THE NOVEL AS A TRANSGRESSIVE DOCUMENT

It is said that no work of art is written in vacuum, so there is history and intent. Hence literature as a field through the novel is a driving force breaking boundaries. It speaks for the unheard, it acts as a mechanism camouflaging and taking on any form it needs to take. It could be a weapon or a voice of reason which perception is determinant. The novel thus acts as a voice, as a pursuit of minority to speak the unspoken, unexpressed and undeclared, breaking free of confines probably in use of language as seen with Ngugi, who decided to write in Gikuyu language for better expression of African consciousness also, the inclusion of certain terms and remarks which are indicative of an African language. To reveal issues that some term perhaps controversial and unpleasant. Rape, sex, homosexuality and equal rights for women are disregarded in the African domain. The novel helps through characters and symbols, to push forth these ideas to form and reform philosophies and ways of living. The novel then being transgressive, changes the status quo bringing about a paradigm shift in the norm which excites discourages or inspires a perception.

Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Trees is indicative of treating the discourse of homosexuality. This topples the original biological setting and understanding of heterosexual relationship. In an African domain this is an issue that is hushed for it has a negative sense. The text through Ijeoma the protagonist downplays the patriarchal system because she finds no pleasure sexually or otherwise being with a man, which certainly defies the system.  It goes on to further explore the acceptance in a society that is not tolerant of that kind of sexuality. It is evident in the text, when Ijeoma has a close call with death at a gay bar with her partner Ndidi. This is an undisclosed place only known only to the homosexuals. She is able to hide from danger but comes out the next morning to see the corpse of a friend, who was burnt alive for being homosexual. It is a taboo subject to be discussed or imagined and so they live in fear. The African sphere is keen on heterosexual relationships, that when her mother got to know of her daughters’ relationship with Amina she is disappointed. She then tries to take hold psychologically of her daughters’ sexuality, using illustrations and passages from the bible to make her recognize she is on the wrong path. Under the Udala Tree is most definitely is subversive and transgressive in its concerns, different from the traditional thematic concerns of African literature there by speaking for the unheard in the African domain.