Bound to Violence by Yambo Ouologuem

UMALI, Ezra A. BSN 3A1-4 Opinion Paper

July 09, 2013

THE AGONY OF BLACKS TOWARDS POSTCOLONIAL MERCHANDISE IN SEARCH OF AUTHENTICITY IN OUOLOGUEMS BOUND TO VIOLENCE

I.

Introduction A. Introductory ideas and background information (definition of catharsis, Filipinos current condition, the author, etc.) B. Thesis statement (scope of discussion) Example: Bound to Violence is a very controversial novel written by a Malian writer, Yambo Ouologuem, who was raised by a couple of a landowner and a school inspector in Bandiagara, Dogon, Mali. Ouologuem was considered the first African to receive the French Prix Renaudot for his book in 1968. Eventually, the novel was charged with plagiarism with Graham Greenes Its a Battlefield (1934). This paper will try its best to serve evidences of authenticity not only to the identity of Africa and Blacks as to what the author was aiming to do so, but also to the authenticity of the novel versus the alleged plagiarism.

II.

Character Analysis A. Saif ben Isaac al-Heit vs. Abb Henry B. Bouremi C. Tambira Example: Tambira. Tambira is the representation of all abused women in Nakem Empire. She depicts the picture of the most oppressed (aside from Anna-Kadidia Kassoumi who has the other side of oppression). Infibulation is a taboo practice and women have the most ill

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punishments on infidelity. Yet, no one complains. All women in the novel accept everything what happens to them without any single complain or inquiry. They are considered producers of laborers for the Empire and that was the reason why Saif managed their marriage to produce children who will study and be manufacturers to the Empire. In entirety, women are considered instruments and possessions not humans. In this case, Tambira never found her identity, justice, and freedom.

III.

Synopsis (sample only) The novel is divided into four chapters: The Legend of the Saifs, Ecstasy and Agony, The Night of the Giants, and Dawn, chronologically. Chapter three has the longest part where there are ten subdivisions which show the meticulous transformation of the Empire and its characters towards colonialism. The name Saif has been a powerful title that can recount legends from centuries to centuries. The first Saif existed in the history of Nakem Empire was Saif Moshe Gabbai of Honain. Due to a prophecy that he would be overthrown by a child to be born during the coming year; he orders all newborn babies be sent to the red death and line up their shrunken heads along the wall of his antechamber. But, Tiebiramina saves her newborn baby under cover and goes to Gagol-Gosso. Thus, the name Isaac al-Heit, her son, has become a legend since then. The people of the Empire hope that they would be freed from violence through him. After several battles among different tribes that he has won, he defeats Saif Moshe Gabbai of Honain. Afterwards, the Saif marches to Yame River and descends from his throne leaving the power and title Saif to Isaac al-Heit.

IV.

Discussion (sample only) To be bound to violence for the black man consists of being more conscious about himself, seeing things in a wide context and not from the point of view of a local tribe. (Kuehl, 1971) That was the stated main concern of the book according to Ouologuem. But, what is Bound to Violence really meant? How is violence defined in the novel? I have thought of Ouologuems employment of sadomasochism. He intentionally presented violence in the

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novel to tease out the authentic identity of the Blacks and Africa. Similarly, it is a postcolonial characteristic on how Ouologuem re-writes the history of Africa and redefines the Blacks in wide range of perspective not only as an African. Ironically, a person may not also find the true meaning of what he is doing if he would not be able to experience and realize it; and note that not all experiences are good. Sometimes, the best of things comes out from the worst of things. So, for Ouologuem, violence is a means of knowing their identity more; not just in a nice way. Remember, he said that the whites are not the only enemy in the novel; moreover, he is not writing in a French perspective.

V.

Generalization Whether the novel is a work of plagiarism or not; theres no reason to condemn it. Critics are created and we cannot please everybody. One may tell me that Im too immature to be a critic of this novel because I lack information and resources; but for me even though its too difficult to read I appreciate the uniqueness of its creation. I have known that Philippines is not the only country that is being much oppressed; there are countries which are much more oppressed than us. I dont find Ouologuem as arrogant as what critics used to say in pl agiarizing things. His purpose is clear; and that what made me convinced of the content of the novel. Actually, he is too intelligent to tell history in those ranges of generations with fictitious characters and metaphorical ideas in a single novel. It is very rich that it can go beyond post-colonial theory. If the focused theory has not been set, maybe I am also lost in analyzing it that I may use different theories.

VI.

Bibliography Ouologuem, Y., trans. Manheim, R. Bound to Violence. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.: London. 1971. Kuehl, L. Interviewed on June 11, 1971. Updated on February 04, 2012. Bound to Violence: Yambo Ouologuem (on Violence, Truth, and Black History). Chicken Bones: A Journal for Literary and Artistic African-American Themes. Retrieved from http://www.nathanielturner.com/yamboouologuem.htm on September 14, 2012.

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Posner, R. Posted by Singh, A. on January 09, 2007. Richard Posner on Plagiarism; the Case of Yambo Ouloguem. the Valve: A Literary Organ. Retrieved from http://www.thevalve.org/go/valve/article/richard_posner_on_plagiarism_the_case_of_yambo _ouloguem/ on September 14, 2012. --. Updated on July 08, 2008. Biography of Yambo Ouologuem. African Success: People changing the face of Africa. Retrieved from http://www.africansuccess.org/visuFiche.php?id=329&lang=en on September 14, 2012. --. Copyrighted on 2001-2010. The complete reviews Review. the complete review. Retrieved from http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/mali/ouology.htm on September 14, 2012. --. Updated on February 04, 2012. Bound to Violence: Yambo Ouologuem (Bio-Sketch and Review). Chicken Bones: A Journal for Literary and Artistic African-American Themes. Retrieved from http://www.nathanielturner.com/yamboouologuem2.htm on September 14, 2012. --. 1998. 1972: Literature, American: The hoax. Colliers Year Book; Encarta Yearbook. Microsoft Corporation: 2007.

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