Echoes of Place: Memory, Identity and the Ecosystem in Selected Anglophone Cameroon Literary Novels

Wirngo, Bongfen Derick 

Abstract 

This study explores the complex, yet fundamental, relationship between memory, identity and the ecosystem in selected Anglophone Cameroon novels; emphasing how the ecosystem in these communities coalesces to shape the narratives and cultural expressions of the region. The study stems from the backdrop of the continuous recurrence of identity and environmental crises in Anglophone Cameroon (Literature) which thereby hindering peace, unity and national integration in Cameroon. As characters navigate their environments, they confront the impacts of colonialism, globalisation, and environmental degradation, which challenge their sense of belonging.  The integration of memory and place underscores the resilience of cultural identities, demonstrating how they adapt while remaining rooted in their ecosystems. The study blends three theoretical lenses; Jan Assmann’s cultural memory, ecocultural memory and Ngetcham’s Literary Archeology, to examine how the ecosystem intertwine with indigenous identities and fashions memories of characters in the region. The question posed was, what role does the ecosystem play in shaping the indigenous identities and collective memories in the selected novels? The paper hypothesises that the natural environment plays central roles in shaping and influencing collective memories and identities in Anglophone Cameroon Literature. The analysis reveals that, the novels serve as vessels for ecological awareness, emphasising the importance of the natural world in shaping characters’ identities and collective memories. It adds that, these narratives advocate for a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of memory, identity, and the environment. By engaging with these themes, the paper contends that, the continuous recurrence of identity issues in Anglophone Cameroon Literature points to the urgency of a crisis that is yet to be resolved. The paper concludes by crusading readers and stakeholders to engage in profound knowledge of indigenous’ ‘biotic citizenship’ in decision-making towards conflict resolution. 

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Published: July 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 07]

Gandhianism and the Imprints of Colonial Era Western Education on the Postcolonial Indian Education System

Rupsha Ghosh

 Abstract 

This paper examines the relevance of the Gandhian perspective on education to the postcolonial study of Western education in the 19th and early 20th century India. This paper will look at the various facets of Western education being discussed by contemporary writers. To verify their resonance with Gandhi’s thoughts, the paper would thematically compare the tenets of Western education in British India and the Gandhian responses to them. Gandhi’s alternatives to such Western education and the Indian criticisms of this program will also be discussed. By assessing the relevance of Gandhi’s vision on education, the paper would trace the extent of colonial remnants in the education system of the present times.

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Published: June 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 06]

Fragmented Voices, Shared Histories: Historical Reconstruction in Toni Morrison’s A Mercy

Nidhu Kumar Dhar

Abstract

The present paper aims to explore the way Toni Morrison, in her ninth novel ‘A Mercy’, rewrites the history of early America by representing the experiences of marginalised and diverse groups of people. Published in 2008, Morrison’s ‘A Mercy’ takes the twenty-first-century readers to an early period in American history and explores the predicaments of white settlers, enslaved Africans, Native Americans, and the white indentured labourers. The novel particularly focuses on the desperate act of an enslaved African American mother in offering her daughter to a stranger and the consequences of that act. By analysing Morrison’s novel and exploring the experiences of different characters, who are stripped of any roots, stability, and perhaps a place called “home,” the paper argues that Morrison deconstructs the foundation myth of America and offers a multi-perspective narrative of the past. 

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Published: June 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 06]

The Ghostly Echoes of the Past: A Postcolonial Reading of Hullaballoo

Bikramjit Sen

Abstract

Kiran Desai's ‘Hullaballoo in the Guava Orchard’ is a poignant exploration of postcolonial India. It delves into the intricate interplay of memory, history, and colonialism's enduring legacy. Through a unique blend of magical realism and historical fiction, Desai constructs a narrative that critiques the distortions of historical narratives, the burden of the past on the present, and the search for authentic identity in a nation grappling with its colonial past.

    The novel's setting, the fictional town of Shahkot, serves as a microcosm of India's broader societal and political landscape. Desai employs magical realism to challenge linear narratives and conventional historical accounts, highlighting the subjective nature of memory and the fluidity of time. By blurring the lines between the real and the fantasy, the author invites readers to question the veracity of historical records and to consider alternative perspectives.

    Furthermore, ‘Hullaballoo in the Guava Orchard’ explores colonialism's psychological impact on individuals and communities. The characters in the novel are haunted by the ghosts of the past, unable to fully escape the shadows of their colonial heritage. Desai's portrayal of these characters reveals colonialism's enduring trauma and its lasting effects on generations to come. Ultimately, the novel suggests that true liberation lies in confronting the past, acknowledging its complexities, and forging a new path.

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Published: December 2024 [Vol. 07, No. 12]

Wonderland as Metaphor: An Analysis of Symbolism and Themes in Carroll’s Works

 Dr. Umeshkumar J. Solanki

Abstract

This paper delves into the fantastical world of Lewis Carroll's beloved classics, ‘Alice's Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking-Glass’, to explore the notion that children's literature itself is a rabbit hole that warrants further examination. By employing a critical lens, this research navigates the complexities of Carroll's narratives, revealing the ways in which they subvert and challenge traditional notions of childhood, identity, and reality. Through a close reading of the texts, this study uncovers the ways in which Carroll's use of absurdity, illogic, and wordplay creates a sense of disorientation, mirroring Alice's own experiences down the rabbit hole. This disorientation, in turn, prompts a reevaluation of the boundaries between childhood and adulthood, reality and fantasy, and the role of children's literature in shaping our understanding of these concepts.

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Published: April 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 04]