This paper proposes to examine the issue of contradictions in Nkrumah's narrative. Among the many contradictions, emphasis will be placed on Nkrumah’s sudden admiration for the colonial master he has been fighting all this while, the essence of which is to look at the character of Nkrumah, his attitude in relation to his touted “messianic mission.”
The existing critical reception of the beautifully written personal account of Kwame Nkrumah, does appear to overlook the essentiality of the contradictions in his language use. The autobiographical ideology that, in fact, language has a way of betraying itself or giving itself a certain measure of truth and meaning is at the heart of autobiographical proper. The narrative of Nkrumah reflects both his life and his struggle for independence for Ghana. From the word go, Nkrumah creates an impression on the mind of the reader to consider either to detach himself with the truth of the narrative or to continue to identify with it.
Kwame Nkrumah was born on 21st September, 1909 in the village of Nkroful in Nzima-Ghana. Arguably, Nkrumah was seen as the founder of the then Gold Coast – Ghana. Through his efforts, Ghana attained independence from British Colonial Imperialism on the 6th of March, 1957. Nkrumah certainly became Ghana’s first president of the Republic having served as a prime minister un the British Monarchical Regime. The contributions of Nkrumah towards Ghana’s Independence cannot be overlooked. With much opposition from his people at the time, Nkrumah, through the Conventions People’s Party (CPP) formed the first government. Coincidentally, his autobiography was published on the same year Ghana attained her Independence. This was perhaps the more reason it was first titled: Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2. METHODOLOGY
3. BACKGROUND TO NKRUMAH AND HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
5 CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to investigate the presence of linguistic and narrative contradictions within Kwame Nkrumah’s autobiography to determine how these inconsistencies impact the author's character and the credibility of his self-portrayal as a revolutionary leader.
- The theoretical definition of autobiography and the "autobiographical pact."
- The identification of logical inconsistencies regarding factual details like Nkrumah's birth date.
- Analysis of paradoxical anecdotes and supernatural claims in the narrative.
- The study of the contradiction between Nkrumah's anti-colonial stance and his admiration for the colonial Governor.
- The evaluation of how these contradictions affect reader trust and political legacy.
Excerpt from the Book
The day after my release from prison, I was invited by the Governor to meet him at nine o’clock that morning. When I walked into the courtyard of Christiansborg Castle, the official residence of the Governor, I suddenly realised that it was the very first time I had set eyes on the place. The glaring white stone of battlements, the impressive forecourt and the beauty of this imposing building with the roaring surf battering against its foundations, seemed to me like a new world. Although Sir Charles Arden – Clarke and I had no idea what he looked like, for we had never met. I wondered how I should be received. Had I known this man before, I should not have doubted the courtesy that would be shown to me.
A tall, broad-shouldered man, sun-tanned, with an expression of firmness and discipline but with a twinkle of kindness in his eyes came towards me with his hand outstretched; a hand that I noticed was large and capable looking. He welcomed me and asked me how I was. As we both sat down I sensed that he must be feeling as alert and suspicious of me as I was of him. We lost little time, however, in coming down to the business on hand. I did my best to make it clear to him that I would be prepared at all times to place my cards face upwards on the table because it was only by frankness that mutual trust and confidence could be established (p.137)
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This chapter establishes the theoretical framework for analyzing autobiographies, focusing on definitions by Pascal and Lejeune, and introduces the research problem regarding contradictions in language use.
2. METHODOLOGY: This section describes the descriptive qualitative research design and content analysis method used to evaluate instances of inconsistency in Nkrumah’s text.
3. BACKGROUND TO NKRUMAH AND HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY: This chapter provides biographical context for Kwame Nkrumah and discusses the structure and intent of his autobiography published at the time of Ghana's independence.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: This section analyzes specific instances of contradictions, including conflicting birth dates, supernatural anecdotes, and the author's surprising admiration for the colonial Governor.
5 CONCLUSION: This chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating that the identified contradictions reveal a lack of internal consistency that ultimately undermines the author's credibility.
Keywords
autobiography, contradictions, Nkrumah Kwame, colonial imperialism, narrative, inconsistency, independence, Ghana, language use, identity, Messianic mission, political leader, truth, retrospection, character
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the narrative and linguistic contradictions found in the autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah to understand how these inconsistencies affect his public image and his credibility as a leader.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the nature of autobiographical truth, the influence of colonial power dynamics on personal narratives, and the impact of logical paradoxes on the reader's perception of the protagonist.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to identify specific contradictions in Nkrumah's writing and analyze how these contradictions influence the reader's understanding of his character and the "messianic mission" he promoted.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a descriptive qualitative research design, specifically employing content analysis to isolate and examine instances of logical inconsistency within the autobiographical text.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body focuses on theoretical definitions of autobiography, empirical examples of contradictions—such as conflicting birth dates and supernatural claims—and the critical analysis of Nkrumah's meeting with the colonial Governor.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include autobiography, contradictions, Nkrumah Kwame, narrative, colonial imperialism, inconsistency, and independence.
How does the author define the "autobiographical pact"?
The author refers to Philippe Lejeune's concept, where the author, narrator, and protagonist must be identical, forming a truthful and reliable account of the individual's life.
Why does the author consider the description of the "Christiansborg Castle" contradictory?
The author argues that Nkrumah describes a colonial site of oppression with eloquent admiration, which contradicts his fierce political stance against the colonial masters who occupied that same space.
How does the author interpret the anecdote about the fish?
The author views the story of Nkrumah stepping on a fish while being carried by his mother as an example of an inconsistent and paradoxical narrative that serves to emphasize a sense of destiny or supernatural quality.
What is the final conclusion regarding Nkrumah’s character?
The author concludes that the accumulation of contradictions throughout the autobiography leads to a loss of trust in Nkrumah, which the author suggests is linked to his eventual political downfall.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Joseph Peter Yaw-kan (Autor:in), 2020, Contradictions in Nkrumah's autobiography. An examination, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1133159
