Elika Ortega-Guzm   

Abstract

The study of orality in written texts is explored in African Literature by both writers and critics. But despite the attempts of critics to describe as broadly as possible the different manifestations of orality in written texts, writers have constantly shifted to new forms of bringing together oral and written elements. One such writer is Yvonne Vera.

In this paper, I have explored the way in which Vera, in her novel Under the Tongue, takes the use of orality a step further by 'oralizing' the thoughts, rather than the words, of her mute protagonist, Zhizha. This oralizing constitutes a narrative paradox as the narrative comes from the protagonist's mute voice. Through this strategy, Vera also manages to grant her protagonist a voice to represent herself and tell her story of abuse. The emphasis on the abused girl does not, however, cancel the possibility of 'hearing the other's side' as the father-rapist's story of alienation and powerlessness is also presented. By bringing together orality and writing as well as the characters of the abused and the abuser, Vera points to the power of words, speech and of telling stories as the means to fight silence and taboos.

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