JOURNAL ARTICLE

Exploring the Construction of Professional Identity through Acts of Resistance: A Literary Analysis of J.M. Magaisa's A-E-I-O-U Poem.

  • Published In: Journal of African Languages & Literary Studies (JoALLS), 2026, v. 7, n. 1. P. 27 1 of 3

  • Database: Communication Source 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Maluleke, Ndzalama; Mlambo, Respect 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the construction of professional identity through acts of resistance in J. M. Magaisa’s poem *A-E-I-O-U*, a work by the prominent Xitsonga poet. Using qualitative literary criticism, the study analyzes how the poem’s teacher protagonist resists political recruitment by asserting moral agency and vocational integrity, employing literary devices such as metaphor, biblical allusion, repetition, and silence. The poem critiques societal pressures that equate political engagement with moral and social superiority, instead valorizing teaching as a principled and transformative vocation. This analysis contributes to understanding professional identity formation within African contexts by highlighting how Xitsonga literature encapsulates ideological struggles and ethical resistance amid socio-political coercion.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of African Languages & Literary Studies (JoALLS). 2026/03, Vol. 7, Issue 1, p27
  • Document Type:Literary Criticism
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:2633-2108
  • DOI:10.31920/2633-2116/2026/v7n1a2
  • Accession Number:192859182
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of African Languages & Literary Studies (JoALLS) is the property of Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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