Reflections of the Jos Crisis in Selected Short Stories of D. E. Kaze and Dul Johnson

Abstract

Nigeria is struggling with the challenge of ethno religious violence. This study is of the view that literary works can provide a safe forum for discourse that can create an opportunity for writers and critics to discuss the issue without apportioning blame but rather, show how the opposing camps can see that they are all victims of the violence and come together to move towards reconciliation. The study adopts the Literary Sociological approach to examine the text and context of selected short stories from D. E. Kaze‟s collection titled Eyelash Magic and Dul Johnson‟s collection titled Why Women Won’t Make it to Heaven. These stories employ the autobiographical narrative style to reveal the despondency and frustration of characters that are victims of ethno-religious violence. It is hoped that out of the ruins arising from these hostilities shall spring further creativity and critical input that will stem such hostilities in the future. Literature, thus, becomes a preemptive remedy.