Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in J.P. Clark's The Raft has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of The Raft tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with stagecraft as a stylistic device in service of tradition versus modernity receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While J.P. Clark's The Raft is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its stagecraft functions specifically in relation to tradition versus modernity. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of stagecraft in J.P. Clark's The Raft.
2. To analyze how stagecraft contributes to the portrayal of tradition versus modernity.
3. To assess the effectiveness of stagecraft as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
4. To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How is stagecraft used in J.P. Clark's The Raft?
2. In what ways does stagecraft contribute to the portrayal of tradition versus modernity?
3. How effective is stagecraft as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
4. How does this reading relate to the broader body of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to students and teachers of theatre arts, offering a close reading of J.P. Clark's The Raft that can support classroom discussion and further critical work. It also contributes to the broader body of scholarship on Nigerian literary and linguistic studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to a close textual analysis of stagecraft within The Raft, reflecting a clearly defined scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.