Abstract

The Marxian notion of society is rooted in revolution. Relying on the concept of historical materialism, Karl Marx encapsulated a revolutionary society where social and historical change is viewed through the prism of material conditions, particularly the economic system and class struggle. This revolutionary view of society has since crept into the province of literature, raising questions as to the role art plays or should play in society. Many literary theorists have, one way or another, broached this subject matter; and there have been as many submissions as there are theorists. Regardless of the differing perspectives, the concatenation of opinions in Marxist theory of literature is that art should have a revolutionary content. However, the plausibility of this position remains fluid in African Literature. Udenta O. Udenta, a Marxist scholar has, through his offering in the book under consideration, lent a great deal of impetus to the literary inquiry. He seeks to domesticate in African Literature Karl Marx’s theory of art which has revolution as its focal point. This paper explores the various dimensions of Udenta’s intervention in Revolutionary Aesthetics especially its affirmation of the Marxian standpoint on the revolutionary essence of literature. This consists in the promotion of the notion that a work of art of any period must incorporate social awareness as an integral part of its essence. Udenta does not just adopt this Marxian notion, he seeks to infuse this literary theory into aspects of African Literature with his firm belief that every work of art has a revolutionary content. The paper distills Udenta’s argument in favour of revolutionary aesthetics with a view to determining whether or not it has any place in African literature, bearing in mind his assertion that the true value of art in revolution lies in its ability to create social awareness among the downtrodden so that they can revolt against the oppressor. The paper submits that Udenta succeeds in this effort and has, through his intervention, expanded the frontiers of African literature.