Chuo Kikuu Cha Kenyatta Shule Ya Fani Na Sayansi Ya Jamii Muundo Na Mtindo Katika Diwani Huru Za Msimu Wa Tisa Na Rangi Ya Anga (Structure And Style In The Anthologies Of Msimu Wa Tisa And

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this research was to analyze and evaluate the use of structure and style in the two anthologies of Msimu wa Tisa and Rangi ya Anga and their effectiveness in enabling the reader to understand the message. The study aimed at analyzing the features of structure in the two anthologies, analysis of graphological features of style as well as the use of symbolism (metaphor, simile, imagery, metonymy and allegory) and register in the two anthologies by Kithaka wa Mberia. The primary source of data was sampled from collection of poems written by Kithaka wa Mberia namely: Msimu wa Tisa (2007) and Rangi ya Anga (2014). The two anthologies were purposefully selected due to their diversity in structure and style. The poet, being a Kenyan native, made it easy to identify with his work. His swiftness of thoughts, uniqueness of his perspective and progressivity of his poise is extremely compelling forcing the reader to experience something new. Data was analyzed through close reading of the poems, theses, citations, magazines and reference books. Interview with the author was also used to get the secondary data. This research used two theories of literary criticism namely: structuralism and stylistics. The initiator of structuralism was Ferdinand De Saussure in the 20th Century. Culler (1975) specifically applied structuralism to the analysis of poetry. In this case, a poem was seen as an object freed from the control and intention of the author and that any interpretation should be based on the relations of statements and words in the text. Since this theory doesn‟t lay emphasis on the context, the researcher used the second theory to cater for the contextual problems raised in the poems. The second theory, Stylistics was initiated by Coombes (1953) and expounded by Leech (1969). This theory stresses the use of style as a strategy of portraying beauty in literature. The project was divided into six chapters and presented descriptively. Features of structure and style in the two anthologies were found to be fundamental in writing, analysis and appreciation of poetry. In this case, the findings of the study indicated that the author of the two anthologies doesn‟t write out of a vacuum or without knowledge but with a perceived intention to use language in a way that attracts and enables the reader to understand his/her message. In these anthologies, rhythm isn‟t determined by rhyme and the use of meter in a stanza as it is in prosodic verse but it is determined by the flow of thoughts in the mind of the poet which as well determines the structure and style of the poem. This research was targeted to benefit researchers, poets, lecturers and scholars in understanding and analyzing the features of structure and style in the two anthologies. The anthologies are not a collection of words but have poetic features that portray creativity and innovation in the use of language.