Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature Commons^™

Violent Fathers And Runaway Sons: Colonial Relationships In Une Vie De Boy And Mission Terminée , Laurie Corbin

Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature

This study examines familial relationships in two novels published by Ferdinand Oyono and Mongo Beti shortly before Cameroon's independence in 1960, making use of three levels of analysis. The first shows the impact of colonization on familial and social structures, in particular the ways in which the weakening of the traditional hierarchy leads to the flight of young men from their families and villages. The second looks at the two novels as showing the relationship of France (who was often represented as a kindly parent to its colonies), the colonized countries, and their citizens: the unpredictable and brutal father can …