representation of the child soldier figure in Iweala’s Beasts of No Nation by paying particular attention to the characterization of the child soldier as an individual who transitions from a victim of war to a victimizer. With the help of the trauma theory, the paper discussed and provided an understanding of the physiological factors and reactions that necessitate this transition. Based on Bloom’s concepts of trauma and the general theory of trauma, the paper finds that the child soldier transitions from a victim of war to a victimizer is a result of the fear that overwhelms him. Again, the child soldier undergoes this transition in order to survive the war – anarchetypal mammalian survival response. This study is significant as it has contributed to the existing literature on child soldier narratives in Africa and provided an understanding of the child soldier’s reactions and responses to the devastating trauma that accompanies war.
Some Womanist Inscriptions in Ebony Reigns’ Song Maame HwÉ›: A Literary Approach Yeboah, Philomena Ama Okyeso; Sanka, Confidence Gbolo; Bonku, Lucy Korkoi
k@ta: A Biannual Publication on the Study of Language and Literature Vol. 25 No. 1 (2023): JUNE 2023
Publisher : The English Department, Faculty of Humanities & Creative Industries, Petra Christian University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.9744/kata.25.1.16-30

Abstract

Music is a part of life in Ghana. Studying a people’s music brings one closer to understanding them since music and reality are intertwined. Despite this reality, the contribution of popular music to national discourse has not received adequate research attention in Ghana. This paper sets out to study the lyrics of one of the songs of Ebony Reigns (Opoku-Kwarteng Priscilla), a Ghanaian musician who died few years ago. Using the womanist theory, the paper investigates how the tenets of this theory are inscribed in the song, the problems that womanism addresses in the song and their implications to the Ghanaian youth. The researchers conclude from the analysis in the paper that the youth have to use social media with caution; they need to listen to advice from the elderly in choosing life partners and the African woman needs to fight for self-expression and liberation through positive cultural means.