Personal history of an author: significance on meaning

            The embedded personal history of an author within literary works is able to influence greater understanding of social context, as well as promote the reliability of the piece. As well, the purpose of the text is often linked to the author’s biography. Such as in Achebe’s case, he aimed to demonstrate that Europe did not bring “civilization” to “savages”. The author’s sense of biography is often reflected in the setting and characters of a novel; such as by representing ideas of religion, cultural surroundings, moral values, etc. Further, the reader is given a realistic sense of dialect, culture and political systems relevant to context. To understand context, it is crucial that the author’s personal history is examined in order to acknowledge the specific aspects which are being related to and expressed throughout the plot. As such, Achebe’s standing within two greater histories is able to create a rich piece of fiction, and is able to provide non-fictional perspectives of these historically significant events. Achebe himself expressed Christian and Igbo values, which combines the opposing forces expressed in the novel, allowing him to include two viewpoints to the text.

            Achebe’s inclusion of both the natural religion of the Igbo society and the modern faith of Christianity are almost equally represented through positive and negative connotations. However, he maintains reader sympathy towards the Igbo, as they are under presented as a whole within this history. This may be a result of Achebe’s personal bias towards both perspectives (as he was apart of Igbo heritage, but was as well a proud Christian), therefore not wanting to showcase one as highly significant over the other. Although as expressed by Achebe, he had found the old religion of greater interest, thus his elaborate exploration into the inner-workings of this faith within the novel. As Achebe grew up enforced with Christian belief, he was told of how the belief came to be within his land (allowing him to present the minority side to a significant historical event). This further upbringing endorsed in religion inspired characters within the novel; such as Mr. Brown representing the qualities of his missionary mentor G. T. Basden. Specific events within the plot were as well inspired by his personal religion, as the execution of Ikemefuna reflected the biblical story of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac. Further parallels between the plot and the New Testament are included, which then are forced to balance out with the existing Igbo beliefs. Through the novel the reader is consequently exposed to the dis-equilibrium between the contrasting religions, which may be a representative of the author’s inner conflict between his Igbo heritage and western faith. 

            By acknowledging the connection between Achebe’s biography and context of the novel, it may help further prove the purpose of the text. Such as, as stated earlier, his overall purpose was to demonstrate how the European’s did not bring “civilization” to “savages”, as western media has so often claimed. Rather, he demonstrates the tranquil reality of the complex society, which was rather disturbed than ‘fixed’ upon arrival of the missionaries. His personal relation between the combined histories allows for further understanding on behalf of the audience on character behavior and societal traditions. Without the acknowledgment of the author’s personal stance, these significant historical ideas would just come off as ordinary fictional remarks. The meaning of literature is enhanced through understanding an author’s points and purpose. Such as, the significance of Achebe’s personal legend within Things Fall Apart adds to the importance of the his relation to context. 

                                                                                                                               

Practice IOC

Okonkwo Character Analysis

What is the significance of Okonkwo’s character? What does he represent or is symbolic of? 

     Okonkwo’s character stands as a symbolic figure of Nigeria’s past. Not only does he represent cultural and traditional norms of the Igbo population, but as well, he is able to represent the impact the colonizers had on most of the civilians. Through Okonkwo’s character, the reader is exposed to the ‘Igbo World’, and can discover the inner workings of such a complex society. Such as, Okonkwo’s figure represents the importance of maintaining balance between the real and spiritual world, the value of status (ozo), the occurrence of death, the importance of equality and transparency, and the power of natural happenings. Okonkwo is a great representation of such phenomena’s, as he too is a flawed being through which the reader is able to see the consequences that follow when a societal member dismisses such important values/ideas. Okonkwo’s representation of some of the Igbo values are better represented than others. Such as, he is determined to attain status, whilst he neglects the Igbo value of equality. Through the consequences that he bares and his interactions with other villagers, the reader gets an insight on how the Igbo people (especially Umofoia) collectively approached such principle ideas, and how they were adopted into everyday life. Further on, Okonkwo’s lack of acceptance to the colonizers stood as a symbol of the feelings of Nigeria’s people as a whole. Despite the outcasts who were not involved in village activities, most of the clans/villages pre-existing in Nigeria before the British lived at tranquility by following the balance of the world of real and spiritual. Their everyday life was guided by the previously listed morals, which were then disturbed. With this, Okonkwo’s reaction to the foreigner power embodied the nations responses as whole. 

What is the purpose of Okonkwo’s character within the text? 

     Throughout the novel, Okonkwo lives on the principles of masculinity and tradition. His actions throughout the plot can be summarized by either his natural need to follow tradition, or to prove his masculinity. With this, he disregards emotions, ideas revolving femininity, and is unable to adapt to changes which would alter his strict persona. Without the respect the villagers have evolved for him, he would would be viewed as a severely flawed character or even an outcast, as his character traits are not a fit for the morals guiding the Igbo’s. The purpose of his character is to underline his flawed persona’s inability to succeed, and his failure to fully adapt to the Igbo guidelines and the change which followed colonizer power. Within part one of the novel, Okonkwo dismisses server societal morals, which consequently, each time, decrease the communal respect the people had gained for him over time. The buildup of ignorance towards important communal norms leads Okonkwo to be exiled (although the occurrence triggering his his sentence of exile being a mistake), as he then returns to a village who have essentially forgotten his name. Okonkwo’s character shares the importance of ‘fluid persona’, as the consequences through which he faces show how the world is unaccepting of such a rigid character. 

How does Okonkwo’s character contribute to big ideas?

     Okonkwo’s character’s relation to big ideas relates back to the essay by Victor C. Uchendu “The Igbo World”. As stated earlier, Okonkwo’s character embodies the values of the Igbo people, as well as the nation’s response to foreign power. His character showcases the morals which Igbo population were guided by, and how such a way of life was represented as successful. His character is placed in the middle of two larger histories. That is; the existing reality of the Igbo population before the European’s, and the European’s quest to colonize Africa. His significance in living in two large histories shows the change in reality between the two contexts, and the results which occurred after. His character contributes the the image created of Umofoia by showing how each individual attained a part in maintaining a harmonious society. His character later then represents the westerner’s colonizing quest through his personal reactions. Despite being such a character, his responses and reaction to significant events in the plot symbolize the nature of many others’ in the nation. His inability to accept change (the foreigners) can relate to the nations drive for independence many years later. 

Things Fall Apart: 3 significant events

            One of the three most important occurrences in the plot of Things Fall Apart is the death of Ikemefuna. This event serves as a significant part of the novel as it not only demonstrates Okonkwo’s dangerous drive to prove his masculinity, but as well foreshadows sudden changes which happen in Umofoia. This event not only affected the primary characters involved in the incident, but as well other village members who had grown a connection with Ikemefuna. Okonkwo’s strange depression after his own voluntary execution of Ikemefuna could represent how he saw parts of his childhood (his connection to his father) in the relationship between him and the boy. As well, it exposes his ability to show affection and attachment to people, and show ‘female’ emotions, which he tries to so hard to avoid.  

            Another significant part of the plot is Okonkwo being forced to exile as a consequence of accidentally killing Ezuedu’s son. This marks as the downfall of Okonkwo’s hard-worked for reputation and respect. For the majority of part one of the novel, Okonkwo proves and tries to build upon his status, and tells stories to re-establish it. As well, it marks as the last time that Okonkwo and his family see Umofoia before the establishment of Christianity. Essentially, it is the last time that Okonkwo would have been remembered in the village, as upon his return after his exile he consequently hangs himself due to the vast change. 

            The third significant part of the plot is Nwoye’s conversion to Christianity. This serves as the breaking off point between the two, and ends all communication ties amongst them. Before the occurrence, Okonkwo’s constant labelling of him as an outcast foreshadowed Nwoye’s joining of the church. As well, it demonstrates how different social classes accepted the idea of a new faith and colonizer power. 

Things Fall Apart: significance of prior/during approach

    The appeal of specifically choosing a prior/during approach to the colonial administration for the novel emphasizes the national change which resultantly occurred. The reader is able to follow how the citizens of the Igbo villages adapted to the sudden changes which followed. This helps show the local cultural damage which the colonizers caused, which the Nigerians then had to repair and fight back for until the independence of the country was restored. The negative connotation towards the colonizers accentuates his stance in the movement for an independent Nigeria. As well, the text showcases the clear cultural clash between Western appeals and African norms, which relates to the contemporary division of political power. The time prior to the colonizers is painted as rather quiet and sufficient, which is reversed with the emergence of the British. As well, this shows the settlement of a new faith into the land; Christianity, and how these ideas were either adopted or dismissed by the people. The inclusion of the start of Christianity within the novel shares the author’s personal connection the religion, which conflicts with his proud Igbo heritage. The text exposes the dilemma between two complex religions, which he strives to represent accurately through the chosen language of the novel; English.

    Although painting a very biased image against the British, through the text Achebe is able to share the complexity of his culture and identity (the contrary between Christianity and Igbo heritage) through a globally accepted language. This allows for a greater audience to indulge in contrary views to the commonly accepted ones, and proves his motivation to represent the complicated creation of his being through English literature. This said, the representation of Africa (and especially the history of Nigeria) through the novel allows for an alternative response to commonly accepted Western literary ideas. By speaking on behalf of the Igbo population, the author is able to share the minority side of such an important historical happening. By exploring his hybrid identity through the story, he is able to create a piece which others can relate to. Although not having personally lived through the context of the story, the author shares how his hybrid identity came to be the through the walking of past generations. The novel serves as a significant piece of literature due to the author’s personal connection, which wouldn’t be as well administrated if the text would to be set during the context of the production as the readers would be less aware of the multitude and richness of the Igbo heritage. The pure Igbo cultural norms presented before the invasion of the colonizers symbolizes what Achebe was fighting for; the independence of Nigeria.