CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In any given literature text, there are always certain obligatory attributes which qualify it to be one. Some of which are the plot, setting, themes, social-issues and so on.
These make the text “THE DRUMMER BOY” by CYPRIAN EKWENSI a relevant literary text to be studied. Since these literary attributes abound in the text.
The “Drummer Boy by Cyprian Ekwensi, is written in the English – Language, and it is for the readers of literature texts, whether in the filed of Literature – in English or otherwise. Indeed, the author strove hard to reach the readers mind in an effort to touch their inner most and intimate beings.
“The drummer Boy” is a prose work which is written to suit the African society to express his view that “There is ability in disability”.
Social issues on the other hand are matters which need necessary attention in any society or country.
According to Effong (2004) Social issues are viewed as important, topics that are capable of causing or are even causing difficulties in a given society. In relation to this research work, the importance of social occurrences which are show cased in the text “THE DRUMMER BOY” BY “CYPRIAN EKWENSI” is the focus of attention.
1.1 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LIFE HISTORY
CYPRIAN EKWENSI was born at Minna, Niger State in Nigeria, on September 26, 1921. His father was CYPRIAN DAVID ANADUMAKA, a story teller and elephant hunter.
CYPRIAN EKWENSI got married on July 16, 1950, to EUNICE ANYIWO and they had five (5) children.
After a lot of commitment CYPRIAN EKWENSI died on November 4, 2007.
EDUCATION
CYPRIAN EKWENSI attended Government College in Ibadan, Oyo State, Achimota College in Ghana and the school of Forestry, Ibadan, after which he worker for two years as a forestry officer.
He also studied pharmacy at Yaba Technical Institute, Lagos, School of Pharmacy and at the Chelsea School of Pharmacy at the University of London.
CAREER
Cyprian Ekwensi was once a teacher at Igbobi College in Surulere, Lagos State, after which he was employed as the Head of Features at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), by the Ministry of Information during the First Republic. He eventually became the Director of the latter, from which he resigned his position in 1966, before the civil war and moved to Enugu State with his family. He also serves as chairperson of the Bureau for External Publicity of Biafra, prior to its re-absorption by Nigeria.
LITERARY CAREER
CYPRIAN EKWENSI is a writer of short stories and children’s text, he wrote hundreds of short stories, radio and television scripts, and several dozen novels including children’s books as earlier noted. His 1954 ‘People of City’ was the first book by a Nigerian Academy of letters. He was also a member of the Association of Nigerian Author (ANA), and was having intention to present him with an award on November 16, 2007, before his death. Nevertheless this converted the honour to posthumous award.
OCCUPATION
Cyprian Ekwensi was a pharmacist, broadcaster teacher and an author, during his life span.
1.2 ABOUT THE BOOK
THE DRUMMER BOY BY CYPRIAN EKWENSI was first published in the year 1960 and since then, it has undergone several reprinted publications.
The text is a prose, based on the life of Bejamin ‘Kokoro’ Aderounmu making it a graphical text, meaning. The drummer boy is a story of Benjamin Kokoro Aderounmu but was written by CYPRIAN EKWENSI.
The Drummer boy is the story of a talented blind boy who showcased his excellent skills in drumming and singing, but unfortunately, had no parental care due to his physical disability. This boy, named Akin in the text is major character. Akin moved from place to place entertaining people with his performance but the perceptive and powerful description of the wandering, homeless and poverty – stricken life of Akin could not be over emphasize in the text.
Despite, the joy which Akin Derived from his favorite hobby (drumming), deep down in his mind, there was an undisclosed unhappiness, which can be categorized as some of the social issues in the text, which be handled in the next chapter of this project work.
1.3 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
This research work, is focused on the study of the social issues in, The Drummer Boy by Cyprian Ekwensi. In the process of the study the views of different scholars on the concept of social issues, the effects, reasons for and implications of these social issues will also be considerewd.
Also, there is going to be the literary appreciation of the text “The Drummer Boy” by Cyprian Ekwensi in this on the plot account, setting, subject matte poetic devices, thematic structure, characterization among other thing in this work.
1.4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This research work, is determined to look into the different social issues that are revealed in the text, The Drummer Boy by Cyrian Ekwensi, which will also be of use to the society that is being showcased in the literary environment of the text.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This work stands out as important and useful when one considers the challenges faced by the hero (Akin) in the text, The Drummer Boy.
On a larger view, this research is also vital, when observing how the disabled ones are being treated in the society, since most human beings believe that people without sight are in total darkness and can be cheated, connoting that believe that the blind one should be maltreated in the society as in the case of the her of the text who could not find true happiness and trust amidst his numerous friends.
Therefore will be of great benefit to the disabled ones in the society and those who in one way or the other are involves in dealing with or assigning roles to the disabled ones. Also, it will be of much comfort to people who think that their disability, is the end of their opportunity to establish their talents since at the end of the text, the hero (Akin) was considered a genius and a source joy to others.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is based on the social issues that are peculiar to the text, The Drummer Boy, by Cyprian Ekwensi, in line with the literary appreciation of the text.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research work, covers the diverse social issues in the Drummer Boy by Cyprian Ekwensi and will have loved to look further into the contemporary issues that are involves which may include cultural, political, and physical issues but due to limited time and financial burden only the social issues in the text will be considered.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
In order, to have a clear picture and understanding of this research work, the researcher will like to define some terms used in this research so as to avoid any form of ambiguity.
Strive: To try very hard to achieve a particular thing.
Diverse: Very different form each other and various kinds.
Attributes: Something which is believes by someone and is of practice of that individual.
Ability: A level of skill or intelligence of a person.
Disability: A physical condition, which means an individual, cannot use a part of his/her body completely.
Commitment: To behave in a particular way or to carryout some functions which are expected of an individual in a particular place.
Endeavour: An attempt to do something with much effort.
Publication: The act of making a book available for sale.
Biography: An account of a person’s life written by someone else.
Talent: A special natural ability or skills.
Homelessness: The process of being without, a particular place of living.