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No Longer At Ease by Chinua Achebe

analytical Essay
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Well-acclaimed author, Chinua Achebe from Wes Africa, is recognized worldwide for his exquisite and intelligent usage of literary devices to bring to the limelight pertinent issues facing the African continent, more specifically Nigeria. He introduces the world to his main character Obi Okonkwo whom; through his eyes, a glimpse is given into the world of a Nigerian .In Things Fall Apart, his first of three novels, Okonkwo, upon his arrival from England is completely detached from his African heritage. From the novel, it is noticed that Obi Okonkwo slowly becomes a part of a dominant class whose corruption he finds repugnant. In an effort to choose between the acceptance of traditional values and the pleasures of a fast changing world, Obi finds himself in a tight fix .He is faced with growing pressures from the expectations of his family, his community, and the larger society around him. With unprecedented lucidity and a growing passion, Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease remains till date a brilliant account of the challenges facing Nigeria today. This paper seeks to examine the representation of the colonial experiences of Obi Okonkwo in the fiction of Chinua Achebe.
With an impressive command over the English language, Achebe employs a pleasant style to his narrative through his use of imagery throughout the novel. Education for years now has been the prime key to success for many around the world and this was no different for Umuofia native, Obi Okonkwo. The pleasures associated with gaining an international education proved to be enticing for many Africans. Elders of Umuofia moved heaven and earth to be able to put Okonkwo through school. It seemed, however, that, his education in England was meant to secure him a good pos...

... middle of paper ...

...rom friends and family Okonkwo was ready to go ahead with the nuptials. He even went ahead to buy her an engagement ring and a Bible with a zipper.
To conclude, the colonial experiences of Obi Okonkwo through his education had an impact on his view of religion, globalization and the traditions of his people. As to whether these experiences influenced him positively or negatively are left to the readers to figure out.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Chinua Achebe, No Longer at Ease, (Canada: Anchor Canada, 2010, ©1960).

Works Cited

Achebe, No Longer at Ease, p. 83
Chinua Achebe, No Longer at Ease, (Canada: Anchor Canada, 2010, © 1960), blurb.
No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe
Review by: Ben Mkapa
Transition , No. 3 (Jan., 1962) , p. 36
Published by: Indiana University Press on behalf of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2934565

In this essay, the author

  • Analyzes chinua achebe's use of literary devices to bring to the limelight pertinent issues facing the african continent, more specifically nigeria.
  • Analyzes how achebe employs a pleasant style to his narrative through his use of imagery throughout the novel.
  • Analyzes how okonkwo's life and education abroad shaped his life in so many diverse ways. he considered people without foreign education as archaic and lacking the necessary skills to critically analyze situations.
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