On the Abolition of English Department by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

 

Points in the essay “On the abolition of the English Department”

On the abolition of the English Department is the criticism on the paper which was presented in the university of Nairobi. Ngugi Wa Thiongo who was not satisfied by the proposal present an argument.

Title of the document is very captivating but we can understand it after reading the other side of controversy. He presented 20 points in this documents. Overview of these points are given below.

1.     1. Give a reference of the paper on which this document is presented

2.     2.  Proposal presented on the development within the Art faculty

3.     3.  Question was raised on problems of values

4.      4. Question the role and status of an English department in African environment

5.      5. Question the Roots of English tradition in the conscious and cultural heritage

6.     6.  Main question on the historic continuity of single culture not African or any other culture

7.      7. Present the aim

8.      8. Suggestions for the set up of African literature and languages

9.      9. African literature as active and alive force

10. 10.  Give a reason that why language and linguistic should be studied in department

11.  11. Type of literature should be offered in Department

12.  12. Art in form of living tradition

13.  13. Swahili literature

14.  14. Freedom of choice in representative Literature (European Literature)

15.  15. Modern African Literature

16.  16. Drama as an integral part of literature

17.  17. Relationship with other department

18.  18. Suggestion for the specialized courses

19. 19.  Envision for an active Graduate school

20.  20.Question the literary excellence and and give importance to representative work.

Q1. Ngugi Wa Thiogo essay “On the abolition of the English Department” is presented against which paper and what was written in that paper? And why he was against the English Department?

Ans. In the first point, he gives us reference and told us that this whole document he is going to present is basically a comment in the paper. Comment is usually a remark which we express in favor of something or against it. That paper was given by the Acting Head of English department at Nairobi University.It was presented on 20th September, 1968 in the 42nd meeting.

The four proposal was presented in that paper which were related to development in the department. Firstly, that the modern languages esp. French should be given place and taught in the university. Secondly, that English should be given centrality due to his historic continuity and role. Thirdly, Department of literature and linguistics should be established. And last one is that, African language should also be placed esp. Swahili.

The fourth point has importance in the paper because that African Literature and culture is now anticipated. There was a lot of debating on that paper because it raised the important question on value, direction and orientation.

Ngugi raise the question about 2^nd proposal which was about the role and status of English Department in African environment and culture. He quoted from the paper that “English has had the long history at this college”

In the above quoted words, the paper is referring towards the rule of West over the Africa and presenting the embedded culture in the mind of African people. Ngugi disagree at that point and demands the abolition of English Department.