Felix Mnthali goes on a tyrant about literature being taught in African culture. He does not see how African students can be taught African literature by English writers. He brings up Jane Austin as one of these authors. I have never read any of her books. I have, however, heard a great deal about "Pride and Prejudice" and have seen parts of the movie, not that it's a good comparison since the book is ALWAYS better, but I guess it's a start. The plot is indeed a poor girl meeting a rich guy, they fall in love, blah blah blah same story line as any English speaking love story. As sick as these stories make me I do love them, however, I do not see how it is useful to African cultures in terms of education about their culture.
Mnthali rants in such a way that it makes the reader think anyone who disagrees is simply mad. Mnthali asks, "How could questions be asked at Makeree and Ibadan, Dakar and Ford Hare' - with Jane Austin at the centre?" How do these stories relate to their situations? How are they relevant to their culture? In the time span this poem was written, I agree with Mnthali, however, in today's day in age, with the way language is being transformed and everyone is learning a little bit from everyone. English has become the universal language of the world so even if there is not a want for it, people who do not speak English are seeking the need to learn. The trick is to not let your culture suffer due to the change. Jane Austin: Einstein of Literature.
