International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research


International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research
Vol. 9, Issue 1 (2023)

Colonial protest, cultural assertion and generational divide in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart


Amarjit Yadav, Dr. Akhileshwar Kumar Singh

Chinua Achebe is a Nigerian novelist who is regarded as one of the best African writers. His Things Fall Apart is regarded as the magnum opus in African literature. The father of African literature Chinua Achebe very assertively protests against the colonisers through his novel Things Fall Apart. In contrast to the Africans portrayed in non-African narrative, the genuine Africans he knew and lived with are depicted in this book. The book is jam-packed with several incidents that highlight both the positive and negative aspects of Igbo culture. Conflicts between cultures that arise when colonisers enter an Igbo village are discussed in the novel Things Fall Apart. The late 1800s saw the beginning of British colonialism in Nigeria, which was followed by challenges for the native culture. The main themes of this book are the life of Okonkwo, a local "superstar," and the entrance of white missionaries in Umuofia, a fictional hamlet. Chinua Achebe aims to dispel the misconceptions that European works like Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness have fostered. In opposition to European narratives that portrayed Africans as uncivilised and barbaric people who required the enlightenment of the Europeans, Achebe published this book. Additionally, the novel makes an effort to criticise European universalism. Because he emphasises both accomplishments and flaws, Achebe portrays his people's history in a manner that is quite balanced. We find two important generational gaps in Things Fall Apart between Achebe's father and his eldest son. In this article, I'll try to analyse how Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart has elements of colonial protest, cultural assertion and generational divide. Power and discourse will be the main topic of the essay.
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How to cite this article:
Amarjit Yadav, Dr. Akhileshwar Kumar Singh. Colonial protest, cultural assertion and generational divide in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Volume 9, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 27-30
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research