“The Poetics of the Lyric Figure: Analyzing Structures of Tension, Fantasy and Sensation in Poetry Collections”
Country of Study
Zambia
Institution
University of Zambia
Expected Year of Completion
2025
Thematic Area
Indigenous Knowledge Systems/Literature
Education
Anna’s PhD thesis is in Literature. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Literature from the University of Zambia. A writer by profession, she is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Zambia and is expected to complete her PhD in 2028.
Research Summary
Anna’s research explores lyric poetry in African poetry collections, an area that has not been adequately analyzed in the context of lyric theory. While existing studies, such as Culler’s (2015) theory, focus on European and American poems, Anna’s project applies Culler’s theory to poetry collections by African authors such as Kayo Chingonyi, Chimwemwe Undi, and Mubanga Kalimamukwento. The research aims to examine how lyric language functions in these collections and whether Culler’s theory can be applied to African poetry, or if alternative theories are needed. With poetry theory underdeveloped and largely unexplored in African literature, Anna seeks to fill this gap by analyzing lyric language through a qualitative approach, applying and expanding on current lyric theory to better understand the structure and components of African poetry. The ultimate goal is to produce new knowledge and provide readers with the tools to interpret lyric poetry in African collections, contributing to the broader field of literary theory.
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