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Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Literature / Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers (12663 Views)
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Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by dammy13(m): 8:24am On Nov 16, 2017 |
The late Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has been honoured in a Google Doodle, underscoring his status as a towering figure of 20th century literature. By creating a doodle marking what would have been Achebe’s 87th birthday, the tech giant is celebrating a writer many consider to be father of modern African literature. Writing amid a post-colonial movement that saw African nations cast off decades of foreign rule and seek political sovereignty, Mr Achebe lent a voice to a generation of Africans who refused to be defined solely through the lenses of European thought. Part of that work involved telling distinctly African stories from the perspective of African characters, helping to forge a literature that — like newly created countries — was independent from Europe. Mr Achebe did so across dozens of novels and books of poetry and essays, leading many to refer to him as “the father of modern African literature”. He died in March of 2013 at the age of 82, having collected accolades that included the Man Booker International Prize. His oeuvre stood in deliberate opposition to works of European literature that cast Africa as a setting and its people as bit players in the central affairs of Western characters. He denounced novelist Joseph Conrad as a “bloody racist” and called Mr Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness”, in which a European explorer plunges into a threatening and unfathomable Africa, as “a totally deplorable book”. In contrast to European works that allowed Africans only minor or one-dimensional roles, Mr Achebe wrote novels that showed Nigerians as complex characters endowed with agency. His best-known work, “Things Fall Apart,” remains a staple of school curricula. It tells the story of Okonkwo, the proud leader of his village. The novel depicts the complex customs of the Igbo people, one of multiple ethnic groups in Nigeria with a distinct culture and language. The book portrays how Okonkwo’s world is upended by the appearance of Christian missionaries, and its closing paragraph — written from the perspective of a recently arrived colonial leader — functions as a haunting allusion to how European observers reduce and dismiss complex African cultures: “He had already chosen the title of the book, after much thought: The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger.” http://fabinfos.com/chinua-achebe-nigerian-author-one-worlds-important-modern-writers/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpL6J64cDvA 9 Likes
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Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Nobody: 8:42am On Nov 16, 2017 |
My younger sister once asked me a question after reading a few of Achebe's work. She said, "Why does Achebe like killing his main characters in his novels?". As funny and truthful as the question was, I couldn't answer but wished he was alive to give her an answer. Anyway, Achebe remains one of the best. "There Was A Country and Things Fall Apart" are my favourite of his works. Hope to read more when time permits. 17 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by maklelemakukula(m): 11:05am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Please we don't want any nonsense comparisons here. Thanks in anticipation 2 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Rmxr: 11:05am On Nov 16, 2017 |
moscobabs:Maybe because JF Odunjo and Fagunwa wrote their books purely in Yoruba. But yes, I agree with you those 2 were very brilliant writers. Amos Tutuola was another brilliant writer 9 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by moscobabs(m): 11:05am On Nov 16, 2017 |
I am sure many people will agree with me that D.O Fagunwa and JF Odunjo are greatest writers than both Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka. Try to read all Alawiye, Ogboju ode ninu igbo irunmole and Igbo elegbeje and testify. 7 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by CROWNWEALTH019(m): 11:05am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by niceprof: 11:06am On Nov 16, 2017 |
He still remains the best.Writing in Africa died when Heinmann Publishers discontinued the publication of African Writers Series of which Achebe was the Editor . 15 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by anonimi: 11:06am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Does he have a Foundation for enhancing Igbo culture and studies through monuments devoted to the legacy of the massacre of his people during the civil war? Abi he did not learn anything from his sojourn in oyinbo land where he was professor paid from funds endowed by a Foundation? 1 Like |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Iamtipsyy(m): 11:06am On Nov 16, 2017 |
May his soul rest in peace,nobody wants to write again sef |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by 360Blogng: 11:06am On Nov 16, 2017 |
true |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by lekjons(m): 11:07am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Great! I saw it too.. 8 Likes 1 Share
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Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by wisenewgem(m): 11:08am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Legacies keep one alive even after death. 4 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Angelb4: 11:08am On Nov 16, 2017 |
If Chinua Achebe is a modern writer, I wonder what I am. |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by BeijinDossier: 11:09am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Anambra born Chinua Achebe is the father of modern African literature and Africa's most influential celebrity. #RESPECT SIR 12 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Flexherbal(m): 11:10am On Nov 16, 2017 |
I remember him for "things fall apart." 3 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by jazinogold(m): 11:10am On Nov 16, 2017 |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by lordkush: 11:10am On Nov 16, 2017 |
lol :Dlol |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by soberdrunk(m): 11:10am On Nov 16, 2017 |
I mean no disrespect but i honestly think there is a big difference between 'pioneering' and rating someone as the 'best', i reckon he is a major pioneer of African writing but there are works from some other African writers that are better than his in terms of content and imagination. My number one African writer remains Nyengi Koin, her book 'Time changes yesterday' still remains my number1 book followed by "The bottled leopard" by Chukwuemeka Ike.......... 2 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Tweetysparkles(f): 11:12am On Nov 16, 2017 |
I remember way back in my secondary school, things fall apart was a bomb then i fit don read the book like 1000x sef he was a great writer and needs to be celebrated 11 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Sapiosexuality(m): 11:12am On Nov 16, 2017 |
anonimi:I think Their Was A Country was that monument. 3 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by juman(m): 11:13am On Nov 16, 2017 |
He tried. But my late grand mother might be better story teller than him. |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by MorataFC: 11:14am On Nov 16, 2017 |
...and Okorocha can not give this man one statue 10 Likes |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by Homeboiy: 11:14am On Nov 16, 2017 |
There was a country |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by paradigmshift(m): 11:14am On Nov 16, 2017 |
the man is good no doubt but this man and soyinka, who dope pass ? |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by donshaddow(m): 11:16am On Nov 16, 2017 |
He's great |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by llyodzico(m): 11:16am On Nov 16, 2017 |
BABA OO LEGENDARY |
Re: Why Chinua Achebe Is One Of The World's Most Important Modern Writers by DONADAMS(m): 11:16am On Nov 16, 2017 |
I don't know much about literary work...I'll leave it to the person below me |
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