THEMES OF EXPLOITATION IN LABO YARI’S A DAY WITHOUT COCKCROW AND OTHER STORIES

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to identify the theme of exploitation in Labo Yari's A Day Without Cock Crow and Other Stories. Hence, exploitation simply means 'an unfair use for one's own profit, benefit or advantage. The first phase of the study involves an intense comprehension and apprehension of the short stories to ascertain the existence of the theme of exploitation. Its materials have been drawn from Labo Yari's A Day Without Cock Crow and Other Stories, textbooks, journals, works by African authors and an interview with Labo Yari himself. Literary analysis of short stories selected from the text are done to underscore the nature, causes, and effects of exploitation on the characters and their community. The study reveals that there is indeed exploitation in all sphere of life mainly political, economic, social and religious. Also, the study reveals that the victims of the dehumanizing act are always the weak while the perpetrators are the strong. This reveals the complexity of life in a society where exploitation breaks the human spirit