THE THEME OF MORAL REFORMATION IN CHILDREN LITERATURE IN ALICE OBONG-EREN’S GIVE ME A CHANCE AND UMOINYANG’S THE SACRED COW

THE THEME OF MORAL REFORMATION IN CHILDREN LITERATURE IN ALICE OBONG-EREN’S GIVE  ME A CHANCE AND UMOINYANG’S THE SACRED COW

ABSTRACT

This project is on a critical study of the theme of the moral reformation in children’s literature. The two prose works; Give Me a Chance by Alice Obong-Eren and The Sacred Cow by Umoinyang Umoinyang were used in the study. The purpose of the study was to examine the theme of the moral reformation in children’s literature using the two novels mentioned above. Obong-Eren’s Give Me a Chance and Umoinyang’s The Sacred Cow were the primary sources of information, the internet, and journals were secondary sources of information. The finding shows the well-defined themes such as the theme of hard work and success, reconciliation, ambition and determination and vicissitude of life and perseverance bound at propelling the interest of the pupils towards forging their studies ahead with seriousness, having the intention to succeed since such themes can intrigue the children to know that with determination and hard-work one may likely be lead to success and prosperity as it is in the case of Rita in the novel Give Me a Chance. The finding also shows such themes like the theme of over-pampering of an only child and the theme of corruption. These themes are presumably considered necessary when dealing with children texts as they help children to refrain from unwanted attitude found in the life of a specific character Idara who was pampered by his parents and later got spoiled and as such draw out a good moral lesson to parent and children. In conclusion, well-defined and effective handling of themes in children literary text can impact positive good morals in the life of children.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents                                                                                 Pages

Title Page                        -        -        -        -        -        -        i

Declaration                      -        -        -        -        -        -        ii

Certification                      -        -        -        -        -        -        iii

Dedication                       -        -        -        -        -        -        iv

Acknowledgements            -        -        -        -        -        -        v

Abstract                           -        -        -        -        -        -        vi

Table of Contents              -        -        -        -        -        -        vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study             -        -        -        -        1

1.2     Statement of the Problem            -        -        -        -        2

1.3     Purpose o the Study                             -        -        -        -        2

1.4     Significance of the Study             -        -        -        -        3

1.5     Research Methodology                -        -        -        -        3

1.6     Scope of the Study                      -        -        -        -        3

CHAPTER TWO: THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF GIVE ME A CHANCE

3.1     The Author’s Bio-Data                 -        -        -        -        12

3.2     Analysis of Give Me a Chance       -        -        -        -        13

3.3     Themes in Give Me a Chance        -        -        -        -        18

3.4     The Styles                                           -        -        -        24

3.5     Characters in Give Me a Chance             -        -        -        26

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF THE SACRED COW

4.1     The Author’s Bio-Data                 -        -        -        -        29

4.2     Analysis of The Sacred Cow         -        -        -        -        31

4.3     Themes in The Sacred Cow          -        -        -        -        34

4.4     The Styles                                 -        -        -        -        38

4.5     Characters in The Sacred Cow      -        -        -        -        40

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY

5.1     Summary                                   -        -        -        -        43

5.2     Conclusion                                 -        -        -        -        45

5.3     Recommendations                       -        -        -        -        45

          Works Cited                               -        -        -        -        48

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study

Moral is a principle of what is right and wrong behavior and with the difference between good and evil while reformation is when something is completely changed in order to improve it.

In relating the two definitions or meanings to children’s Literature, moral reformation in children literature is the change that occurs in order to improve moral which is right in children’s literature and in the society which we live in.

Writers of children, literature tries to write in order to criticize how some parents fail to train their wards in the right way, rather they encourage them in bad morals like prostitution, cultism, smoking, stealing, lying, gossiping, drinking of alcohol lack of respect for the elders and so on. While some parents train their children in a good way hence making them put up a good moral which stand them out as examples to society. Good and discipline parents scold them children whenever they are wrong and tries to inculcate a good habit or moral life telling them not to lie, gossip, steal, prostitute, rather they should help others greet the elders, respect people and to always return things found lost to the owners and so on.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

In looking at the society most youth and children are corrupt and they are addicted to bad morals which destroy their destiny. Most at times it is as a result of parents pampering their children neglecting their children or lack of the upbringing of a child that makes the child wayward hence adopting bad behavior.

Most parents in the society are poor but they go ahead to have many children which they cannot fend for, as a result of this; the children move around stealing people’s property in society just to have what to eat.

Due to these facts, it has called for concern which prompted the researcher to embark on this research work.

1.3   Purpose of the Study

        The purpose this research is to examine the aspect of morals in the society at home that needs to be reformed in our children.

i.      To investigate how bad morals cause destruction and backwardness to the society and also at home.

ii.      To suggest means through which illicit behaviour could be eliminated in society.

1.4   Significance of the Study

The study will enable the writer of children literature to write more series that contain a good moral lesson to help reform children in society.

It will help inculcate good morals in the lives of the readers of children literature hence promoting good behavior among children in society.

1.5   Research Methodology

The research methodology for this research entitled moral reformation in children literature in giving me a chance and the sacred cow is both primary and secondary research sources. The primary source is the use of texts of the research which is Give me a chance and the Sacred Cow as the major texts for discussion of a moral reformation in children literature. The secondary research refers to the use of journals, newspaper, internet, library books, etc.