1. Irony and Humor:
* Understatement and Sarcasm: Oyono frequently employs understated language and sarcasm to highlight the absurdity of colonial attitudes and practices. For example, the narrator's description of the "civilizing mission" as "a great work of mercy" is laced with irony.
* Humor as a Weapon: The novel uses humor, often dark and biting, to expose the hypocrisy and ridiculousness of colonial rule. This humor serves to undermine the authority of the colonizers and challenge their self-proclaimed superiority.
2. Juxtaposition and Contrast:
* Contrasting Perspectives: The novel juxtaposes the perspectives of the colonized and the colonizers, revealing the stark differences in their experiences and understandings of the world. This contrast exposes the inherent inequalities and injustices of colonialism.
* Cultural Clash: Oyono highlights the clash of cultures by showcasing the contrasting values, beliefs, and practices of the colonized and colonizers. This clash underscores the disruptive and destructive nature of colonialism.
3. Narrator's Voice and Perspective:
* Subversive Narrator: The narrator, a young African man named Toundi, is a keen observer of the colonial world. He uses his position as a "houseboy" to gain insights into the workings of the colonial system and to critique its flaws. His voice is often sardonic and insightful, revealing a nuanced understanding of both the colonizers and the colonized.
* Shifting Perspective: Oyono utilizes shifts in perspective, allowing readers to see events from different angles and to understand the complexities of the colonial situation. This shifting perspective encourages critical thinking about the various forces at play.
4. Symbolism and Allegory:
* The Mission School: The mission school, a symbol of colonial education, is depicted as a place where African traditions and values are suppressed and replaced with European ones. This institution serves as a metaphor for the process of cultural imperialism.
* The Houseboy: The position of the "houseboy" itself becomes a powerful symbol of the colonized's subservient role in the colonial system. Toundi's experiences as a houseboy highlight the dehumanizing and exploitative nature of colonial power.
5. Themes of Dehumanization and Exploitation:
* Exploitation of Labor: Oyono details the harsh working conditions and exploitation faced by the colonized, highlighting the economic benefits that colonialism brought to the colonizers at the expense of the colonized.
* Psychological Manipulation: The novel portrays how colonialism seeks to break down the colonized's sense of self-worth and identity, replacing their traditional beliefs with those of the colonizers.
By employing these various narrative techniques, Oyono effectively satirizes the evils of colonialism, exposing its hypocrisy, cruelty, and destructive nature. He challenges the colonial ideology and presents a powerful critique of the system that ultimately leads to the suffering and dehumanization of the colonized.