Author(s): Wisely C. Mkandawire

Abstract: This essay explores the themes of alienation and despair in Okey Ndibe’s Arrows of Rain. The essay argues that in Arrows of Rain, Okey Ndibe depicts poor governance, political oppression, economic exploitation and suppression of human rights as the main causes of alienation and despair among the characters, and presents prostitution and mental derangement as some of the manifestations of the alienation and despair. The essay also contends that Okey Ndibe portrays alienation and despair as existential themes in the novel and he does that by presenting self-isolation, absurdity and meaninglessness of life.

Keywords: absurdity, alienation, despair, existentialism, meaninglessness.

Article Info: Received: 06 Nov 2020; Received in revised form: 09 Dec 2020; Accepted: 18 Dec 2020; Available online: 31 Dec 2020

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.56.74