Motifs: An International Journal of English Studies
Year : 2017, Volume : 3, Issue : 2
First page : ( 106) Last page : ( 112)
Print ISSN : 2454-1745. Online ISSN : 2454-1753.
Article DOI : 10.5958/2454-1753.2017.00015.0

The Study of Prison Literature in Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself and Nathuram Godse's Why I Assassinated Gandhi

Sheron Rabecca

Lecturer, Department of English, Sophia Girls’ College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. Email id: rabecca.sharon30@gmail.com

Online published on 8 March, 2018.

Abstract

Prison literature is a literary genre characterised by the literature that is written while the author is confined in a location against his will, such as a prison, jail or house arrest. The literature can be about prison informed by it or simply coincidentally written while in prison. Prison writing became a characteristic cultural form of early modern England. Its popularity rested on an increase in the number of prisoners; an expanded audience of political and religious sympathisers and the growth of the book trade. The article intends to study the origin of prison literature and its impact on the literature. It intends to study the psyche of both the authors. The study will help to understand the psyche of the authors as prisoners. It will also help to understand the causes behind prison writing. The study will also help to understand the influence of social and political conditions on the authors. As with many aspects of punishments, it attracts the interest of both academics and the general public. The aim of the research is to find out the origin of prison literature and its relevance to the contemporary time.. The primary sources of the research are Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself and Nathuram Godse's Why I Assassinated Gandhi? The study will enlighten the impact of prison literature on literature. The chief aspect is to comprehend and analyse the psyche of the authors with respect to their writings. It will showcase the social and political conditions and their influence on the authors and their works the research will also display the comparison of both the texts on common ground-prison literature. Nelson Mandela is widely considered to be one of the most inspiring and iconic figures. The book Conversation with Myself draws on Mandela's personal archive and the content of the book will offer unique access to the private world of an incomparable world leader. The study will also carry the close insight to Apartheid Movement which was present at that time in South Africa. It will give us the account of Nelson Mandela's political and social life and his struggle for freedom and justice. The research intends to show the comparative study on the psyche of both the authors.

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Keywords

Prison, Prison literature, South African prison literature.

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