...will glorify only the hunter.” Chinua Achebe, Home and Exile Literature is the expression of life in words of truth and beauty.It encompasses all genres of literature-poetry,prose,fiction,drama,philosophy,history etc.Among them,fiction is any narrative,whether in prose or verse,which is invented instead of being an account of events that actually happened. The voice of Africa in the world of letters tries to emancipate Africa from its literary stereotype.Africa is no longer a gloomy phenomenon,a dark continent.Chinua Achebe, the major exponent of the modern African novel,is greatly concerned with the two realities of social man –his individual and group identity,the legacy of colonialism, and the shift in the system of values of life leading to rampant corruption- moral and monetary. He is also concerned with the use of English as the medium of expression of African experience defining the relevance of colonial and post-colonial experience to the present .Achebe’s novels are dialectic tranformation of experience, a new way of looking at tradition to create a different order of reality through universalizing imagination.Though he has followed the established tradition of novel writing in English, Achebe has put few things ‘African’ and has successfully employed certain narrative techniques of narration to give authenticity and African flavour to his novels in order to attract the native audience and overseas readers as well. Chinua Achebe , the doyen of African writing...
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...intellectual discourse which shows analysis of the cultural legacies of colonialism and imperialism. In simplest and most familiar way, the hyphenated term post colonial means post or after the colonial period and it indicates something that happened after the end of formal colonization. Post-colonial has become useful because it raises large and important questions. Therefore, the widest definition of post colonial fiction easily includes Chinua Achebe’s novels. Postcolonial study delineates all aspects of the colonial process from the beginning to the end of colonial contact. Chinua Achebe’s novels contain the experiences of Nigerian people after the end of British Empire. Achebe’s novels are the replication of African history as well. Therefore, his novels describe an archetypal post colonial era African country. Chinua Achebe is one of the finest Nigerian novelists of the twentieth century, whose novels show various post colonial aspects in them. Achebe throws light on the changes in African society and politics, His four novels cover the entire colonial history of Africa from the early days of European advent to the post colonial aspects like retrieval of an identity and own past, language liberty, cultural change, disestablishment of Eurocentric norms and complexes of this period of perplexity. Achebe wrote novels chronologically one is attached to another as, pre-colonial, colonial, post colonial and commonwealth. Chinua Achebe has depicted traditional Igbo society...
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...com/loi/rjpw20 “He does not understand our customs”: Narrating orality and empire in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart Jarica Linn Watts To cite this article: Jarica Linn Watts (2010) “He does not understand our customs”: Narrating orality and empire in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart , Journal of Postcolonial Writing, 46:1, 65-75, DOI: 10.1080/17449850903478189 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17449850903478189 Published online: 27 Jan 2010. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 501 View related articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rjpw20 Download by: [Indiana University Libraries] Date: 24 February 2016, At: 16:43 Journal of Postcolonial Writing Vol. 46, No. 1, February 2010, 65–75 “He does not understand our customs”: Narrating orality and empire in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart Jarica Linn Watts* University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 16:43 24 February 2016 jarica.watts@utah.edu Jarica 0 100000February 46 2010 &Article OriginalofFrancis 1744-9855 (print)/1744-9863 JournalandPostcolonial 10.1080/17449850903478189(online) RJPW_A_448194.sgm TaylorLinnWatts 2010 Writing Francis This article delineates different strains of Achebe’s narrative technique in Things Fall Apart, arguing that earlier critics have failed to account fully for two fundamental ...
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...(Postcolonial Literature II) Ateneo De Manila University 10 February 2014 Of Interpreters, Schools, and Courts: An Analysis of the Postcolonial Themes of Language, Education, and Power in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart Through his awareness of the European literary tradition of negatively stereotyping the African natives as uncivilized peoples and putting the West in the pedestal in terms of cultural superiority and advancement (Guthrie 51-52), it can be asserted that the renowned African novelist and intellectual Chinua Achebe may had realized, at one point in his life, that in order to have a more realistic portrayal of the dynamics of Western and non-Western contact, there is a need to break such convention which undeniably favours the West. Perhaps, this is the reason why Achebe had written Things Fall Apart in such a way that it provides readers the African point of view of culture, identity and colonization thereby eradicating the dominant and unwarranted perception that the peoples of Africa are mere savages that have no customs, beliefs and traditions. Indeed, by providing a somewhat balanced approach in portraying the dynamic societal changes experienced by the Ibo people due to the conflict between their traditional culture and the foreign culture brought by their English colonizers primarily through religious and educational instruction, Things Fall Apart indubitably qualifies as a relevant and interesting novel that can be analysed through the lens of postcolonial...
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...Things Fall apart literary analysis For many decades, yams have been held to a sacred level in the Igbo culture. Those who are able to produce large quantities of yams are considered prosperous. Many aspects are represented in production of yams, such as success, leadership, and strength. In “Things Fall Apart”, Chinua Achebe exemplifies the importance of yams in order to signify the necessary custom of strength in the Igbo society. In the community like Umuofia, yams are characteristics of the higher powers and the positive traits. The cultivation of yams is known for bringing much success and the prosperity. Those who produce yams are perceived as strong individuals due to the “yams [being] a very exacting king” that demands constant care...
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...Strangers in a Strange Land: Understanding the Cultural Divide Through Fictional Analysis Throughout human history, peoples have invaded one another, both through taking land and permeating each other’s traditions with their cultures. With the development of colonialism and world wars in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, this became more and more common- but was met with backlash from native people and those whose lives were drastically changed. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe illustrates the tensions between European colonizers and Nigerian indigenous people by following the story of Okonkwo, a strong man in the Umuofian tribe . Julie Otsuka allows the reader to follow the story of a Japanese boy being displaced in an internment camp during the second World War in her piece “When the Emperor Was Divine”. Okonkwo’s violent reaction to European culture and the boy’s silent yearning for his...
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...ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE Humanities Division ENG 232—African and Caribbean Literature Course Outline Course Number & Name: ENG 232 African and Caribbean Literature Credit Hours: 3 .0 Contact Hours: 3.0 Lecture: 3.0 Lab: N/A Other: N/A Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in ENG 102 Co-requisites: None Concurrent Courses: None ------------------------------------------------- Course Outline Revision Date: Fall 2010 ------------------------------------------------- Catalogue Description: This course examines the literary traditions of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean through an intensive study of selected works. Negritude is explored in its own right but also in its relationship with the literature of Europe and the Harlem Renaissance. Particular emphasis is placed on the socio-cultural and political forces that shaped this literature as well as the mode of presentation. General Education Goals: ENG 232 is affirmed in the following General Education Foundation Categories: Humanistic Perspective and Global and Cultural Awareness of Diversity. The corresponding General Education Goals are respectively as follows: Students will analyze works in the field of art, music, or theater; literature; and philosophy and/or religious studies; and will gain competence in the use of a foreign language; and Students will understand the importance of global perspective and culturally diverse peoples. Course Goals: Upon successful completion of...
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...English IVB (AKA English 12) | Activity | Points | % of Total | Discuss | 90 | 7% | Exam | 20 | 2% | Explore | 10 | 1% | Final Exam | 100 | 8% | Journal | 80 | 6% | Practice | 250 | 20% | Quiz | 390 | 31% | Test (CST) | 100 | 8% | Test (TST) | 200 | 16% | | Total Points for the Course : 1240 | Unit 1: The Romantics | Lesson 1.1: Introduction to the Romantics | Activity 1.1.1: Study - Historical and Literary Context | (Documents: Study Sheet) | Get an overview of the historical and literary context for the reading. | | Duration: 40 min | | | Activity 1.1.2: Quiz - Comprehending the Study | Take a quiz to assess your understanding of the material. | | Duration: 20 min | Scoring: 10 | Points Earned: _____ | Lesson 1.2: Romantic Poetry | Activity 1.2.1: Study - Romantic Poetry: Spontaneous Overflow | (Documents: Study Sheet) | Learn about the characteristics and leading writers of Romantic poetry. | | Duration: 40 min | | | Activity 1.2.2: Quiz - Comprehending the Study | Take a quiz to assess your understanding of the material. | | Duration: 20 min | Scoring: 10 | Points Earned: _____ | Activity 1.2.3: Read - Poems from the Romantic Canon | (Documents: Reading Guide) | Read selections from a variety of Romantic poets. | | Duration: 1 hr | | | Activity 1.2.4: Quiz - Comprehending the Readings | Take a quiz to assess your understanding of the material. | ...
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...Tyler Franklin Sylvia Bennett English 12 AP pd.3 December 23, 2015 Analysis of Kurtz and Okonkwo as Tragic Heros Aristotle’s Poetics defines a "tragic hero" as a good man of high status who displays a tragic flaw (―hamartia‖) and experiences a dramatic reversal ―peripeteia‖, as well as an intense moment of recognition ―anagnorisis‖ and Okonkwo and Kurtz, both of them are regarded as as a tragic hero. In"hubris"colonial setting but each with a different, unique style. In fact,-the same postm to the these two characters not only define the said term, they take the the path of doom and centered, desirous actions-elf next level through their actions, and each one takes is different. Okonkwo is “a man of action, a man of war” and a member of high status in the Igbo village. He holds the prominent position of village clansman due to the fact that he had “shown incredible prowess in two intertribal wars”. Okonkwo’s hard work had made him a “wealthy farmer” and a recognized individual amongst the nine villages of Umuofia and beyond. Okonkwo’s tragic flaw isn’t that he was afraid of work, but rather his fear of weakness and failure which stems from his father’s, Unoka, unproductive life and disgraceful death. “Perhaps down in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness….It was not external but lay deep within himself. It was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father.” Okonkwo’s father...
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...Things Fall Apart Literary Analysis The world is changing as do the people who live in it all the time, sometimes people just don’t fit with the changing world. In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, tells the story of a great man named Okonkwo. When European missionaries arrive, Okonkwo’s culture that he once knew is changing dramatically. The book addresses the clash of cultures and destruction of Okonkwo’s world with their arrival. Achebe shows us that Okonkwo’s inability to adapt and his own characterization causes him to end his life. Okonkwo’s suicide was caused by a mix of the European missionaries and Okonkwo’s own characterization. Okonkwo never learns from his mistakes, he always thinks what he does is always right no matter what. All he knows came from his childhood and younger years. Unoka is disrespected among the society. The culture values physical strength, achievement, and masculinity. Unoka represents the opposite of these values, he enjoys expressing himself through words and music, he’s a very talented musician. Okonkwo learns that these qualities are not what the tribe values. Okonkwo grows up being the opposite of his father, he becomes the best wrestler, he’s physically strong, and represents hyper masculinity. Okonkwo also becomes a very successful farmer, but after a bad harvest due to bad, inconsistent weather Unoka tells his son “‘do not despair. I know you will not despair. You have a manly and a proud heart. A proud heart can survive general...
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...HISTORY 4C: WESTERN CIVILIZATION: 1715-PRESENT Description of the Course: This course surveys the history of Europe from the beginning of the 18th century until the end of the 20th century. We will study major political, economic, social and intellectual developments that affected European societies during that time period and changed lives of people throughout the world. Major themes of the course will include the French and Industrial Revolutions, emergence of ideologies such as liberalism, nationalism and socialism as well as their practical impact on politics and culture, the rise and fall of European global dominance, wars and revolution of the 20th century. Goals of the Course: I. Understanding Historical Heritage of our Civilization: The major purpose of this course is to familiarize you with heritage of the western civilization and help you understand significance of its impact on contemporary world. This class will aim to illustrate how the past impacts people’s lives in the present and how our actions, ideas, and self-image are shaped by historical developments. II. Acquiring Critical Thinking: History consists of more than just memorization of names, dates and narratives of historical events. Although knowledge of factual information is imperative, it is important to realize that history is interpretation of facts, trends and ideas. Therefore, neither professor nor Teaching Assistants will give you “right” or “wrong” answers. Instead, another major...
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...Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble hero or heroine, usually through some combination of hubris, fate, and the will of the gods. The tragic hero's powerful wish to achieve some goal inevitably encounters limits, usually those of human frailty. The hero need not die at the end, but he/she must undergo a change in fortune. In addition, the tragic hero may achieve some revelation or recognition. According to Gerald F.Else (1967) tragic hero means “The tragic hero is a great man who is neither a paragon of virtue and justice nor undergoes the change to misfortune through any real badness or wickedness but because of some mistake." Throughout the book, Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe presents many aspects of how the tragic hero, Okonkwo portrays the author's own characterization of a tragic hero. Okonkwo's tragic flaw is his fear of weakness, failure, the equation of manliness with rashness, anger, violence, and arrogance. In his thirties, Okonkwo is a leader of the Igbo community of Umuofia. Throughout his life, he wages a never ending battle for status and his life is dominated by the fear of weakness and failure. He is quick to anger, especially when dealing with men who are weak, lazy debtors like his father. His father incurred a bad reputation for himself and Okonkwo vowed to never be like his father. This caused Okonkwo to be very determined and he formed very strong feelings to reach success in his life and do the same for his children. The narrator states "At...
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...Reading the Novel in English 1950–2000 i RTNA01 1 13/6/05, 5:28 PM READING THE NOVEL General Editor: Daniel R. Schwarz The aim of this series is to provide practical introductions to reading the novel in both the British and Irish, and the American traditions. Published Reading the Modern British and Irish Novel 1890–1930 Reading the Novel in English 1950–2000 Daniel R. Schwarz Brian W. Shaffer Forthcoming Reading the Eighteenth-Century Novel Paula R. Backscheider Reading the Nineteenth-Century Novel Harry E. Shaw and Alison Case Reading the American Novel 1780–1865 Shirley Samuels Reading the American Novel 1865–1914 G. R. Thompson Reading the Twentieth-Century American Novel James Phelan ii RTNA01 2 13/6/05, 5:28 PM Reading the Novel in English 1950–2000 Brian W. Shaffer iii RTNA01 3 13/6/05, 5:28 PM © 2006 by Brian W. Shaffer BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of Brian W. Shaffer to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and...
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...higher priorities than are considerations of profit or commercial appeal. * Literature is literally "an acquaintance with letters" as in the first sense given in the Oxford English Dictionary (from the Latin littera meaning "an individual written character (letter)"). The term has generally come to identify a collection of texts. The word literature as a common noun can refer to any form of writing, such as essays or poetry; Literature as a proper noun refers to a whole body of literary work, world-wide or relating to a specific culture... * lit·er·a·ture n. 1. The body of written works of a language, period, or culture. 2. Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value:"Literature must be an analysis of experience and a synthesis of the findings into a unity" 3. The art or occupation of a literary writer. 4. The body of written work produced by scholars or researchers in a given field: medical literature. 5. Printed material: All the available collected literature on the subject. 6. Music: All the compositions of a certain kind or for a specific instrument or ensemble: the symphonic literature. Good literature has something important to say about life. If we take the time to read and understand the literature, it should help us to learn more about life. It may be that we do not agree with what the writer says. Nevertheless, the act of studying it will have made us think more carefully about the topic...
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...About Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe's college work sharpened his interest in indigenous Nigerian cultures. He had grown up in Ogidi, a large village in Nigeria. His father taught at the missionary school, and Achebe witnessed firsthand the complex mix of benefit and catastrophe that the Christian religion had brought to the Igbo people. In the 1950s, an exciting new literary movement grew in strength. Drawing on indigenous Nigerian oral traditions, this movement enriched European literary forms in hopes of creating a new literature, in English but unmistakably African. Published in 1958, Things Fall Apart is one of the masterpieces of 20th century African fiction. Things Fall Apart is set in the 1890s, during the coming of the white man to Nigeria. In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages. The attitudes present in colonial literature are so ingrained into our perception of Africa that the District Commissioner, who appears at the end of the novel, strikes a chord of familiarity with most readers. He is arrogant, dismissive of African "savages," and totally ignorant of the complexity and richness of Igbo life. Yet his attitude echoes so much of the depiction of Africa; this attitude, following Achebe's depiction of the Igbo, seems hollow and savage. Digression is one of Achebe's most important tools. Although the novel's central story is the tragedy of Okonkwo...
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