Bessie Head and the Trauma of Exile

<p>This book investigates themes of exile and oppression in Southern Africa across Bessie Head’s novels and short fiction.<br><br>An exile herself, arriving in Botswana as a South African refugee, Bessie Head’s fiction serves as an important example of African exile literature. This book argues that Head’s characters are driven to exile as a result of their socio- political ambivalence while still in South Africa, and that this sense of discomfort follows them to their new lives. Investigating themes of trauma and identity politics across colonial and post- colonial contexts, this book also addresses the important theme of black- on- black prejudice and hostility which is often overlooked in studies of Head’s work.<br><br>Covering Head’s shorter fiction as well as her major novels <i>When Rain Clouds Gather </i>(1969), <i>Maru </i>(1971), <i>A Question of Power </i>(1973), <i>Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind </i>(1981), and <i>A Bewitched Crossroads: An African Saga </i>(1984), this book will be of interest to researchers of African literature and postcolonial history. </p> Chapter 1: The Literature of the Oppressed Chapter 2: Exile, Post-coloniality, Trauma: Theories and Perspectives Chapter 3: The Ordeals of Crossing: From Home to Exile Chapter 4: The Black-on-black Prejudice Chapter 5: Black Power and Trauma in a Shut-in World Chapter 6: History through Fiction or Fiction through History? Chapter 7: Patriarchy and Power: Women on the Edge of the Cliff Chapter 8: Conclusion: Towards the Unification of Thematic Trajectories