Early Eurocentric Criticism of Achebe and Postcolonial Realities in Africa

Uche-Chinemere Nwaozuzu,Cindy Anene Ezeugwu

doi:10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.8n.3p.19

Uche-Chinemere Nwaozuzu, Cindy Anene Ezeugwu

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.8n.3p.19

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Abstract

Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart has attracted a glut of global opinions on the nature and character of the work. This is to be expected as any good work of literature will elicit much scholarly criticism. Thus, this paper looks at the early Eurocentric criticism of Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart. The study leans on bio-bibliographical approach to literary criticism. It tries to situate their conclusions within the realities of the postcolonial environment of most African societies and reaches the conclusion that features of culture clash and social dislocation which these critics misinterpreted, glossed over and out rightly dismissed have become the albatross of virtually all post-colonial African states.

Highlights

The creative consciousness of African artists urges them to assert the humanity of the African
The realities of postcolonial situation in Africa are encapsulated in the contemporary phenomena of globalization and liberalism
These postcolonial features are the purveyors of culture and information which most of the continent is fed and create the template from which Africa is viewed

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The creative consciousness of African artists urges them to assert the humanity of the African. After a careful study of these views that Achebe carefully refuses to make final critical judgments His statements, like the proverbs in the novel itself, are open to interpretations, depending on scholarly persuasion or ideological orientations. The growth of the impact of Things Fall Apart on the global literary scene and the diversity of opinions expressed on it has necessitated a reappraisal and redefinition of critical criteria as applied to it Since these early impressionistic views, the novel has undergone a more positive scrutiny along the lines traced by David Cook Larson would probably not have made the unfortunate comment, if he were well-informed on Achebe’s socio-cultural circumstances and thematic intention

PESPECTIVES ON COLONIAL REALITIES IN ACEBE

CONCLUSION