AUTHORIAL VOICE AND SYMBOLISM IN OKOT P'BITEK'S SONG OF LAWINO AND SONG OF 'OCOL
Abstract
The research is a study of authorial voice and symbolism in Okot p' Bitek's Song of Lawino
and Song of Ocol. In line with this, attention is given to the manner in which the author
presents social issues in the text that bother on identity, culture, language, in a peculiar
narrative angle. These issues are addressed in the text from a unique point of view that
relies heavily on the author's exploit of the Acoli indigenous idioms, and his prowess in
using appropriate symbols to tell a depict the social issues about the lives of East Africans.
To achieve this, the research examines the dialogue, use of songs, praise names, imagery
used by the author to carve out a unique authorial voice. Therefore, the narrative devices are
studied using the Semantic Stylistic Theory lens and a qualitative literary analysis
methodology. Thus, the findings of the research reveal that p'Bitek's Song of Lawino and
Song of Ocol has a unique narrative sensibility that truly defines the creative expertise of the
author. This leads to the conclusion that apart from the thematic issues of clash of culture,
modernity versus tradition, identity, culture, politics and others that inform the writing of
the text, there is in the poems a unique authorial voice and symbolism that truly defines the
artistic inclinations of the author as a unique African poet.
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.