An examination of the dynamics of power in Ayi Kwei Armah's The beautyful ones are not yet born and The healers

by (Nafeesa Tarajee), 1977- Nichols

After closely reading the works of Ayi Kwei Armah questions about the dynamics of power arose. What are the different conceptions of power? How does Armah use power in his fiction? I closely analyzed two of Armah’s works: The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born (1968) and The Healers (1978). Along with scholarly research, and contextualization I concluded the following: Armah must be understood within the context of his personal experiences, political affiliations, and the historical climate. Armah presented social power dynamics through a scientific, Marxist analysis. He combined social science with an understanding of culture. Finally he used the power of literary aesthetics in the hopes inducing social change.