The Refiner's Fire

Abstract

In this, the second article of a series entitled “Literacy–And Then?” on the mass media as tools of social change in Africa, the author outlines the historical background of the clash of races and cultures in southern Africa. One consequence of this clash is that masses of men, forced off the land and into the cities by deliberate economic pressures, have been detribalized, but have not been enculturated into the new urban setting. The author cites resulting social problems, and the responses of sensitive African writers. The major part of the article documents themes from African writing: Gruesomeness and sex, love of Africa, Negritude, and protest.