Linkages of history in the narrative ofClose Sesame

Close Sesame is the third and final novel of Nuruddin Farah's trilogy entitled Variations on the Theme of an African Dictatorship. The other two are Sweet and Sour Milk (1979) and Sardines (1981). Close Sesame brings together events, characters, and themes from the two books and adds new insights to focus on the immensity of the dictatorship in the Somalia of the novel. From a close analysis of the novel, this paper aims to establish how the text links two historical aspects, namely, colonial and post‐colonial dictatorship. It examines this theme in the context of pre‐colonial, colonial and post‐colonial Somalia as a way of establishing both the discontinuity and disruption brought about by the encounter between Somali cultural traditions and various forms of imperialism. Focusing on the central character's progress through the novel, the paper examines the various ways in which pre‐colonial, colonial, and post‐colonial Somalia are linked. An examination of the pivotal character's experience and relationships throughout the novel establishes the various processes by which the lessons of the past are understood and transmitted to the young

Archaeology · Art · Art history · Colonialism · Context (archaeology · Democracy · Dictatorship · Literature · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Theme (computing · Trilogy · African history and culture studies · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · Postcolonial and Cultural Literary Studies · History · Law

• Somalia

  David D Laitin, Said S Samatar•Somalia•1987

  Add to list

• The Shaping of Somali Society

  Lee V Cassanelli•Shaping of Somali Society•1982

  Add to list

• A Modern History of Somalia

  Said S Samatar, I M Lewis•African Studies Review•1981

  Add to list