Dernières nouvelles

Abstract

This article shows the relevance of “engaged” or “committed” literature for “post-colonial” African writers in the two collections of short stories called Dernières nouvelles. Through the analysis of narrative utterance, we argue that their position reflects the African fight against colonialism and neo-colonialism. The writers execute a kind of continuum by claiming a literary tradition inherited from the founders of the Negritude movement. However, inspired by the modern context, the writers distance themselves from the radical and racial engagement of their predecessors. This difference can be observed in the use of various literary means, such as on the pretext, “silent cry” and the oxymoron. The article finally argues that there is a contradiction between the criticism of neo-colonial practices and the writers’ collaboration with French publishing houses and different cultural associations.