earticle

영어

This thesis examines the theme of child sacrifice in impoverished conditions in Kenya as portrayed in Uwem Akpan's short story, “An Ex-Mas Feast.” As a Nigerian novelist and Jesuit priest, Akpan's narrative centers around a family living in extreme poverty and explores the challenges faced by the urban poor in Kenya and their coping mechanisms. The thesis also elaborates on the author's narrative strategy, which combines the specific time and place of Christmas in Kenya to prevent a simplistic, abstract understanding of African poverty and to generate an undistorted ethical interest. The author's request is based on the recognition that the impact of everyday poverty in Kenya is more pressing than racism. By depicting how children are brutally affected by poverty and conflict, which adults cannot ignore, this story sheds light on the broader difficulties faced by African countries. In order to promote proper understanding and ethical interest, Akpan aims to prevent simplistic sympathy or misunderstanding towards Africa and dismantle types of institutionalized interpretations of the continent. This thesis emphasizes the importance of the message conveyed through Akpan's story, which places children at the center, and underscores how it aligns with the author's intention to do so.