Leisure corrupted: an artist's portrait of leisure in a changing society

Abstract

Theoretical arguments that leisure is the basis of any culture are available. Yet, scarcity in the literature of serious consideration of leisure in non-Western societies demonstrates that the topic has been neglected. One possible explanation for the failure to achieve progress in cultural comparisons of leisure is the lack of data. At least three approaches permit this type of comparison. This paper focuses on a literary approach by investigating how East Africa's most prominent creative writer, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, treats leisure in his most important English language novels. This analysis centers on two of his novels, A Grain of Wheat and Petals of Blood. The two novels are complex, intricate stories drawing heavily on Western philosophy and literature as well as African folklore. Although Ngugi suggests that leisure is the foundation of civilization, the fibre that makes the cloth of society, he portrays leisure distinctively in social terms likely to surprise those familiar with Western traditions of leisure.

Anti-leisure in dystopian fiction: the literature of leisure in the worst of all possible worlds

“…Leisure may be viewed, functionally, as activity conducted at distinct times of revivi cation, or, classically, as a deliberative or contemplative state more or less independent of time or activity (Sonmez et al, 1993). This latter, humanistic view, is elaborated in Plato's The Republic where he de nes his version of a politically perfect state.…”