Resistance and Regeneration in Ngozi Chuma-Udeh’s The Presidential Handshake

Abstract

This research work focused on resistance and regeneration in Ngozi Chuma-Udeh’sThe Presidential Handshake. The Presidential Handshake by Ngozi Chuma-Udeh is shown as an effective means of re-orienting the people. It further demonstrates with adequate examples from the novel, how the author has done this, and to what extent she has succeeded. This study employs the content analysis approach to qualitative research. Marxism and Sociological Approach to Literature form the theoretical framework for exploring this novel. The main aim for using Marxism and sociological approach to literature is because of the author’s belief in literature serving the needs of society and the people. The Presidential handshake connotes the negative notion of the people for politics. This study reveals that NgoziChuma-Udeh raised social issues in her novel which are relevant to the contemporary Nigerian society. These include socio-political issues like greed, exploitation, looting, and unemployment. This study will definitely contribute to the evolving corpus of critical literary discourse on the literary works of the author and African literature.