MATRIMONIAL PRACTS AND METAPHORICAL RESOURCES IN OLA ROTIMI’S OUR HUSBAND HAS GONE MAD AGAIN

Abstract

Metaphoric use of language is one of the features of literature, be it drama, prose or poetry. Using Mey’s (2001) theory of pragmatic acts, this paper is out to consider the matrimonial practs and metaphorical resources in Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again with the objectives of identifying the matrimonial issues that metaphors raise in the text, discussing the types of metaphors in it, highlighting the practs metaphors demonstrated as well as accounting for the implications of the metaphors for the matrimonial themes raised in the text. For data, the text is thoroughly read and the thirty instances of metaphors identified are categorized for analysis. It is revealed that besides the broad themes of highhandedness and materialism of Nigerian politicians, marital issues such as marital disappointment/ unfaithfulness, rivalry and jealousy as well as reconciliation are also raised within the ambits of the metaphors used in the text. The metaphors are animal, plant, building and water-related and they pract accusing, attacking, condemning, destroying and correcting within the pragmatic resources of inference, reference and shared cultural knowledge, among others. Because most of the metaphors are used to destroy or condemn, they ignite crises in the text. The implication of this for families therefore is that language has the power to enhance or mar marital stability. Couples should therefore be careful in their choice of words when relating with each other, particularly when serious issues are being discussed, to avert marital crises or separation.