A critical assessment of B.K.M. Mtombeni's creative works

Abstract

This critical assessment is a study of B.K.M. Mtombeni's literary achievements in the Tsonga literature. The literary trend which persists throughout his novels Mibya ya nyekanyeka and Ndzi tshikeni, his volumes of short stories Ndzhaka ya vusiwana and Mavala ya yingwe and his plays Malangavi ya mbilu, Vuhlangi bya vuhlangi and Mihizo ya kayivela, was identified. Mtombeni has been a successful writer, who through his thematic patterns, plot, characterization, language and style, was able to bring out his ideas and thoughts to his readers effectively. Each chapter of this study dealt with special literary issues which contributed to the accomplishment of the research. The first chapter is a general introduction setting out the aim of the research: a biographical sketch; definitions of key terms of the topic and the literary approaches; the motivation behind the selection of the topic; the method of research; and the scope and composition of subsequent chapters. The thematic patterns of Mtombeni's works and his attitude to life are handled in chapter two, whilst the focus of the third chapter is on conflict, which is a major element of plot. Reference is also made to the other elements of plot such as climax and denouement. Chapter four addresses characterization with the aim of determining the lifelikeness, plausibility and. credibility of characters in Mtombeni's works. Chapter five analyses Mtombeni's language and style, the focus being on diction, whilst syntactic patterns, preambles or introductory paragraphs, imagery, proverbs and idioms, tone and dialogue form chapter six. Mtombeni's use of patterned language in his plays is treated in the seventh chapter, whilst the last chapter is the general conclusion of the study, with recommendations for future research.