SATIRE IN THE POETRY OF MUSA I. OKPANACHI AND JOSEPH CHRISTOPHER

Abstract

This paper addresses the use of satire as a tool in contemporary Nigerian Poetry as depicted in some selected poems of Musa I. Okpanachi and Joseph C.P Christopher. Poets adopt the use of satire as their style to improve the society by criticizing and ridiculing anyone engaged in vices which are often detrimental to a majority of the less privileged. Poets depict the vices in their societies in a satiric style that scorn and cast aspersion on the follies of their leaders, the people and the societal structure as a whole. They also address the imbalance in the society and the adverse effects of such on the Nigerian society. Moreover, the study focuses on how satire as atool for reparation can serveas a basis or an attempt for civil change. The research brings out the significant achievement of the two poets in using satire. Okpanachi uses juvenilia satire which is said to be more confrontational in his poetry in an attempt to expose the evil happening in the society to his readers. Christopher on the other hand is less confrontational. He uses menippean satire which creates awareness to his readers. The sociological approach has been adopted for the purpose of this research.