The Cultural Choices Of Intellectuals In Ayi Kwei Armah’s KMT:in The House Of Life

Ayi Kwei Armah(1939-)is a well-known Ghanaian writer whose works are widely acclaimed in African literature.He is very concerned about the future of African culture and believes that historical reconstruction is the key to cultural renaissance in Africa and that African intellectuals should take up this cultural responsibility.His novel,KMT: In the House of Life embodies this idea and showcases the profound sense of mission felt by African intellectuals to revive African history and culture.This thesis examines the three types of African intellectuals(scribes,traditionalists,and scholars)from ancient times to the colonial period,as depicted in the novel,to explore their cultural choices in their dilemmas,and on this basis analyzes Armah’s vision of the cultural mission of African intellectuals.This thesis consists of six chapters.The first chapter introduces the author,the novel KMT: In the House of Life,and relevant research results.The second chapter precedes Fanon’s and Said’s thoughts on intellectuals.Fanon emphasizes that colonial intellectuals cannot rely on the West when constructing national culture,nor can they simply remain fixed on the stereotypical “Negritude” of their culture.Instead,they should construct their own national culture through practical engagement with their local historical and cultural context.Said further discusses how Third World intellectuals can fulfill their cultural responsibilities by staying away from central power and participating in public cultural fields as marginalized people.The third chapter analyzes the cultural responsibilities of intellectuals in the novel and the dilemmas they face.The ancient Egyptian scribes were responsible for maintaining community just and balanced through knowledge.However,their educational model,“The House of Life” which emphasizes justice and balances,was interfered with by the Pharaoh.Traditionalists were committed to preserving the memory of the vanishing ancient Egyptian community,yet they were hindered by Arab invaders’ continuous interference in their talent cultivation.Scholars try hard to rebuild the connection with the lost ancient Egyptian community,while the control of the colonialists over education makes this task extremely difficult.The fourth chapter explores the cultural choices that intellectuals make in the dilemmas: whether to collude with central power or to distance themselves from it.Under the coercion and temptation of power,the three types of intellectuals make different choices.The keepers of scribes turned to convert to the political religious power of the Pharaoh,while the sharing scribes adhered to the values of “The House of Life” through exile.Some traditionalists betrayed their responsibilities and became experts representing the Arab court,while others insisted on their original responsibilities as amateurs.Scholars are divided between those who follow Western culture and who seek to explore and restore ancient Egyptian culture.The fifth chapter analyzes Armah’s vision of the cultural mission of African intellectuals.Through the stories of intellectuals from ancient Egypt to the colonial period,Armah proposes a revival program to rebuild African culture on the basis of ancient Egyptian culture and calls on contemporary African intellectuals to take up this cultural mission by actively practicing and reforming African education.The sixth chapter is the conclusion of this thesis.It summarizes the cultural duties,dilemmas and cultural choices faced by successive generations of African intellectuals in the novel,as well as Armah’s vision of the cultural missions of African intellectuals.