Fragments of Freedom: Tracing Democratic Tensions in Some Selected Novels by Arundhati Roy, Russel Soaba and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Abstract

The implementation of democratic principles, especially in the former colonies, has come with challenges and writers have often projected such realities in their literary texts. This work analyses the manner in which Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Russel Soaba’s Maiba: A Papuan Novel and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun represent the practice of democracy. The study is guided by the following research question: How do Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Russel Soaba’s Maiba: A Papuan Novel, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun depict the practice of democracy? It is hypothesized that the three novels portray democracy as an aspirational system of government that faces serious challenges. Using the Democratic Theory, it seeks to unveil the manner in which democracy is practiced in the texts and the difficulties evident in the process.  This two-part paper demonstrates that, although both the populace and - albeit partially - the leadership express a desire to establish democracy in former colonies, as reflected in political dialogue and consultation, the democratic process remains deeply hindered by neo-colonial pressures and ineffective or corrupt governance.  Recognizing that there is no universal concept of democracy that should fit all nations, the article concludes that each part of the former Empire should adapt its unique version of democracy that ties with its context and values.