The Role of Literary Criticism

Abstract

There is a very close relationship between modern Black African writers and their critics. In fact, many authors deal in criticism themselves, while the critics sometimes present concrete examples of their theoretical ideas. They also meet quite often at conferences, festivals, etc. This relationship results partly from the general scarcity of intellectuals in Black Africa, and partly from the fact that a number of questions having to do with creative methods and aspirations have not yet been cleared up. While many European and American theorists devote their attention to the classics and works written long ago, African critics concentrate mostly on contemporary production and its topical aspects. Naturally, one of their tasks is to give young authors advice and basic instruction and sometimes even encourage them a bit. But this relationship is not so one-sided. The critic’s opinion is not always blindly accepted and obeyed by the writer. As a matter of fact, some literary works constitute a polemic reply to the critic’s view; this reply may not be explicit, but merely indirect or implied. Such an exchange of opinions is necessary in the dynamic, passion-charged atmosphere in which the literature of Africa is developing.