Dream as a Journey of Self-discovery in Ben Okri’s “Dreaming of Byzantium”
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: SummaryThis article explores the way in which the dream episode in “Dreaming of Byzantium”, a short story in Ben Okri’s collection Prayer for the Living (2019), serves as a journey of self-discovery. It begins by drawing attention to Okri’s views on journey and dream, two recurring motifs in his work. It then offers a close reading of the short story, paying particular attention to the reality/unreality interplay that appears to underpin much of his work. Analysis of the discourse and content of the dream episode may illuminate the nature of the self-discovery experience the protagonist gains at the end of the story.
Source: Journal of Literary Studies
Author: Marcel Khombe Mangwanda
Institution: University of South Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $388
OpenAlex ID: W3084300664