A narratological analysis of C.M. Elliott’s Sibanda series as representative Zimbabwean crime fiction
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Date
2019-06
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Abstract
This thesis analysed C.M. Elliott’s Sibanda series as representative Zimbabwean crime fiction.
Narratology theory was applied to the analysis of the novels. The study was a qualitative
desktop research, and it employed textual analysis in the analysis and interpretation of the
selected novels. These are Sibanda and the rainbird (2013), Sibanda and the death’s head
moth (2015), and Sibanda and the black sparrowhawk (2017). The study adds to the body of
knowledge on African crime fiction as it addresses contemporary societal issues which are
relevant. The study further contributes to semiotics and structuralist literary analysis. The study
focused on selected narrative strategies in communicating the events in the novels. The
researcher analysed Sibanda series by focusing on narrative components such as narrative
instance, narrative order, narrative speed and narrative perspective. The narrative aspects
which the author employs and their usefulness were also discussed in relation to ritual murder,
rhino and elephant poaching (ivory smuggling), and serial murder. The study found that by
reading Sibanda and the rainbird (2013), Sibanda and the death’s head moth (2015), and
Sibanda and the black sparrowhawk (2017), C.M. Elliott has successfully woven intricate
detective narratives using narrative strategies. The narrative strategies enable her to
communicate Zimbabwean crime fiction concerns which she has addressed in these three
novels in an effective manner. The study recommends for future studies that there might be a
need to consider Zimbabwean crime fiction in other genres such as poetry and drama.
Description
THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENGLISH AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS AT THE NAMIBIA
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: Professor Sarala Krishnamurthy
Keywords
Thesis - Namibia, Narratological, C.M. Elliott, Sibanda series, Representative, Zimbabwean, Crime fiction, Genre
Citation
Kangira, R. (2019). A narratological analysis of C.M. Elliott’s Sibanda series as representative Zimbabwean crime fiction. [Mater's thesis, Namibia University of Science and Technology]. Ounongo Repository.