DRAMA AS A VEHICLE FOR SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION: A STUDY OF OKWE AGBAALA AND UGOMMA

Abstract

This research looks into Drama as a Vehicle for Social Reconstruction in some selected Igbo drama texts. Literature is a mirror and a tool which artistic writers use to display and reflect the socio-political economic and religious realities of life. It exists to give definitions, meaning and interpretation to several social issues that militate against the well being of any society. Previous works on Igbo drama texts were not emphatic on social transformation as a form of achieving dramatic techniques, without knowing that such exposures of the ills of the society help to make positive change among the people. In view of the above, this study looks at how drama is used as a means of changing the society for the good of mankind. These playwrights advocate for change in the society through their dramas. Okwe Agbaala and Ugomma exposed the ills of the society. Whereas the first drama book portrays social change at its peak through issues like eradication of examination malpractices and intimidation in our Institutions of higher learning, the later book is a drama that corrects the society through issues like religious sentiment and ignoble behaviors among youths. The methodology adopted in this work is the descriptive survey method because there are many Igbo drama books, but two out of them were selected for analyses of social reconstruction. However in this work, it is discovered that the playwrights aim at advocating for a positive change in the society. It is also recommended that people should embrace right and not wrong, peace and not war.