Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

African literature
Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart 1958

The bulk of the novel takes place in Umuofia, a cluster of nine villages on the lower
Niger. Umuofia is a powerful clan, skilled in war and with a great population, with proud
traditions and advanced social institutions.

Okonkwo has risen from nothing to a high position. Through hard work, he has become
a great man among his people. He has taken three wives and his barn is full of yams,
the staple crop. He rules his family with an iron fist.

One day, a neighboring clan commits an offense against Umuofia. To avoid war, the
offending clan gives Umuofia one virgin and one young boy. The girl is to become the
offended party's new wife. The boy, whose name is Ikemefuna, is to be sacrificed, but
not immediately. He lives in Umuofia for three years, and during that time he lives
under Okonkwo's roof. He becomes like a part of Okonkwo's family. In particular,
Nwoye, Okonkwo's oldest son, loves Ikemefuna like a brother. But eventually the
Oracle calls for the boy's death, and a group of men take Ikemefuna away to kill him
in the forest. Okonkwo, fearful of being perceived as soft-hearted and weak,
participates in the boy's death. He does so despite the advice of the clan elders.
Nwoye is spiritually broken by the event.

Okonkwo is shaken as well, but he continues with his drive to become a lord of his
clan. He is constantly disappointed by Nwoye, but he has great love for his daughter
Ezinma, his child by his second wife Ekwefi. Ekwefi has born ten children, but only
Ezinma has survived. She loves the girl fiercely. Ezinma is sickly, and sometimes
Ekwefi fears that Ezinma, too, will die. Late one night, the powerful Oracle of Umuofia
brings Ezinma with her for a spiritual encounter with the earth goddess. Terrified,
Ekwefi follows the Oracle at a distance, fearing harm might come to her child.
Okonkwo follows, too.

Later, during a funeral for one of the great men of the clan, Okonkwo's gun explodes,
killing a boy. In accordance with Umuofia's law, Okonkwo and his family must be exiled
for seven years.

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 1

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

Okonkwo bears the exile bitterly. Central to his beliefs is faith that a man masters his
own destiny. But the accident and exile are proof that at times man cannot control his
own fate, and Okonkwo is forced to start over again without the strength and energy
of his youth. He flees with his family to Mbanto, his mother's homeland. There they are
received by his mother's family, who treat them generously. His mother's family is
headed by Uchendu, Okonkwo's uncle, a generous and wise old man.

During Okonkwo's exile, the white man comes to both Umuofia and Mbanto. The
missionaries arrive first, preaching a religion that seems mad to the Igbo people. They
win converts, but generally the converts are men of low rank or outcasts. However,
with time, the new religion gains momentum. Nwoye becomes a convert. When
Okonkwo learns of Nwoye's conversion, he beats the boy. Nwoye leaves home.

Okonkwo returns to Umuofia to find the clan sadly changed. The church has won some
converts, some of whom are fanatical and disrespectful of clan custom. Worse, the
white man's government has come to Umuofia. The clan is no longer free to judge its
own; a District Commissioner judges cases in ignorance. He is backed by armed
power.

During a religious gathering, a convert unmasks one of the clan spirits. The offense is
grave, and in response the clan decides that the church will no longer be allowed in
Umuofia. They tear the building down. Soon afterward, the District Commissioner asks
the leaders of the clan, Okonkwo among them, to come see him for a peaceful
meeting. The leaders arrive, and are quickly seized. In prison, they are humiliated and
beaten, and they are held until the clan pays a heavy fine.

After a release of the men, the clan calls a meeting to decide whether they will fight or
try to live peacefully with the whites. Okonkwo wants war. During the meeting, court
messengers come to order the men to break up their gathering. The clan meetings are
the heart of Umuofia's government; all decisions are reached democratically, and an
interference with this institution means the end of the last vestiges of Umuofia's
independence. Enraged, Okonkwo kills the court messenger. The other court
messengers escape, and because the other people of his clan did not seize them,
Okonkwo knows that his people will not choose war. His act of resistance will not be
followed by others. Embittered and grieving for the destruction of his people's

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 2

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

independence, and fearing the humiliation of dying under white law, Okonkwo returns
home and hangs himself.

NO LONGER AT EASE (1960)

Tital taken from - journey of Magi - TS Eliot

This novel is a sequel to Things Fall Apart and follows the story of Obi Okonkwo, the
grandson of Okonkwo. Obi returns to Nigeria after studying in England, only to find
himself caught between traditional values and modernity. The novel addresses the
challenges of post-colonial identity, corruption, and the clash between traditional
African culture and Western influences.
Arrow of God (1964)
Arrow of God is set in the early 20th century and focuses on the character of Ezeulu,
a priest of the god Ulu. The novel explores themes of power, religion, and the impact
of colonial rule on traditional African institutions. Achebe delves into the complexities
of cultural and political change as the Igbo society faces external pressures from
colonial authorities.

A Man of the People (1966)

These satirical novel critiques post-independence Nigerian politics and the corruption
that plagues the political system. It follows the story of a schoolteacher, Odili Samalu,
who becomes entangled in political intrigue and corruption. The novel is notable for its
sharp commentary on the failures of the new Nigerian state and the challenges of
governance.

Anthills of the Savannah (1987)

Anthills of the Savannah is set in a fictional African country and explores themes of
political corruption, power, and resistance. The novel follows the lives of three friends
who become entangled in the political turmoil of their country. It examines the role of
intellectuals and activists in the face of authoritarian rule and the struggle for social
justice.

In it Achebe describe the political situation through the

experience of 3 friends-

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 3

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

Chris oriko - commissioner

Beatrice Okoh - minister of Finance

Ikem Osodi- newspaper editor

WOLE SOYANKA

Noble -1986

• The Lion and the Jewel 1959

"The Lion and the Jewel" by Wole Soyinka is a comic play set in the Yoruba village
of Ilujinle. The story revolves around Sidi, a beautiful young woman, and her two
suitors: Lakunle, the modern, Western-educated schoolteacher, and Baroka, the
elderly but cunning village chief. Lakunle, who rejects traditional customs, wants to
marry Sidi but refuses to pay the bride price, seeing it as outdated. Baroka, on the
other hand, uses his wisdom and charm to win Sidi over, despite his age. In the
end, Sidi chooses Baroka, representing the triumph of tradition over modernity.
The play humorously explores the themes of tradition versus modernity, cultural
identity, and the roles of men and women in society.

• Kongi' Harvest

It is about the power and position

Kongi is new leader and Obadanola is old leader

Segi - old gf of Kongi but now gf of Danlola

"Kongi's Harvest" is a political satire set in the fictional African nation of Isma. The play
centers on Kongi, a dictator who seeks to legitimize his rule by taking control of the
annual New Yam Festival, traditionally presided over by the deposed king, Oba
Danlola. Kongi wants the festival to symbolize his total dominance over the country,
both culturally and politically.

• A Dance of the forest

It was presented at the Nigerian Independence celebration.

The play is set in a forest during a gathering of a new nation’s citizens who are
celebrating their independence. They call upon the Forest Head (a deity) to
summon the spirits of their illustrious ancestors to join the festivities. However,

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 4

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

instead of noble spirits, the Forest Head sends forth the spirits of a Dead Man and
a Dead Woman who were wronged in the past. These spirits represent the darker,
unresolved aspects of the community’s history.

• Telephone conversation (poem)

• Swamp Dwellers

It focuses on the struggle between the old and the new ways of life in America.

The play centers around an elderly couple, Makuri and Alu, who live in a small,
swampy village. They are waiting for the return of their son, Igwezu, who has gone
to the city with his twin brother, Awuchike, in search of better opportunities. While
Igwezu returns to the village after facing hardships in the city, Awuchike stays
behind, having abandoned his roots and responsibilities.

Upon Igwezu’s return, he finds that his wife, Desala, has left him for his more
prosperous brother, Awuchike. Disillusioned and heartbroken, Igwezu struggles to
reconcile his traditional upbringing with the harsh realities of both rural and urban
life. The play also introduces a wandering beggar, who represents spiritual and
existential questions about the meaning of life and the impact of modernity on
traditional ways.

• Death and the king Horseman

NGUGI WA THIONGO

• Black Hermit

Tribe - Uburoo

Protagonist - Remi

Wife - Thoni (commit suicide in the end)

The play centers around Remi, a young man from a rural village in Kenya, who leaves
his home to pursue education and a new life in the city. In the city, Remi becomes
politically aware and embraces modern ideas, which distance him from the
traditional values of his village.

Back in his village, Remi's people expect him to return and take on his responsibilities,
including marrying Thoni, the widow of his deceased brother. However, Remi

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 5

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

struggles with the demands of tradition and his desire for personal freedom and
modernity. He is torn between his obligations to his family and village, and his
newfound beliefs and aspirations.

• Weep Not Child 1964

About Mao- Mao rebellion against Racism

Secret leader of rebel - Boro

Father - Nagata

Boro involve in the murder and killed somebody

Jomo Kenyata reveals about murder

• The River Between

The novel is set in the rural Kikuyu community and revolves around the lives of two
neighboring villages divided by a river, the River Honia. The story follows the
conflict between two characters, Wariuki and Muthoni, who represent different
aspects of Kikuyu society and its interaction with colonial forces.
Wariuki is a young man who has been educated by missionaries and embraces
Western values. He becomes a teacher and seeks to modernize his community,
distancing himself from traditional practices

Muthoni, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in Kikuyu traditions. She is

determined to uphold the customs of her people, including undergoing a traditional
initiation ritual, despite the growing influence of European colonialism and
Christianity.

• Petals of the Blood

Tital taken from The Swamp by Darek Walcot. Book bigins by describing four main
characters. It is set in the rural village of Ilmorog and revolves around the murder of a
prominent figure. The story follows four characters: Munira, a disillusioned
schoolteacher; Wanja, a prostitute representing the exploitation of the poor; Ababio,
an activist fighting for justice; and Chike, a laborer involved in class struggles. As the
murder investigation unfolds, the novel exposes deep-seated corruption and social
inequality in post-colonial Kenya, highlighting the gap between the promises of
independence and the reality faced by ordinary people.

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 6

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

Munira (school teacher)

Abdula (bar and shop)

Wanza (barmaid)

Karega (assistant)

Drink serves in bar - Thengeta

• A Grain of Wheat

It deals with several stories during the state of emergency in Kenya's struggle for
independence focusing on quiet Mugo. The novel is set in Kenya during the final days
of British colonial rule and the early days of independence. It is structured around the
events leading up to and following the 1952-1960 Mau Mau Uprising, a significant
rebellion against colonial authority.

• De- Colonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African literature or

farewell to English

Colonial Legacy and Language: Ngugi argues that colonialism did not only exploit
African lands and resources but also systematically undermined African cultures and
languages. Colonial powers imposed their own languages, such as English, French,
and Portuguese, which were used to replace indigenous languages and cultures.

He suggests that the use of colonial languages in African literature is a form of

continued cultural domination and reflects an internalized colonial mentality.

Language and Identity: The book emphasizes the role of language in shaping identity
and consciousness. Ngugi contends that by using indigenous languages, Africans can
reconnect with their cultural heritage and reclaim their identities.

He believes that writing in African languages allows for a more authentic

representation of African experiences and perspectives, free from the constraints of
colonial languages.

The Politics of Language: Ngugi discusses how the choice of language in literature
is deeply political. By writing in English or other colonial languages, African writers are
often alienated from their own cultural contexts and audiences.

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 7

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

He advocates for a conscious shift towards writing in indigenous languages as a

means of resisting colonial legacies and fostering a more genuine cultural and
intellectual independence.

It has 4 essays

i. The language of African Literature

ii. The Language of African Theatre

iii. The Language of African Fiction

iv. The Quest of Relevance

BEN OKRI

• The Famished Road

Booker award 1991

Character- Azaro (spirit child)

Theme - translating to the world from Mortal to immortal world

• Song of Enchantment

• Infinite Riches

BUCHI EMECHETA

• Bride Price

Ma Blackie - Ezekiel

He died and got married to Okonkwo

Children - Akuna, Nna-nndo

Akuna is beautiful and in love with Chike. Akuna is kidnapped by Okoboshi.

Akuna and Chike run away, in the end Akuna died during child birth.

• Joy of Motherhood

Protagonist - Ego twice married with Amanta kuru and Nnai-fe. Their baby soon died
after that she has 9 children but all the girls.

NIDINE GORDIMER

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 8

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

Won Noble award in 1991.

• The Lying Days

It is the debut novel.

• The Conservationist

1974 booker

Mehring is a rich white businessman who is not satisfied with his life. His ex-wife has
gone to America, his liberal son, Terry (who is probably gay) criticizes his
conservative/capitalist ways, and his lovers and colleagues do not actually seem
interested in him. On a whim he buys a 400-acre farm outside the city, afterwards
trying to explain this purchase to himself as the search for a higher meaning in life.
But it is clear that he knows next to nothing about farming, and that black workers
run it – Mehring is simply an outsider, an intruder on the daily life of "his" farm. His
objective in buying the farm is to make a tax-deductible expense. "No farm is
beautiful unless it's productive," says Mehring. Plus, it is proper for his amorous
escapades. Land was a thing of his race. He once visits his farm with his girlfriend,
Antonia.

One day the black foreman, Jacobus, finds an unidentified dead body on the farm.
Since the dead man is black, the police find no urgency to look into the case and
simply bury the body on the spot where it was found. The idea of an unknown black
man buried on his land begins to "haunt" Mehring. A flood brings the body back to
the surface; although the farm workers do not know the stranger, they now give
him a proper burial as if he were a family member. There are hints that Mehring's
own burial will be less emotional than this burial of a stranger

Burger's Daughter

It is political and historical novel

• July's people

The story follows the Smales, a liberal White South African family who were forced
to flee Johannesburg to the native village of their black servant, July.

• My son's Study

CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 9

Sahitya Study UGC Net-JRF English, Assistant Professor

• Purple Hibiscus

The central character is Kambili Achike, aged fifteen for much of the period covered
by the book, a member of a wealthy family. Eugene is both a religious zealot and a
violent figure in the Achike household, subjecting his wife Beatrice, Kambili herself,
and her brother Jaja to violent beatings and psychological cruelty. Beatrice even
has two miscarriages because of the violence. The story is told through Kambili's
eyes and is essentially about the disintegration of her family unit and her struggle
to grow to maturity.

Character- Eugene and Betrice

Jaja (son) Kambili (daughter)

Betrice killed Eugene by poisoned him and Jaja takes the blame

• Half of the Yellow Son

The novel takes place during Nigerian civil war. The effect of the war is shown through
the relationship of 5 people.

Ugwu (novel start and end with Ugwu)

Odenigbo (proff of mathematics)

Olanna (she is described illogical beautiful)

Kainene (Olanna's twins)

Richard Churchill (English writer)

• We should all be Feminists

Dilbag Verma 9053239892 Page 10