Language and Nationalism in Selected LaÌwuyiÌ€ OÌ€guÌnniÌran’sWritings

Abstract

This paper examines the language of nationalism as reflected in Lawuyi OÌ€guÌnniÌran’s literary texts and as they are foregrounded also in the background to nationalism in Nigeria. It points to the national issues raised by OÌ€guÌnniÌran in the selected texts: Ààrẹ Àgò Aríkuyẹrí, Níbo Layé Doríká», O ̣̀naÌ€ Kan OÌ€ WojaÌ€, Ọmá» Alátẹ ÃŒlẹ̀ kẹ̀ and Igi Wo ro ko . The paper is anchored on Mirror-Image and Talcott Parson’s functional approach under the theory of sociology of literature for its analysis and interpretation. The selected texts portray some national issues such as: agriculture, education, politics, hardwork, law and society, eulogy and patriotism. The paper identifies the challenges facing Nigeria and the YoruÌ€baÌ nation within it. It highlights the factors responsible for these challenges and the solutions proffered by the author . The paper establishes OÌ€guÌnniÌran as a nationalist writer and concludes that the selected texts can be employed as veritable tools for nationalist struggle.