A SOCIAL CATEGORISATION STUDY OF ELNATHAN JOHN’S BORN ON A TUESDAY

Abstract

This paper explores the themes of violence and rebellion in Northern Nigerian fiction, focusing on Elnathan John’s Born on a Tuesday. It addresses a significant gap in scholarship, as most studies on Northern Nigeria focus predominantly on fundamentalism and terrorism, without fully examining the underlying causes of these issues. Using Social Categorisation theory, as developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, this study investigates how identity-based divisions contribute to societal violence. Social categorisation, both in society and literature, accounts for how individuals classify themselves and others into social groups, often leading to an "in-group" versus "out-group" mentality that fuels conflict. This research provides a fresh perspective on Northern Nigeria conflict by emphasising the importance of political influences, which are frequently overlooked in discussions of Boko Haram insurgency, religious intolerance, and neighbourhood violence. The study also challenges the redundancy in the exploration of John's text by offering a unique political analysis of the themes of violence and rebellion. It, ultimately, presents that John's proposed solutions advocate for unity by rejecting divisive social categories, in order to secure peace and stability in Northern Nigeria.