Chapter 12
Love, Religion, Art, and Traditionalism in Okigbo’s Poetry.
Christopher Okigbo, perhaps because of the turgidity of his poetry, has not enjoyed the robust literary criticism which his contemporaries -- especially Wole Soyinka, Kofi Awoonor, and Dennis Brutus -- have enjoyed. A close reading of his poetry shows that, until scholars pay a close attention to the four major themes which he explores, the misunderstanding about his poetry will likely continue. These four themes center on love, religion, art, and traditionalism. This essay, therefore, discusses these areas in order to bring clarity, understanding and a better appreciation to Okigbo’s poetic art.