Corruption as a theme in African post-colonial literature : a case study of Alan Paton’s novel cry the beloved country

Abstract EN

This study aimed at investigating corruption as a prevailing theme in African postcolonial literature with a reference to Alan Paton’s Cry the Beloved Country.

The post-colonial theory has been used to highlight the theme under study.

The novel is written in the post-colonial period, which witnessed waves of corruption at all levels.

The results after investigating the below points through discussions and analogies, show that the theme of corruption exists in the novel through the interactions between characters and symbols.

It is proved that moral, political and economic corruption is prevailing all over the novel.

On the basis of the obtained results of the discussions, the researcher gave forward the following recommendations and suggestions for further studies: African people can get a great deal of the African novel about the political and diplomatic history of their countries; corruption as a main theme in the African post-colonial writings can be an exhortation to the African people in search of building their continent.