TLT 301 EAST AFRICAN PROSE

GROUP ASSIGNMENT
GROUP MEMBERS
[1.] 1.NAIMA ABDINOOR MUSA-E35/6480/2021
[2.] EVANS ODEMBA ODHIAMBO-E35/4803/2021
[3.] CHRISTER MOKE KERONGO-E35/55225/2012
[4.] SHARON NUNGA MWATI-E35/6589/2021
[5.] OCHIENG PETER OCHIENG-E35/6585/2021
[6.] SAMMY ELIZABETH MBETE-E35/45645/2017
[7.] MAUREEN AKOTH AKOTH-E35/45588/2017
[8.] ABDIFATAH ABDIRAHMAN MOHAMED-E35/4373/2021
[9.] OLORRIDAI P HELEL-E35/5088/2021.
[10.] IQRAN ABDI-E35/6722/2021
[11.] MUTHONI HARRIET MUMBI-E35/6103/2020
[12.] CECILIA KATUNGE-E35/6113/2020
[13.] FAITH ODHIAMBO-E35/5125/2021
[14.] EVERLINE NJERI WANYAGA-E35/5287/2021
[15.] HARRIET MUMBI MUTHONI-E35/6103/2020.

14/20

L
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PARADISE BY ABDULRAZAK GURNAH

ABDULRAZAK’ S LIFE AND THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF PARADISE

British author and scholar Abdulrazak Gurnah was born in Tanzania and is renowned for his
perceptive writings that frequently address issues of migration, displacement, and the complexity
of identity. Gurnah was born on December 20, 1948, in Zanzibar, which is now a part of
Tanzania and was once a British protectorate. The early years of Gurnah's existence were
characterized by the political and historical unrest in the area.
Gurnah was influenced by the aftermath of the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964 since his family was
part of the minority population of Zanzibari Arabs, who were subject to persecution. The region
saw profound social and political transformation as a result of the overthrow of the Arab ruling
class during this revolution. During this period, Gurnah's family endured persecution and
hardship, which had a long-lasting effect on how he understood authority.
Gurnah relocated to the UK in the late 1960s in order to pursue further studies. After completing
his English studies at the University of London, he went on to the University of Kent to get his
Ph.D. in literature. Following his academic career, Gurnah was hired as an English and
Postcolonial Literatures professor at the University of Kent, where he helped further knowledge
of African, Caribbean, and other postcolonial literature.
Abdulrazak Gurnah's personal background has greatly influenced the themes and ideas in his
book "Paradise," especially his upbringing in Zanzibar and the effects of the Zanzibar
Revolution. Gurnah's sophisticated awareness of the nuances of identity, displacement, and
colonialism is evident in this 1994 novel, which is set against the backdrop of political and
historical events in East Africa.
Among the greatest influences include the Zanzibar Revolution. Gurnah's family endured
problems both during and after the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution since they were members of the
oppressed Arab minority in Zanzibar. Gurnah was greatly impacted by this historical event,
which aimed to topple the Arab ruling class, in terms of power relations, social unrest, and the
effects of political change. Gurnah examines how such revolutionary events impact both
individual lives and communities in "Paradise," which delves into their aftermath.
Themes of Migration and Displacement. The recurrent topic of "Paradise" is displacement,
which is mirrored in Gurnah's personal trip from Zanzibar to the United Kingdom for higher
education. The novel's characters frequently go through forced migration as a result of political
unrest, economic hardships, or colonial legacies. Gurnah's sympathetic depiction of people
overcoming the difficulties of migration and looking for a sense of belonging was probably
influenced by his own experiences.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Starting with the title, “Paradise" by Abdulrazak Gurnah is intriguing and thought-provoking. It
suggests that the book explores the concept of paradise and its underlying structure, possibly
questioning its existence or challenging conventional notions of what paradise truly is.In
Gurnah's book, the author delves into the lives of the characters and their experiences within
paradise, which is represented by the island of Zanzibar. Set during the period of British
colonialism, the novel explores the complex interactions between different cultures, races, and
classes.
The concept of paradise is a multifaceted symbol in the novel.First,it symbolizes cultural Identity
and home.From the setting Tanganyika,Tanzania the area in which Yusuf travels with Aziz is
located in the richest rainforest and breathtaking Mt .Kilimanjaro is a beautiful place which can
be seen as a paradise.In addition,Azziz owns a home with a garden that resembles a
paradise .The novel also indicates that when Yusuf travels to trade he meets Husein a shopkeeper
who involves them in a conversation about how the Europeans may grab their paradise.
Paradise also embodies the cultural and familial roots disrupted by colonialism. It represents the
lost way of life, traditions, and sense of belonging.At the beginning of the story, paradise
represents Yusuf's idyllic life before he is captured and enslaved.The loss of freedom and the
brutality of the slave trade contrast sharply with Yusuf's initial concept of paradise.
As Yusuf embarks on his journey of hardships and tribulations, paradise becomes a metaphor to a
quest for freedom and the desire to escape the hardships of slavery and live free from oppression
and exploitation.It becomes ironical when Yusuf yearns to get out of that beautiful place which
is Azziz's environment because brutality is happening.
The concept of paradise transforms into a symbol of resistance against British colonialism.
Gurnah explores how the pursuit of paradise aligns with the broader struggle for independence
and self-determination and how characters strive to reclaim their life back and resist cultural
imposition.
One instance in the book that reflects the title is the portrayal of Zanzibar as a paradise for some,
particularly the British colonizers who enjoy a life of luxury and privilege. They exploit the land
and its resources, imposing their own structures and systems on the island. This highlights the
power dynamics and inherent inequalities within the paradise that is constructed by the
colonizers.However, Gurnah also explores the perspective of the indigenous people of Zanzibar,
who experience a different reality within this paradise. They are subjected to oppression,
exploitation, and cultural erasure. Their paradise is shattered, and they are left struggling to
maintain their identity and way of life amidst the structures imposed upon them.
Through the characters' experiences, Gurnah raises questions about the nature of paradise and
the structures that uphold it. He challenges the notion that paradise is a fixed and universally
desirable concept, suggesting that it can be subjective and dependent on one's position within
society.Overall, "Structure of Paradise" by Abdulrazak Gurnah offers a nuanced exploration of
paradise, its construction, and the impact of power structures within it. The title encapsulates the
themes and ideas that are explored throughout the book, providing readers with a deeper
understanding of the complexities of paradise and its underlying structure.
The narrative style of Gurnah’s paradise is dispersed and disordered. This dispersion shows how
Abdulrazak’s life changes when he moves from Zanzibar to Britain to continue his education, the
national history of East Africa, and also reveals the importance of culture and spiritual
orientation. When he moves to London, Gurnah becomes a stranger to his own homeland. His
dispersed narrative style is not only seen through his life but is also evident in the social reality
of the characters he uses in his book, and also in writing the history of Tanzania and East Africa
at large. In order to understand the formation of his narrative style, we have to go through the
cultural influences, historical contexts, and social experiences narrated in his book.
Zanzibar, which is Abdulrazak’s homeland, goes through several regimes, from the local sultans,
to the colonizers who later take over the region. Zanzibar is located at the coastal area of East
Africa. Due to its superior location, Zanzibar gradually became a prominent trading area. Arabs
would come with goods from Oman and go to the interior where they would trade those goods
for other goods including slaves. Zanzibar’s economy had developed rapidly and this brought
the Portuguese, whose colonialism expanded throughout Zanzibar. A while after, the local natives
began revolting against colonialism and the Omani Arabs took over Zanzibar, and their reign
continued with a strong economy characterized by trade and cash crop growing. Gradually,
however, Zanzibar came under the rule of the British, and during this period the slave trade was
abolished. Germany and Britain signed a treaty in which Germany agreed to not interfere with
Britain’s interests in Zanzibar. The islands gained their independence from the British in 1963. A
short while later, Africans rose against Arabs in 1964 in a bloody revolution which took place in
1964. Tanzania was then formed as a federation of Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Unguja, and Pemba.
Gurnah’s life as a refugee and as an African in the diaspora has led to his irregular existence in
terms of time and space. Tanzania’s unfortunate history and Abdulrazak’s torturous experiences
have evidently led to the development of his narration style.
At the end of the novel, Yusuf, who is eighteen years old, is expelled from the Garden of
Paradise and has lost the innocence he once had. He abandons all hope of a self-directed future
and enlists to join the German colonial administrators to fight in a war he has no personal stake
in because he has nothing to bind him to a family, culture, or home he can call his own. He
seemingly runs away from one type of slavery to another.
In essence, Gurnah skillfully uses the concept of paradise into his narrative, to explore themes of
loss, freedom, cultural identity, and resistance making "Paradise" a rich and thought-provoking
exploration of the human condition in the face of historical challenges.
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
‘Paradise’ explores societal issues including religion and spirituality through social realism.
Social realism has utilized literature to reflect and promote the ideals of a socialist society ,
religion and spirituality served as a powerful tool for analyzing the societal dynamics and impact
it had on the individuals in the story. Using religion and spirituality to explore the portrayal of
community and their belief systems . Gurnah paves a way for religion and spirituality to illustrate
the conflicts of society and how it has been an enabler for colonization.
Spirituality is woven into the characters identity and experiences ,all the characters in the book
find solace and guidance in their religious beliefs shaping their actions and decisions. Yusuf
religious background was intended for him to follow in the footsteps however, he couldn’t
identify with the religion wholly and this causes him to find himself in the shifting religious
landscape of the community. Until he devoted himself in a newly found piety that was seen as
abject.
Gurnah uses spirituality aspect to serve as a source of strength ,reflecting the complex
interconnection between faith and personal struggles . Yusuf grapples with his Islamic faith
amidst the challenges of colonialism ,thus shows how Yusuf spiritual journey is intertwined with
the broader picture of the political and social changes offering an inside exploration of the
relationship between the individuals personal beliefs and the historical context of colonization.
Spiritual symbolism takes the upper hand on religion in the book, gurnah specifically waves this
image of paradise mimicking the title , to using it as a symbolism for the characters’ dreams and
this struggle for a better life. This type of spiritual symbolism takes the novel to a higher level
adding layers to the story and invites its readers to reflect on the characters struggles within the
frame work of their cultural and religious backgrounds. The approach of spirituality in the book
is witnessed through the characters internal conflicts ,literal dreams and experiences in the face
of societal shifts .
Religion and spirituality also played a key role in enabling colonization , this occurs by colonial
powers manipulating existing spiritual beliefs to the people to further their agenda. Using
conversion as a means of control was an example of spiritual change . the manipulation of
spirituality hid the motives behind colonial ventures. Displacement of spiritual practices to fill
the gap with their own religious doctrines to show control. Religion and spirituality served as
tools for colonial powers to manipulate local dynamics and religion affecting the characters lives.
Gurnah was able to elevate spirituality of each character , despite differences in their religion and
taking different approach to show how the connection beyond conventional religious structures.
This story reflects on spiritual belonging through reflections on the traumatic experiences of
colonization. Yusuf experiences mental and physical trauma , however this does not deny his
reflection on spiritual trauma and his pursuit of the question of spiritual belonging.
Paradise employs social realism to navigate the web of society using religion and spirituality .
The exploration of this theme through the lens of individual experiences and community
dynamics provides the readers with an understanding of navigating religion and spirituality
within the societal context and impact on human experience.

MARXISM AS PORTRAYED IN “PARADISE”

The Marxist Approach to Class Struggle in "Paradise" by Abdulrazak GurnahAbdulrazak
Gurnah's novel "Paradise" puts more emphasis on the complex dynamics of class struggle inside
a post-colonial setting. By employing a Marxist approach, the novel explores the approaches in
which wealth and social stratifications perpetuate inequality and oppression. This evaluation of
the Marxist Approach takes center of attention within the novel that exemplify it's critical
approach to class struggle.
The novel 'Paradise' is set in Zanzibar during the late nineteenth century, a time when colonial
powers dominated African nations. The Marxist Approach highlights how colonialism facilitated
the exploitation of the local and low class population, with the ruling elite taking part with the
colonizers for personal gain. This collaboration perpetuates class divisions, as the rich class
benefits from their collaboration with the colonizers, while the working category struggles
underneath their oppressive rule.Through the protagonist Yusuf, a young rehani, Gurnah portrays
the stark divide between the ruling elite and the working class. Yusuf's battle to break out poverty
and obtain social mobility reflects the wider systemic exploitation of the Zanzibar society below
colonial capitalism. The novel illustrates how the ruling class, represented with the help of the
colonizers, benefits from the labor and resources of the peasants.Uncle Aziz a representative of
the ruling class makes use of his power over the peasants as he is considered taking Khalil and
Yusuf because their parents are not able to pay off the debts they owe him.Uncle Aziz humiliates
his business partners by taking away their sons and daughters to work for him as rehani.He takes
Amina , Khalil's sister and makes her his wife as she works in his home.
Do you what I've heard about him your partner? Hussein continued. That if his partners cannot
pay up ,he takes their sons and daughters as rehani. This is like in the days of slavery . It is not
the way honourable people should conduct themselves.
Land ownership is an important issue under class struggle in "Paradise." The Marxist Approach
emphasizes how the ruling class, represented by way of the Europeans and Arab plantation
owners, trying everything possible to maintain their wealth through the control of plantations.
The working class which is composed of a large number of African laborers, faces constant
exploitation and poverty due to the lack of land ownership. This unequal distribution of assets
creates a power imbalance, reinforcing class divisions and perpetuating the fighting for financial
justice.The Europeans are seen taking most of the best land as they have a desire of even taking
more leaving the natives poor without land to cultivate.
They take the best land without paying a bead,and force the people to work for them by one trick
or another, eat anything and everything however tough or putrid.( An indication of land
grabbing). The Europeans are seen choosing on the best lands that can be used for agriculture
and even mining of valuable minerals like gold in South Africa.
 The Marxist approach in "Paradise" sheds light on the exploitative labor practices inherent in the
colonial system. The plantation owners earnings from the African laborers' toil while paying
them meager wages. Through this lens, Gurnah highlights the oppressive nature of capitalism,
the place the working class is forced to work long hours beneath deplorable conditions, while the
ruling class reaps the benefits of their labor. This exploitation fuels the class struggle, as the
employees come to be increasingly more aware of their exploitation and yearn for a fairer
society.In the manner in which the porters are handled throughout the journey under the
leadership of Mohammed Abdalla the mnyapara is a clear indication that these people struggle in
the hands of the ruling class as some of them even end up dying in the wilderness without proper
medication.
He carried a thin bamboo cane which he used for emphasis,swishing it through the sir when he
was exasperated, landing it on a slothful buttock when his ire was up. He had a reputation of a
merciless sodomizer and could often be seen absent mindedly stroking his loins. It was said often
by those Mohammed Abdalla had refused to employ,that he picked porters who would be willing
to get down all fours for him during the journey.
"Paradise" explores the limited social mobility skilled by way of the working class. The Marxist
perspective displays how the ruling class manipulates the narrative to hold their position of
power. By promoting a false awareness among the working class, the elites ensure their persisted
domination. This false attention perpetuates the concept that the present social order is natural
and just, discouraging the working class from differing with their oppressors. However, as the
story unfolds, some characters begin to query this narrative, developing attention and collective
resistance in opposition to their oppressors.As Yusuf the protagonists walks through the world of
trade and colonialism going to the interior and back having a clear record of what happens ,he
encounters fellow workers who share in his disillusionment and desire for change . Through their
collective efforts,they challenge the normal order of life and strive to reclaim agency and
dignity.Yusuf becomes more aware due to his continued stay in Uncle Aziz's place .

The Marxist strategy in "Paradise" highlights the possibility of revolution and liberation from
oppressive class structures. As the working class turns into more and more aware of their
exploitation, the novel portrays the viable for a revolution to overthrow the ruling elite and
establish a more egalitarian society. Gurnah explores the transformative electricity of collective
action, emphasizing the significance of unity and team spirit among the working classification as
they strive for liberation from the shackles of classification struggle.
As life continues we see characters like Yusuf ,Amina and Khalil becoming more aware and this
makes them to think of how they can get more freedom as we see Khalil even telling Yusuf that
they escape to town through the night . This happens when the mistress tries to get hold of Yusuf
leading tearing off of his shirt. Through this we see that Yusuf stands his stance strongly even
ready to defend himself before Uncle Aziz.
Abdulrazak Gurnah's "Paradise" gives a compelling exploration of class struggle through a
Marxist lens. The novel exposes the oppressive nature of colonialism, the unequal distribution of
resources, exploitative labor practices, false consciousness, and the possibility for liberation. By
dissecting these key points, readers reap a deeper perception of the complicated dynamics that
underpin class struggle. "Paradise" serves as a effective reminder of the ongoing struggle for
financial justice and the want to paralyze the operations of oppressive social stratifications within
the society.

THE SEARCH FOR HOME AND SELF: IDENTITY CRISIS AND DISPLACEMENT
In the subject of this book, migration is a crucial factor in the journey for search of home and
self, and this movement from home to exile is through forced displacement and slavery. This
movement is both physical and metaphorical, as the characters move physically to exile and are
unable to return home, and are only able to return home through memory (metaphorically).
Forced displacement compels the characters to move from home to exile in search for a home
and self.
Yusuf gets subjected to “Arabization”silently through a ten anna piece given to him by Uncle
Aziz. This is seen where it reads“it was always at the moment of departure that the ten anna
piece changed hands, when uncle Aziz would offer his hand to be kissed and stroke the back of
Yusuf’s head as he bent over it. Then with practiced ease he would slip the coin into Yusuf’s
hand”. As a result, he is metaphorically moved to the coast (Tanga) from Kawa through the ten
anna piece given to him. The kissing and stroking that Yusuf is exposed to by Uncle Aziz is
symbolic of the servitude that Yusuf has been in even before he is given away by his father to the
paternal Aziz. In following Aziz, Yusuf hopes that his life will become better but it turns out to
be traumatic because he is displaced.
Yusuf, Khalil, Mzee Hamdani and Amina who are all slaves serving under Uncle Aziz as they
have been removed from their homes. Their human rights are violated by their fathers who
forcibly displace them by pawning them as a rehani–a kind of slave in order to stand in for the
debt owed to their oppressive Arab creditors. Gurnah narrates a geographical space that is
characterized by domination and inequities of power and wealth that is also instrumental in
creating a sense of rootlessness in a majority of the characters presented. The struggle for
dominance affects the characters in Paradise who are enslaved and rendered rootless by their
parents who “mimicry” or copy the behaviour of the oppressors–their creditors (Arabs) who are
powerful, wealthy and dominant. The debts that Yusuf’s father owes Aziz are kept silent from
Yusuf because they are too much.Yusuf’s father’s silence is a sign of fear and anxiety. These
debts play a role in displacing Yusuf physically from his home. The narrator reports that “he
could not remember any mention of debts, and they seemed to live well enough compared with
their neighbours”. Though Yusuf and his parents live well, it is only a facade as they are heavily
indebted or enslaved and thus traumatised.
Khalil, a slave pawned in a similar manner as Yusuf quashes all the hopes that Yusuf has about
being freed from slavery in “ I don’t think anything like that will happen. You Ba is probably
completely poor now, just like my marehemu Ba was, and couldn’t repay his debt in this world
or the next. So no mountain retreat for you...But the seyyid won’t even ask him, I don’t think”.
Khalil commiserates with Yusuf by expressing his disillusionment through the silence in the
pause concerning the debts that their fathers owe Aziz. That the debts are not payable in this
world or in the next symbolizes endless slavery from the oppressor Aziz. Therefore, Khalil who
is left with no choice but to submit to his oppressor Aziz considers it prudent to advise Yusuf on
how to survive as a slave which is through mimicry; learning Arabic in order to win the
Yusuf and Khalil have a very insecure background and, by accepting the authority of the
(oppressor) are finally recognized and acquire an identity that helps them to grow. Khalil’s
silence is symbolic of honour (ungwana) because though he is against slavery, it has assisted him
and Yusuf in growing and having an identity. This is what he tells Yusuf that “my brother how
brave you are,’ Khalil said, laughing through his tears. ‘We can all run away to live on the
mountain. It is up to her to leave. If she goes without the Seyyid’s will I have to go back to being
rehani, or pay the debt. This was the agreement, and this is what honour(ungwana)requires. So
she won’t leave, and while she stays, I stay”. Khalil is caught in between honour (ungwana) and
shame as signalled in the silence of laughter and tears; otherwise he is ready to run away with
Yusuf.
Khalil finds a home in his hybrid home where he remains a slave. This is because after he is
released to go by Aziz after marrying Amina, he decides to stay and serve “that poor girl” that his
father had sold into slavery. Actually, even if he is released he has no home to return to as
evidenced in “I have nowhere to go” as his father had died and his mother and siblings had
migrated to Arabia. Though he chooses to stay in servitude he laments for being submissive to
colonial oppression for he blames his father and Aziz thus “my poor Ba, may God have mercy on
him, and the seyyid have taken everything else from me. If it was not they who made me into the
useless coward you see here, then who did? Perhaps I just have the nature for it, or it is the way
we live...our custom”. The pause that precedes “our custom” is symbolic of the trauma that
Khalil grapples with as a slave.
In conclusion, migration in Paradise plays a big role in displacing the characters from their natal
homes which they are unable to return to when the conditions in exile become unbearable. This
has forced them to identify as slaves, even after their masters release them from servitude. Their
silences symbolise fear, anxiety, disillusionment, “unhomeliness” and terror as a result of forced
displacement, slavery and forbidden love .As much as they want to be free, it becomes
impossible as they end up landing into another form of servitude as evidenced in Yusuf who after
freeing the Arab slavery lands into German colonialism which is more terrific.
SLAVERY

The protagonist is Yusuf, a beautiful boy, sold into slavery by an inept father at the age of twelve.
The story lasts for five years of his life thus ending just after he turns seventeen, not quite an
adult. The narration starts shortly before young Yusuf leaves home in the company of a rich
Uncle Aziz to start a life of servitude. His hope for a better life, away from poverty in his parents’
home is soon scuttled with the information that Uncle Aziz was actually a rich merchant and not
remotely related to him. “As for Uncle Aziz, for a start, he isn’t your uncle”, is the piece of
information he gets on arrival at the merchant’s residence. He is quickly enlightened on the fact
that he was a slave. “You are here because your Ba owes the Seyyid some money. I’m here
because my Ba owes him money”. This comes from Khalil who was pawned earlier and is now
assigned to be Yusuf’s mentor. Reality dawns on Yusuf when they are thereafter made to operate
outside of the merchant’s main family house where his two wives reside, “They slept on the earth
terrace in front of the shop, shopkeepers by day and watchmen by night, and covered themselves
with rough calico sheets”.
This sheds light on the multifaceted nature of slavery, going beyond the traditional Western
portrayal and delving into the internal dynamics within a family specifically focusing on the
experiences of Yusuf in the Aziz household. The revelation of Yusuf's true status as a slave,
rather than a nephew to Uncle Aziz, sets the tone for his journey and highlights the harsh reality
he faces. The contrast between his expectations of a better life and the harsh truth of his servitude
adds depth to the narrative. The portrayal of the relationship between Aziz and Yusuf as more of
a foster father-foster son dynamic rather than a strict master-slave relationship adds complexity
to the characters' interactions. The internal conflict faced by Yusuf, torn between their role in the
family business and their lack of belonging, adds a layer of tension to the narrative
Slavery occurs in the Aziz household in many forms, Amina is Khalil’s foster sister, with whom
they had been pawned off but who was set free through her marriage to the merchant, “your
uncle Aziz married her last year. So now he is my brother as well as your uncle, and we are one
happy family in a garden of Paradise” Khalil informs Yusuf of his sister’s position in the family.
The senior wife is enslaved by a debilitating skin condition for which a cure has eluded the best
known doctors and medicine men. The different forms of slavery within the Aziz household,
such as Amina's transition from being pawned off to attaining freedom through marriage,
showcase the complexity of the characters' relationships. The senior wife's enslavement due to a
debilitating skin condition further emphasizes the varied ways in which individuals can be
bound. It does not ignore the oppressive aspects of the society it portrays. The oppressive
conditions for women, including those related to slavery, are acknowledged, and the narrative
raises questions about dependency and power dynamics.
Hamdani the gardener is a freed slave who questions the whole idea of freedom as seen by the
slave owners: “They offered me freedom as a gift. She did. Who told her she had it to offer? I
know the freedom you are talking about. I had the freedom the moment I was born. When these
people say you belong to me, I own you, it is like the passing of the rain or the setting of the sun
at the end of the day. The following morning the sun will rise again whether they like it or not.
The same with freedom. They can lock you up, put you in chains, abuse all your small longings,
but freedom is not something they can take away”. Hamdani’s perspective on freedom adds an
additional layer to the exploration of slavery. His belief that freedom is an inherent right
challenges the slave owners' notion of granting freedom as a gift. This philosophical perspective
contributes to the broader themes of agency and personhood within the story.
Slavery in its different forms occupies a central place in the family in Gurnah’s . slavery as
practiced here differed greatly with the way it was conducted in the Western tradition. Where in
the Western tradition slaves were outsiders of foreign origin, in the Indian Ocean world they
were internal, in some instances relatives to the slavers. Slavery in Gurnah’s fiction is as
expected, fashioned against the Indian Ocean World practices. The most common slave practice
in this region was pawnship where mostly girls were given out for indebtedness, largely within
the same cultural and linguistic community. In some instances, young women were pawned off
to be married to redeem a family’s debt. In such instances, the women were not considered as
slaves in the strict sense, but their basic freedoms were still limited.

In conclusion, the novel Paradise by Abdulrazak Gurnah not only talks about the slavery by the
Arabs of the Sultans of Zanzibar but by the Germans who comes to displace the Arabs and fully
take charge of the East African Coast hence leading to a double colonisation. Also Yusuf , the
protagonist in the novel has been used to mirror the oppressive nature of colonialism. He
undergoes various transitions not just physically but also psychologically just from the time his
father pawns him to Aziz .
Also, the journey motif used by the Gurnah in his novel enables the transitions to take place .
The displacement of Yusuf, Khalil, Amina as well as mzee Hamdani enables us to understand the
role of the oppressor during colonisation. Yusuf’s journey to trade with Aziz in the interior up to
the great lakes serves to open Yusuf’s naïve eyes hence a psychological growth. The journey
motif also helps us understand the post colonial trauma, as seen in Yusuf’s journey of growth.