Seventeenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Using the parallel analysis concept, this paper utilises themes identified from Gabriel Okara’s poem entitled: The Xall of the River Nun as the reference point, and relates the meanings to the philosophical underpinnings of growth, aging and dying of human beings. The paper examines the behavioural growth patterns of a human being from adolescence and adulthood to the middle age and old age, and compares it with the flow pattern of a river from its upper course, middle course and lower course to join the sea, respectively. Generally, one wonders whether a flowing river can pause and return to its source for fear of losing its identity when it joins the Sea. And can a human being reverse his/her growth process, knowing very well of the “loss of identity” ahead of him/her due to inevitable aging and death? The method is basically qualitative, using Content Analysis of the poem, library research, and phenomenology. Findings may highlight the wonders and ingenuities of African artists, poets, dramatists and their profound observations in life.