The Bible and literature: a case of biblical influence in some Shona novels

Abstract

A lot has been written on the development of the Shona novel and the influence of orature on it. This research while acknowledging the importance of such an observation makes yet another one. This other view is that there is also another element that has had a significant impact on the development and growth of the Shona novel. This research has endeavoured to highlight that the Shona novel is a product of the society where it is found which is influenced by The Bible. The novelists Chakaipa, Chidzero, Makari, Musengezi, Tsodzo, Zvarevashe and Ngugi wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat which has been translated into Shona as Tsanga Yembeu have used The Bible as the backbone of their novels. Although these novelists have all used The Bible they have not used it in the same way and for the same purpose. They have used The Bible to justify the themes embedded in their works. This research at the end shows that it is difficult to label a literary product as either a success or a failure.