Of humans and other "humans" also known as nahums: sameness and difference in Eustace Palmer's Canfira's Travels. Issue 2 (14th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamara, Mohamed
• Is Part Of: Journal of the African Literature Association. Volume 15:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 222
• Publication Date: 2021-05-14
• Subjects: African literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; African literature; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 809.896
• DOI: 10.1080/21674736.2021.1900265
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-4736

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, I show how Palmer's novel—through a privileging of a discourse of sameness and difference duality—illustrates and interrogates notions of self and otherness. What is self, and what is the other? How are these two different from one another? To what extent are they the same? How do we and should we react when we encounter difference and otherness or sameness, or what appears to be such? These are some of the questions that will serve as signposts as we accompany Canfira on his peregrination through what he refers to as a "strange land." Ultimately, the essay seeks to show how Eustace Palmer exploits the sameness-difference duality to levy a mordant criticism against individual characters and entire groups, demonstrating in the process the shakiness of the claim to essentialism inherent in the sameness-difference discourse, as well as the dangers of conformity.