Journey through the compelling literary universe of Chinua Achebe, recognised as a significant historian and novelist. This resource provides an in-depth exploration of Achebe's life, career, and profound influence on English literature. Discover details about one of his major works, 'Things Fall Apart,' its plot, characters, and Achebe's unique perspective on colonialism. Venture beyond to encounter his lesser-known but equally impactful works, as well as intriguing biographical nuggets that further illuminate Achebe's stature in the literary world. This article promises to immerse you in the enriched realm of Chinua Achebe’s narrative brilliance.
Who is Chinua Achebe: An Introduction to the Historian and Novelist
A name synonymous with African literature and post-colonial studies, Chinua Achebe is a towering figure whose role in the narrative of English literature you cannot afford to ignore. This article will delve into the life, career, and impact of this influential author.
Chinua Achebe, hailed as the ‘father of modern African literature’ has significantly influenced how African stories are told and received worldwide.
Brief Overview: Chinua Achebe Biography
Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe, known as Chinua Achebe, was born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, Nigeria and passed away on March 21, 2013. He is best recognized globally for his novel, "Things Fall Apart," which has been translated into more than 50 languages.
| Name | Chinua Achebe |
| Born | 16th November 1930 |
| Died | 21st March 2013 |
| Known for | "Things Fall Apart" |
Biography: a written account of a person’s life.
Early Life and Education: Chinua Achebe Facts
Achebe was born into the Igbo, one of Nigeria's significant ethnic groups. He attended University College (now the University of Ibadan) in 1948, opting to read English, History, and Theology.
- Born: 1930, Ogidi, Nigeria
- Education: University College (now University of Ibadan)
- Field of study: English, History, Theology
A notable instance of Achebe’s early life influencing his work is evident in his portrayal of Igbo society in his novel 'Things Fall Apart'.
Career Path: Chinua Achebe Books
Achebe began his writing career in the 1950s, with "Things Fall Apart" featuring as his debut novel. Other influential works include "No Longer at Ease," "Arrow of God," and "A Man of the People."
- 1958: Things Fall Apart
- 1960: No Longer at Ease
- 1964: Arrow of God
- 1966: A Man of the People
Achebe’s Impact on English Literature
Achebe's significance lies in his ability to infuse African oral traditions within English literature, shedding light onto the complex societies and rich histories often ignored in Western literature. His works have played a significant role in shaping post-colonial literature.
English Literature: the body of written works produced in the English language, including those from the United Kingdom, the United States, and countries influenced by British Colonial rule.
Deep Dive: Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
Let's journey into the heart of Achebe's seminal work, "Things Fall Apart". This novel holds the unique distinction of being one of the first African novels written in English to gather global acclaim, it is widely considered Achebe's masterpiece.
Did you know? "Things Fall Apart" has sold over 20 million copies around the world and has been translated into 57 languages, making it the most widely read book in modern African literature.
Plot Overview of Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
"Things Fall Apart" is a compelling narrative set in pre-colonial Igbo society in Nigeria during the late 1800s. It tells the tale of Okonkwo, an influential warrior in the Umuofia Clan, grappling with the changing societal dynamics ushered in by European colonialism and Christianity.
The novel is divided into three parts. The first section portrays Okonkwo's life and the customs of the Igbo society. The second section depicts Okonkwo's seven-year exile to his motherland, Mbanta. The third part outlines the erosion of traditional African values with the advent of the Europeans and Okonkwo's ultimate demise.
Key Characters in Things Fall Apart
Each character in "Things Fall Apart" is meticulously crafted to represent various facets of Igbo society, or the intrusive influence of colonial forces. Here's a brief overview:
- Okonkwo: The protagonist, known for his masculinity and fear of weakness and failure.
- Unoka: Okonkwo's father, whose love for music and indifference to warfare were viewed as signs of weakness.
- Nwoye: Okonkwo's eldest son, who embodies the changing Nigerian social landscape through his conversion to Christianity.
- Ezinma: Okonkwo's favourite daughter, who challenges gender norms.
- Mr. Brown: The first White Christian missionary in Umuofia and Mbanta, who attempts to peacefully convert the inhabitants to Christianity.
For example, through Nwoye's character, Achebe portrays the allure of new, foreign ideas and the subsequent internal conflict experienced by individuals caught between tradition and change.
Themes and Motifs in Things Fall Apart
"Things Fall Apart" explores a plethora of themes, each intrinsically woven into the structured social fabric of the Igbo community. Some of the more prominent themes are:
- Conflict between Tradition and Change: The transformation of Nigerian societies by European colonialism and Christianity forms the central theme.
- Struggle for Individual Independence: Okonkwo's efforts to assert his personal identity against societal expectations demonstrates the human desire for personal self-determination.
- Fate and Free Will: Achebe explores the extent of control humans have over their lives; while certain events are predestined ('Chi' or personal god in Igbo belief), human actions can indeed influence situations.
Themes: The underlying ideas that are deeply incorporated into the narrative, often referring to abstract concepts such as love, courage, identity, and more.
Chinua Achebe and His Take on Colonialism
Chinua Achebe's body of work is remarkable for its incisive exploration of the impact of colonialism on African societies. His nuanced representation of cultural clashes, colonialism, and its consequences are hallmarks of his writing style, offering contrasting perspectives to Western narratives of African history.
Achebe's Perspective on African History: Chinua Achebe Colonialism
Achebe was not one to shy away from depicting the brutally transformative power of colonialism on traditional African societies. His novels illuminate the African perspective, meticulously representing the social dynamics, cultural richness, and functioning governmental structures that existed before the advent of Europeans. This approach, often absent in Western narratives, provides a much-needed balance to the stereotypical views often portrayed.
In his essay "An Image of Africa," Achebe criticises Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for dehumanising Africans, further arguing that such depictions have shaped the Western view of Africa.
Colonialism: A practice of domination, which involves the subjugation of one people to another. It is a process where the mother country establishes settlements and imposes its economic, political, and social aspects on the colonised territory.
Achebe points critical insights on colonialism noting, "The colonialist subjugation of the African past, of its culture, religion and history, by a conscious and deliberate suppression and distortion of facts, is at the root of the wide ignorance in the African past today."
Portrayal of Colonialism in Things Fall Apart
"Things Fall Apart" gives a nuanced view of the encroachment of colonial powers in traditional African societies. The latter half of the novel outlines how the coming of Europeans and their religion Christianity disrupted the social and political structures of the Igbo society, triggering a collapse of the status quo.
Notably, Achebe does not represent Europeans as merely evil intruders, but as carriers of a system fundamentally different from, and incongruent with, the existing Igbo ways of life. This is perceptible in characters like Mr. Brown, who despite being a symbol of colonial power, attempts peaceful and respectful dialogue with the Igbos.
| Character | Representation |
| Okonkwo | Resisting change |
| Nwoye | Embracing change |
| Mr. Brown | Colonial force |
A chief example of this is Okonkwo's recalcitrance towards the new religious and political order Vs Nwoye's acceptance and conversion to Christianity, highlighting individual and societal responses to colonial influences.
Impact of Achebe's View on Colonialism on English Literature
Achebe's portrayal of colonialism exerted a profound impact on not only African literature but English literature as a whole, by challenging Western ideas about African societies. His novels have incited introspection and critical re-evaluation of literature from a global perspective, addressing the Western-centric bias.
His raw depiction of the effects of colonialism provides a critical framework for reading and interpreting both the colonial and post-colonial literature that followed. Indeed, post-colonial readings of canonical texts now often include analysis of aspects of colonial oppression, native resistance and cultural negotiations underlined in Achebe's writing.
Post-colonial Literature: A body of literary works that addresses the themes and problems of decolonization, such as identity, culture, and power dynamics between the colonised and the coloniser.
Beyond Things Fall Apart: Other Noteworthy Chinua Achebe Books
While "Things Fall Apart" is often spotlighted as Chinua Achebe's defining masterpiece, his collection of works extends beyond this novel. Achebe has penned several other books that equally express the complexities of African experiences, both before and during the colonial period. Each novel encapsulates a unique attribute of African culture and society, rendering Achebe's contribution to literature anything but monolithic.
A Man of the People: Another Classic by Achebe
"A Man of the People", published in 1966, is a political satire written from the perspective of a cynical, yet amusingly observant narrator named Odili. The novel is set in an unnamed African country and probes the issues of corruption, political unrest, and moral dissolution in post-independence leadership.
Chief Nanga, the 'Man of the People', embodies a breed of corrupt politicians manipulating the people's trust for personal gain. Despite his dubious practices, he continues to be celebrated by the masses.
Satire: A genre of literature that uses humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticise prevailing immorality or foolishness, typically in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
The collision of traditional values and modern ethos forms another critical narrative strand in the novel. This clash is particularly pronounced in the complex character interactions, unveiling the underlying cultural tensions.
- Odili Samalu: A young intellectual critical of the political system.
- Chief Nanga: A popular yet corrupt politician who rose from humble beginnings.
- Edna: A young girl courted by both Odili and Chief Nanga, symbolising the struggle for power.
A striking example of this cultural tension is observed when Chief Nanga, who publicly extols the virtues of traditional African life, easily adapts to Western style lavishness, revealing the hypocrisy inherent in his character.
Arrow of God: Unveiling Traditional Igbo Society
"Arrow of God", published in 1964, draws heavily on traditional Igbo culture and folkways. Set in the 1920s during the colonial era, the novel journeys into the life of Ezeulu, the chief priest of Ulu, who grapples with maintaining religious authority amidst colonial intrusions.
Folkways: The traditional behaviour or way of life of a particular community or group of people.
The title "Arrow of God" refers to Ezeulu's belief that his actions are directed by the god Ulu. Achebe deftly parallels Ezeulu's struggle with the larger resistance of African societies to Western domination.
Some of the overriding themes include conflict between personal and communal identity; and the struggle between change and tradition, mirroring the chaos of changing power dynamics in colonial Nigeria.
- Ezeulu: The rigidly traditional chief priest of Ulu.
- Oduche: Ezeulu's son, who converts to Christianity.
- Winterbottom: The British colonial administrator.
No Longer at Ease: Achebe’s Look at Post-Colonial Nigeria
No Longer at Ease, published in 1960, forms the second part of Achebe's 'African Trilogy'. The novel follows Obi Okonkwo, grandson of the protagonist from "Things Fall Apart", who returns to Nigeria after receiving education in Britain only to find himself entangled in the mesh of corruption and bureaucracy.
Post-Colonial: Referring to the period after the end of colonial rule. This term can also denote the study of the cultural implications—affects on the society, people, and culture—of colonialism and decolonisation.
The title is derived from a line in T.S. Eliot's poem, The Journey of the Magi, reflecting the protagonist's inability to feel at ease in his native land, due to the significant societal changes resulting from colonial rule.
Themes include the struggle of adapting to the effects of colonialism, the moral decay in post-colonial societies, and the tension between the old and the new, which Achebe portrays through Obi's character progression.
- Obi Okonkwo: Western-educated Nigerian battling with the expectations of his family and the seductions of bribery.
- Isaac Okonkwo: Obi's father, a devout Christian.
- Clara Okeke: Obi's love interest, who belongs to the ostracised Osu caste.
Clara’s Osu background incites a significant conflict where Obi must choose between love and deep-seated societal customs, reflecting the struggle between evolving attitudes and traditional beliefs.
Digging Deeper: Less-known Chinua Achebe Facts
You've gained a good understanding of Chinua Achebe's life, work, and influence. Let's further explore some lesser-known facts about Achebe that shape his position as a monumental figure in literature and offer interesting perspectives on his ideologies.
Achebe's Lesser-known Fact: His Views on Language
An interesting but often overlooked aspect of Achebe's life is his profound respect and advocacy for the power of language. Achebe believed that language was much more than a mere communication tool—it was an artifact of culture and a mould of identity.
Language: A method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.
Rejecting the notion that colonised societies should discard their native languages, Achebe argued that African thoughts and beliefs could be expressed in English, albeit in a way that incorporated distinct African flavour.
In his essay "The African Writer and the English Language," Achebe discusses how he fashioned the English language to depict African oral traditions, indicating how language can be manipulated to serve specific cultural purposes.
Achebe notably stated, "I feel that the English language will be able to carry the weight of my African experiences. But it will have to be a new English, still in full communion with its ancestral home, but altered to suit its new African surroundings."
Achebe and the Literary World
In addition to his writing, Achebe was an influential contributor to the larger literary world. He co-founded a literary series "African Writers Series (AWS)" in 1962 with the mission to publish and promote works of African authors in English. This platform played a significant role in boosting the visibility of African literature globally.
African Writers Series (AWS): A series of books by African writers, mainly in English, that has been published by Heinemann since 1962. The series aims to publish work from across Africa, thus providing a significant platform for new and emerging writers.
Achebe was also well-regarded for his critiquing abilities; his essay "An Image of Africa" is a thorough critique of Joseph Conrad's novella "Heart of Darkness", challenging Western literary norms and postulating a new viewpoint on the presentation of Africa in literature.
Chinua Achebe: The Man and The Writer
Achebe was not only a great author but also a compassionate humanitarian. This is evident in his work in broadcasting with the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, where he used radio as a medium to enlighten the public. Later, during the Nigerian civil war, Achebe served as a diplomat for Biafra, working ceaselessly to solicit support for the Biafran cause.
Biafra: A secessionist state in eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra. The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural, and religious tensions among the various peoples of Nigeria.
In the literary realm, Achebe stood against the commoditisation of African literature for Western consumption. His firm stance that African literature should primarily be for Africans and not a mere anthropological study for the West often put him at odds with prominent Western critics.
A defining example of Achebe's dedication to his roots and beliefs is when he rejected the Nigerian government's attempt to honour him with a national award – twice, as a protest against the political atmosphere in the country.
Chinua Achebe - Key takeaways
- Chinua Achebe: Known for infusing African oral traditions within English literature, thereby giving voice to complex societies and rich histories often ignored in Western literature.
- "Things Fall Apart": Achebe's seminal work and one of the first African novels written in English to gain global acclaim. It tells the tale of Okonkwo, an influential warrior in the Umuofia Clan, grappling with the societal changes brought by European colonialism and Christianity.
- Achebe's Take on Colonialism: His works are notable for exploring the impact of colonialism on African societies. He offers a nuanced representation of cultural clashes, contrasting with typical Western narratives of African history.
- Achebe's Other Works: Apart from "Things Fall Apart", Achebe wrote other significant books like "A Man of the People", "Arrow of God", and "No Longer at Ease", each expressing the complexities of African experiences, both before and during the colonial period.
- Achebe's Views on Language: He believed language to be not just a communication tool but an artifact of culture and a mould of identity, challenging the idea that colonised societies should discard their native tongues.
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