Chinua Achebe is an accomplished African author, poet, writer, historian, educator, novelist, civil rights activist, politician, and a professor. He immensely contributed to the Africa literature, making the world give attention to literary works by African. His father and mother were poor and illiterate. They never wanted him to go to school, but he benefited from the schools established by the Christian missionaries. Achebe is a talented and amazing writer.He had always shown interest in promoting his community cultures and traditions. Achebe developed a hobby for reading at a young age, which became part of him as a man. He was influenced to become a writer as a result of his perception of Joyce Cary writings. His books were unique in style and writing as he skillfully blends Ibo words with English. Achebe wrote critical essays and novels at some certain period to address political situations of Nigeria. He relocated to the United States after surviving a fatal car crash. His works have inspired thousands, making him a great mentor for the younger generation. Many of the novels are incorporated into the school curriculum in many west African countries.
He adopted a unique style of writing by blending his African culture into the western way. His unique style made him universally accepted. He was very active and involved
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during the civil war in Nigeria(African Bio). First, Achebe was born in the Ogidi eastern part of Nigeria. He was born thirty years before Nigeria got her independence from the British government on November 16th, 1930. A day marked historically in African calendar. He was raised in the Christian faith, even though Christianity as a religion was somewhat new in the community. Achebe, as a kid was interested in the local religions of the community as those, seem appealing to him through his friends. He participated in some of the traditional religion activities such as festivals and parades. Achebe in high school was exposed to the writings of several authors, most English writers probably due to the colonization of Nigeria as at that time. He carefully examined the works of Charles Dickens, Johnathan Swift, and William Shakespeare. He was fascinated with their books and novels, Achebe also read an African book written by Joseph Conrad. At graduation from high school realized he was less interested his African culture and thereby conforming to associate himself to his local traditions. (Africa) "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Achebe first step towards greatness as a kid was developing a good reading habit at a very young age. He stood out in high school, reading a vast number of novels and stories written by English authors. He read actively, gaining insights and ideas. Achebe became accustomed to his reading and unconsciously he began adopting the western cultures and norms. After he got admission to study medicine at the University of Ibadan, he opted to study liberal arts. During his course of study, he happened to read a book by Joyce Cary "Mister Johnson", the book narrated the life of Nigerians. However, he concluded that the book made inaccurate assumptions about Nigeria. It was at this point he decided to become a writer. Ever since his self-discovery, he vowed to reject the negative view of Africa that he had unconsciously accepted during his upbringing in the British colonial era (African Bio). He authored several journals and articles for the campus newspaper and University herald. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 1953 and he secured an employment with the Nigeria broadcasting corporation in Lagos. He actually began working on his new project which will later become the critically acclaimed novel Things Fall Apart. Okonkwo the protagonist was completed at this time (Africa). Things fall apart was published in 1958, it was a major breakthrough and success. The novel helped enact him as part of the literary canon. Things fall apart expressed his rejection for the pessimistic point of view he had already accepted before the independence of Nigeria. In his book, he demonstrated comeliness and the unequaled characteristics of African culture. The colonization of Africa really made the locals adopt the western culture, neglecting their own. He urged Africans to embrace and value their culture as the whites were. Things fall apart has been translated into more than fifty languages in several countries, sold more eight million worldwide. The novel has also been adapted into plays and drama for home video. In the novel, he skillfully incorporates Igbo words, thought patterns, concepts and narratives in his English writing. Also, he introduced linguistic tensions that reflect the cultural tensions at the book's heart. This Made the novel dynamic, with plots and content not being segregated to the African readers, but also to people outside of Africa. He has been decorated with multiple awards and honorary degrees for his as a result of the success of the novel. The unique style of his writing earned him international recognition throughout the world, as he won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1972(African Bio). Most African countries’ literature book gained worldwide attention because of Chinua Achebe’s novel.
Europeans and Americans became interested in knowing more about African cultures and traditions. This created a hunger for Africa’s books, which lead to many young Africans willing to write from the African perspective. Moreover, the world reached an epiphany that writers from African can also add value to the world as a result of the decrease in racism. Achebe continually strives to develop Nigerians as a good writer. In doing so, he established an organization called Okike which serves as Nigeria Journal of New Writing(African
Bio). Achebe as a popular figure was deeply affected by the political situations of Nigeria that he dedicated several of his essays to address the issues.he passed out his views through writing, alerting his readers about possible outcomes of various government policies. In his words: I am a political writer. My politics is concerned with universal human communication across racial and cultural boundaries as a means of fostering respect for all people. Such respect can issue only from understanding. So my primary concern is with clearing the channels of communication in my own neighborhood by hacking away at the thickets that choke them (Contemporary Nov). Furthermore, In 1966, he portrayed the greediness of the corrupt Nigerian politicians in A Man Of The People.Achebe discourses the failures of Nigerian democratic politics. The story reflects the amelioration Nigeria has undergone since the independence. The character Nanga was depicted as a vicious tainted politician who nevertheless succeed to remain popular and successful. The term “ Man of people” seems to point out an admirable individual, but as the story progresses, his hidden agenda and secrets were let out making readers retract the judgment. Within two years of publication, the ideas of the novel became a reality as the nation went to war. All that he envisioned became clearer months after publishing the book, as the country went to war. (Africa). The civil war a result of the multi-ethnicity of Nigeria, with a lot of diversity in culture and languages. The Hausas and the Igbos could not tolerate each other, as both felt they are more superior than one another. This lead to the massacre of several Igbos living in their region. The Igbos then declared war on Nigeria after declaring itself a new country. Achebe as the time was one of the most highly respected elder chose to side the Igbo person's country called Biafran. This marked his entry into the politics. He was appointed the minister of information severed in the position throughout the war. During that time, he traveled to foreign capitals to publicize the plight of Biafrans. The civil war caused panic, destabilizations to the new country as a result of this more than a one million lives were lost. More than half killed died as the result of food starvation and diseases. Chinua Achebe supported the Biafrans physically and mentally. He also contributed financially to the country in terms of aid. Ever since the end of the civil war he also continued to be vocal among the maltreatment of the Igbos, and other war crimes. He also defended the decisions he made during the war(African Bio). The aftermath of the war left numerous scars in the heart of the people.This also affected him as he was psychologically destabilize, depriving him of writing for more than twenty years (Africa) he secured a director position at two separate top publishing company based in Enugu and Ibadan, although he initially worked for the latter company in a different field eight years before. Achebe later incarnated his mental well-being, and he published many essays about the civil war. In March 1990, while traveling to Lagos he was involved in a fatal car accident which changed his life forever. Achebe went to coma at the aftermath collision of the car was admitted to the university of Lagos teaching hospital. His condition was deteriorating then family members decided to relocate him for proper medical assistance. He was moved to the United Kingdom, where the doctors battle to save his life. Within days of arrival to the UK, he was removed from the life support and several surgeries were performed on him. However, He became paralyzed in the leg, as the legs were too damaged by the impact; he became confined to a wheelchair for the rest of life. While recuperating, Investigators concluded the accident was as a result of large pot holes caused by a flood in the area. At this point, Achebe was frustrated with the corruption and bad governance of the politicians in Nigeria, he then exiled himself after sending letters to the current military head of state. He relocated to the United States of America where he was better recognized and respected. In the United States of America, better opportunities came to him, as he was offered several appointments to become a professor in many top universities. By 1991, he accepted to become a professor at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. He lectured at the college for eighteen years, before moving in 2009 to David Marianna Fischer University to become dean of the literature department. While there he was appointed the professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence. He continued to write during his full-time professorship, his book of memoirs Home and Exile was based on the lectures he gave at Harvard University. He describes his upbringing by his newly converted parents, who accepted Christianity through the missionaries, and his take on being apart at cultural crossroads, and how he came to write Things Fall Apart and other works in his collection. In conclusion, Achebe started out as a kid dreaming in Africa, to becoming of one of the most celebrated black writers. As an African author, he distinguished himself by being original in his works describing the African beauty, thus, therefore, made him a pioneer of a new genre in literature.The uniqueness of his writing made him be part of the literary canon.He was also a great supporter of his ethnic origin. He passed away on March 21, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He will always be remembered by his great legacy he left behind(African Bio).
He began reading when most of his friends wouldn’t even think of reading at level. In high school, he was exposed several writings of different author, some of the writers include Charles Dickens (1812-1870), Johnathan Swift (1667-1745) including the great Williams Shakespeare 's(1564-1616), he carefully analyzed their works and was amazed with them. He was fascinated to the point he started adopting the norms of what he has read in them. Before graduating from high, he also had the chance to read some rare works of African cultures by foreigners such was the one written a polish-born English author. Although his books seem to psychologically his way of thinking decided to conform to cohort himself to his local traditions (African). Reading is one of the skills the acquirer earn do, either it was learned a young stage or adult, to read is an aspect, but to write another important which many often consider less necessary important.
Nnoromele, Patrick C.. “The Plight of a Hero in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.” Chinua Achebe's
Chinua Achebe?s Things Fall Apart is a narrative story that follows the life of an African man called Okonkwo. The setting of the book is in eastern Nigeria, on the eve of British colonialism in Africa. The novel illustrates Okonkwo?s struggles, triumphs, and his eventual downfall, all of which basically coincide with the Igbo?s society?s struggle with the Christian religion and British government. In this essay I will give a biographical account of Okonwo, which will serve to help understand that social, political, and economic institutions of the Igbos.
Osei-Nyame, Kwadwo. "Chinua Achebe Writing Culture: Representations of Gender and Tyranny in Things Fall Apart" Research in African Literatures Summer 1999.
Nnolim, Charles E. "Achebe's Things Fall Apart: An Igbo National Epic" Modern Black Literature. ed. Okechukwu Mezu New York: Black Academy Press, 1971, 55-60.
The main focus in this novel is on one man, Okonkwo, the protagonist who symbolises the many Nigerians, or Africans who were struggling against the white missionaries, who brought their religion and policies and imposed them on Okonkwo’s and the other surrounding tribes. Achebe also shows how great the effect is when something as seemingly un-invasive, such as a church, is set up in a Nigerian or African Culture. Among other issues, A...
It is important to note that Achebe was a product of both traditional Igbo society and the colonizing British culture. Therefore, the narrative is influenced by two strikingly opposed philosophies. The tragic hero, Okonkwo, may have been crafted to express, not only the Igbo philosophy of harmony, but the outsider interpretation of a seemingly paradoxical belief system. Achebe's representation of Okonkwo may symbolize the collision of these two conflicting philosophies.
Before the arrival of the Europeans, Achebe did a excellent job portraying how the life of Igbo was before they were forced to oppose their own culture. To support this theme, Achebe included detailed descriptions of social rituals within each family, the justice system, religious practices and consequences, preparation and indulgence of food, the marriage process and the distributing of power within the men. Achebe shows how every man has an opportunity to prove himself worthy to achieve a title on the highest level, based merely on his own efforts. One may argue that the novel was written with the main focus on the study of Okonkwo’s character and how he deteriorates, but without the theme that define the Igbo culture itself, we would never know the universe qualities of the society that shaped Okonkwo’s life. The lives of the Igbo people was no different to the actual lives of the Ibos people back in the early days of Africa. Just like in Things Fall Apart, in actual African tribes there was never a ruler. “Very interesting thing about these villages is that there is no single ruler or king that controls the population. Decisions are made by including almost everyone in the village” (AfricaGuide). Using the theme, Achebe educated readers on by mirroring real African life in her
middle of paper ... ... The "An African Voice. " Interview with Chinua Achebe. N.p., 2 Aug. 2000.
Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born on November 16, 1930 to Isaiah Okafo and Janet Achebe in the very unstable country of Ogidi, Nigeria. He was exposed to missionaries early in his childhood because Ogidi was one of the first missionary centers established in Eastern Nigeria and his father was an evangelist. Yet it was not until he began to study at the University of Ibadan that Achebe discovered what he himself wanted to do. He had grown appalled at the "superficial picture" of Nigeria that many non-Nigerian authors were providing. That is when Achebe resolved to write something that viewed his country from "the inside".
In 1958 Chinua Achebe published his first and most widely acclaimed novel, Things Fall Apart. This work-commonly acknowledged as the single most well known African novel in the world-depicts an image of Africa that humanizes both the continent and the people. Achebe once said, "Reading Heart of Darkness . . . I realized that I was one of those savages jumping up and down on the beach. Once that kind of enlightenment comes to you, you realize that someone has to write a different story" (Gikandi 8-9); Achebe openly admits that he wrote Things Fall Apart because of the horrible characterization of Africans in many European works, especially Heart of Darkness. In many ways, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart can be seen as an Afrocentric rebuttal to the Eurocentric depi...
Well-acclaimed author, Chinua Achebe from Wes Africa, is recognized worldwide for his exquisite and intelligent usage of literary devices to bring to the limelight pertinent issues facing the African continent, more specifically Nigeria. He introduces the world to his main character Obi Okonkwo whom; through his eyes, a glimpse is given into the world of a Nigerian .In Things Fall Apart, his first of three novels, Okonkwo, upon his arrival from England is completely detached from his African heritage. From the novel, it is noticed that Obi Okonkwo slowly becomes a part of a dominant class whose corruption he finds repugnant. In an effort to choose between the acceptance of traditional values and the pleasures of a fast changing world, Obi finds himself in a tight fix .He is faced with growing pressures from the expectations of his family, his community, and the larger society around him. With unprecedented lucidity and a growing passion, Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease remains till date a brilliant account of the challenges facing Nigeria today. This paper seeks to examine the representation of the colonial experiences of Obi Okonkwo in the fiction of Chinua Achebe.
According to David Whittaker, Achebe’s work “proved to be an immensely influential work for African writers, becoming the progenitor of a whole movement of fiction, drama, and poetry, which focused on the revaluation of Africa’s history and cultures, and on representations of the culture conflicts that has their genesis in the colonial era.” This novel became a pivotal point of realization not only for Africa, but also for the world. All at once the world, afraid of what change may bring, pushed the same question to the back their mind: “What if we have it all wrong?” Suddenly, the culture of Africa was influencing the culture of America, Asia, Europe, Australia, etc. Achebe’s novel was a catalyst in the process of nationalist renewal and decolonization of African culture as a whole (Whittaker). A principle in this novel’s thematic course is the inter-generation conflict faced by not only the village as a whole, but also, on a microscopic level, in Okonkwo’s household. As the culture in Umuofia begins to shift, the predecessors of the current generation heavily rely on the cultural norms initiated by their father’s fathers. While tradition should be honored in a society, it should also be modified; this concept is not fully grasped by the older generations of
Achebe negates the idea of Eurocentricism. He shows that Europe isn’t the center of the world. He also shows that Africa isn’t the red headed stepchild of the world either. While Africa may have some faults, it is far from being uncivilized and the home of savages. The Africans had their own government and religion. Achebe brings up the point that if Europe hadn’t tried to divide up Africa, they would have been better off. He shows this point when Okonkwo killed himself. He is symbolically saying that if the Europeans hadn’t come into Umuofia, Okonkwo wouldn’t have killed himself and wouldn’t have lost hope in his tribe.
While their beliefs are strong, post colonialism has placed an inferiority complex upon the culture of the people. As opposed to highlighting their relatively new freedoms, Achebe speaks as if Africans let their beliefs serve as a shadow cast upon them in the high technology modern world that they are looking to find. Achebe wants to build a confidence in his people that makes them as proud of their culture as any other. He mentions "anti- racist racism" as a way to uplift the African people. With African writers implanting the positive power of ethnocentrism and acceptance, the people will gain the confidence to infuse their old ways with that of the new world.