Political and Socio-Cultural Conflict in Chinua Achebes Anthills of the Savannah and a Man of the People

POLITICAL AND SOCIO-CULTURAL CONFLICT IN CHINUA ACHEBE’S ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH AND A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

ABSTRACT

This research work is concerned on political and socio-cultural conflicts in Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah and A man of the People. From the two selected novels under investigation, the study has revealed that the political and socio-cultural conflicts in our Nigerian societies is as the result of misleading and corrupt practices of some political leaders in our contemporary African societies.

The study also portrays that African societies are faced with different cultural problems, corrupt leaders and political oppression because of mal-administration, dictatorship and excessive socio-political conflicts in the society. The study therefore recommends good literature novels with good moral lessons to be exposed to the learners on the effects of corruption and socio-political conflicts in our Nigerian society and Africa at large. 

Political and Socio-Cultural Conflict in Chinua Achebes Anthills of the Savannah and a Man of the People       

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

Literature, which comprises prose, drama and poetry, is a veritable tool in the discourse against political and socio-cultural conflict in African societies. For instance, African writers like Wole Soyinka’s The Trial of Brother Jero, Ngugi’s Petals of Blood and Iyayi’s Violence to mention a few project in their works the prevalent social problems of corruption, inhumanity, exploitation, injustice and socio-cultural conflicts in African Societies.

On the other hand, Achebe in this research work portrays the experiences of Africans before independence as well as post-independent. The literary artist through these novels, A man of the People and Anthills of the Savannah offer a critical appraisal of existing of socio-political situation in order to move or direct the action of the society, its beliefs and values. Achebe at this point uses one of his characters in his novel titled A man of the People.

Achebe shows the switching of power between the old and the new politicians and how the old style politician, Chief Nanga is becoming more and more greedy as he learns the political system. Achebe at this point portrays how African societies are faced with different cultural problems and political oppression because of mal-administration, dictatorship and excessive socio-political and cultural conflicts in the society.

Consequently, it is on this ground that the researcher is motivated to research on the topic, political and socio-cultural conflicts in A Man of the People and Anthills of the Savannah which are literature novels that portray the political and socio-cultural conflicts in Nigeria.

Political and Socio-Cultural Conflict in Chinua Achebes Anthills of the Savannah and a Man of the People

1.2     Statement of the Problem

As Portrayed by the author in this novel, A Man of the People and Anthills of the Savannah, political and socio-cultural conflicts are crucial issues that have been hunting African societies. These political and socio-cultural conflicts equally exist in Nigeria as expressed in the novels. These socio-political and cultural conflicts are traceable to the colonial and post-colonial era as a result of the white rule.

1.3     Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research work is to discuss the political and socio-cultural conflicts in Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah and A Man of the People. The study will also examine the causes of political and socio-cultural conflicts as portrayed by the author in his novels of investigation of the study.

1.4     Significance of the Study

The study will be significant in the following ways; the works of Chinua Achebe will be beneficial to students of English and Literary studies by exposing the problems of political and socio-cultural conflicts, the causes and how to mediate these socio-political problems in African society.

Political and Socio-Cultural Conflict in Chinua Achebes Anthills of the Savannah and a Man of the People

1.5     Objectives of the study

                   The objectives of this study are;

(i)      To examine the causes of political and socio-cultural conflicts in the above novels under investigation.

(ii)      To investigate the aims and purpose of Achebe over the issues of political and socio-cultural problems in Nigeria.

(iii)     To examine and proffer solutions to these problems of political and socio-cultural conflicts in the novels of the project.

1.6     Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of this study is limited to the works of Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah and A Man of the People. The scope of this study is also aimed at tackling the problems as indicated in the topic from the novels under investigation.

1.7     Research Methodology

The researcher will use the novel of Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah and A Man of the People as it’s primary source. Then, materials from the library will serve as the secondary sources of information. Other sources such as internet may be employed for more information.

1.8     Bio-Data of the Author

Chinua Achebe were born in Ogidi in Nigeria in 1930 and christened Albert Chinualumogu Achebe. He was born a member of the Igbo tribe, one of the four main tribes of Nigeria. Achebe’s parent was Isaiah Okafor, His parent were converts to the protestant church mission society in Nigeria. At the age of 12 years, Achebe moved away from his family to the village of Nekede, four kilometers from owerri. He enrolled as a student at the central school, where his older brother called john taught. While in Nekede, he gained an appreciation for a traditional Art.

In 1944, Achebe sat for entrance examination and was accepted at both the prestigious Jennish Memorial Grammar School in Onisha and Government College in Umuaha and University College in Ibadan while at the university Achebe contributed several stories and essays to its magazines.

In 1953, he graduated with a B.A before joining the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation Service (N.B.C) in Lagos. In 1956, he was selected at the staff school run by British Broadcasting Corporation (B.B.C). In 1958, his novel was sending for recommendation in London by one of his teacher, Gilbert. In 1961, he met a woman in Enugu named, Christiana Chinua Okoli and got her married that same year at the university of Ibadan main campus and was blessed with children. Achebe died at the age of 82 on 21 March, 2013.

Some of his selected works includes:

          Things fall Apart (1958)

          No Longer At Ease (1960)

          Arrow of God (1964)

          A Man of the People (1987)

                   Short Stories

          Marriage is a Private Affairs (1952)

          Dead Meris Path (1953)

          The Sacrificial Egg and Other stories (1953)

          Civil Peace (1991)

          Girls at war and other stories and venegeful creditors (1973)

                   Poetry

          Beware Soul Brother and other poems (1971)

          Don’t Let Him Die (1978)

                   Children’s Books

          Chike and the River

          How the Leopard Got His Claws (1972)

          The Flute (1975)

          The Drum (1978).