Complexity Simplified

Despite the fact that I did not necessarily enjoy the author’s style of writing in this novel, I was able to appreciate the ultimate effect it had on the overall makeup of the story which Tutuola sought to convey. The stark simplicity of the writing seemed to me to only more dramatically emphasize the ideas behind the work, rather than focusing on their manner of representation. Serving as a contrast to the previous writers analyzed in the course thus far, Tutuola seemed to have no prevailing issue with language or worries concerning exactly how his story should be conveyed or to what audience. Tutuola’s main concern seemed to be simply on the content itself.

Though not elaborately artistic in its presentation of wording, Tutuola’s work clearly demonstrated a very creative scheming in the overall content and presentation of ideas. In my opinion, it also struck me as being extremely comparable to biblical narratives, such as those of the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Like this novel, the biblical passages are generally very straightforward though allegorical. Many of the biblical stories, such as those of Joseph with his variety of trials and vivid allegorical dreams which he is called on to interpret, seem simultaneously simple yet bizarre. Like the allegorical writings of the Bible, Tutuola’s narrative was also an undeniably easy read, but unless analyzed further, probably left one somewhat dissatisfied with the stories presented. As an allegorical writing its simple wording left more room to focus on interpretation and uncovering the deeper meaning embedded within the seemingly simple structure.