Echoes of Imprisonment in Selected Poems from East and West Africa

Abstract

There are ugly indicators that prevent development in many human societies. Committed writers; poets, playwrights and novelists have shown concerns for the development of their societies. They write convincingly to engage some of the social vices, which hinder happy human existence. This article, therefore, investigates the social ills in selected poems from East and West African countries. The study is premised on close reading technique and content analysis and uses sociological approach to literature as its methodology. The choice of the selected poems is guided by the fact that the poets have inclination towards social changes. Findings reveal that the selected poems are centred on condemnation of sordid human conditions and social injustice in East African society.

Keywords: Imprisonment, Injustice, East Africa, Social Contract