In the Fog of seasons’ End

 The novel In the Fog of Seasons End, the author (La Guma) depicts picture of a colonialized states where the people do not have basic rights. Indeed, oppression is visible in significant parts of the novel where trial is relatively casual. The author is one of the victims of the oppressive colonial masters who dominate their country. Actually, at a particular time, he has to free his country together with the family for fear of his life. The author was relatively conflicting with the authorities that did not want any person who challenged their existence. However, the only way to enlighten the society is through information, which he achieved through newspaper articles. Through his efforts, he motivated who designed Freedom Charter with the intent of forcing the colonial rule out of their country. Such move amounted to a form of treason to the colonial rulers and the punishment was detention without trial. A look into the novel ideas shows conflict between content and form in the entire novel.

Ways Form and Content Conflict in La Guma Novel 

There are different conflicts that are identifiable between content and form in La Guma novel in the fog of seasons’ end, especially in depicting physical and human landscape. The author creates an atmosphere that shows injustice that is available on the black people. However, he presents this theme through use of different characters that are evident in the entire novel. The characters have distinct roles that match the theme of the novel and helps bring the suffering of the blacks in the society during the colonial era. He does not use complexity in giving roles to the characters done by other writers on colonization. Indeed, when communicating, the roles of character are an important element in advancing a novel. However, La Guma goes against this thought and thinks differently on how to make characters relatively visible throughout the novel. He relies on psychological approach to place different character to fit specific roles that match their behavior. Therefore, it becomes relatively easy for the audience to relate with any character in the novel. However, the relatively avoidance of using physical plane on the characters tones down his work. The consequence is development of flat and opaque characters who suffer from criticism. 

Actually, La Guma argues that though traditions require respect to some extent in order to live to the expectation of the people. Indeed, through errors and trials people are accustomed to ignoring some tradition with the realization that they only limit their capacity to enjoy life. Through lowering complexity of characters, the author aims to support and avoid hindrances that affect flow of information in the novel. The sensitivity and experience of the writer influences the trend in depicting the character trait of different actors in varying methods. There are incidences of submissiveness in the society under colonialism, which the author struggles to overcome. The relationship that the author presents in the novel forges between him and the audience. The audience expects the author to bring unity between contemporary forces and tradition. However, the writer perspective is different from this approach and ignores elements that seem to bring this kind of relationship in the novel. The writer struggles to show a contrast between reality and appearances in individuals suffering from oppressive colonialism. The writing under pressure influences the writer to slow fictive elements in his novel that bring out raw materials in literary art. 

How a Reader can understand the Conflict  

The readers of La Guma novel are likely to undergrad the conflicts as a way of presenting realities in relatively abstract form. Indeed, the fact that he simplifies his characteristic makes it possible for readers to understand the mesas age relatively fast. However, the readers are also likely to identify the novel as a way of expressing his thoughts through a contrast between traditions and reality. The period the novel is during the colonialism and issues of Apartheid in South Africa. Therefore, it brings pictures of the suffering the black people were undergoing through the hands of their white masters. The suffering limits them from enjoying the productivity of their country in addition to deciding about what goals to pursue in their life. Further, the conflicts serve to elevate the thinking of reader to understanding some other aspects of literary works such as static characters. The types of characters do not change over the cause of the novel and readers can significantly guess their next t move as they read the novel. The readers can relate to the characters in the novel and understand why they are acting in certain manner. Therefore, it becomes relatively easy for the readier to identify various themes that the writer presents in the novel. Additionally, the readers can artistically identify with the approach of inclining to sociology instead of psychology. Therefore, the reader can understand how the physical environment influences the behavior of characters in different contexts. 

How the Conflict can be Resolved 

The conflict arising between content and form in the novel needs resolution through use of aesthetics and imaginations that create a sense of appeal to the reader. The resolution is achievable through enhancing vivid impression of the characters throughout the novel. The narration further requires adapting chronological system where transition from different characters is smooth. In addition, the conflict resolution also requires use of flashbacks to bring the reader to understanding source of some behavior present in some characters. Further, the novel needs to show specific purposes of the characters revealing their traits that are consistent and credible. The impact is ability of readers to relate the story line with the theme that the writer gives his novel. The plot of the novel also requires developing character action actions that build on opening situation that change through the novel. Actually, by the end of the novel he writer requires to portray some inventiveness degree to support either a climax or turning point. 

Conclusion 

There are evident conflict between content and form in the novel In the Fog Seasons’ End by La Guma who aims to depict the situation that was evident during colonialism in South Africa. The writers fail to provide complex characters and these results to some sense of a flat novel to the reader. The situation is different from other writers who complicate the traits of their characters as they present different themes. The writer significantly inclines to sociological outlook of the society instead of psychological approach. The resultant is confusion in readers between understanding abstract form from realities. However, the confusion is solvable through proper use of aesthetics and imagination in the characters. Chronological system of presenting events in the novel is also necessary to reduce identified conflict.