[...] Although there is quite a number of reasonable arguments for not welcoming Turkey
to the European “family”, such as financial as well as political and ethical, the majority of
Turkish people consider prejudices against Turks as the actual reason for their rejection: they
are (culturally) too different and more than the half of the European citizens are against a
Turkish membership in the EU. Instead, a “privileged partnership” is being proposed by
some conservative European governments (or opposing parties such as the German Christian
Democratic party), instead of a full membership. I think “full” needs to be emphasised here
because it means a real and well-meant friendship, a step closer to becoming a family member
one day rather than a mere political (or strategical) ally. Well, family implies that there are
less differences, that one is almost alike. There are many European tenets as well as
traditional views which hinder an honest dialogue since Europe has yet to rid itself of some
of its dangerous ideas (“maleficent” fictions) which set the world ablaze in the 20th century.
Neither Nigeria is honestly acknowledged, nor is (in the minds of many a European critic)
Achebe’s writing universal5, nor is Turkey’s fourty-year old endeavour to become a full
European member acceptable. There is, intellectually, a problem on the part of Europe to
accept the idea of equality which Achebe has been persistently trying to point out both in his
novels and in his essays (which is the same reason, I think, why Turkey is so hard done by):
feeling of superiority. That is why Achebe’s books lack the quality of universal European (or
Western) books and is only applicable to Nigeria and likewise the reason for Turkey being a
second-rate country. Both of these concepts reveal classical European ideas that will – in all
probability – prove to be false during the course of the twenty-first century. In order to
support my thesis, which I admit sounds far-fetched at first glance, I will refer to Chinua
Achebe’s accounts on colonial criticism and, wherever possible, compare them to the recent
issue in European dealings with the Other, i.e. the Turk. I will later on focus on the novels
“Arrow of God” and “A Man of the People”, particularly on the aspect of religion in “Arrow
of God” and the post-colonial phenomena of Nigeria in “A Man of the People”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. European-African Relationships
- III. Achebe on Literature
- IV. Achebe - The Novels
- V. Religion in Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God
- VI. Post-Colonial Phenomena in A Man of the People
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze Chinua Achebe's writings through the lens of European-African relationships, exploring the complex dynamics between the two continents. The paper examines Achebe's critique of European colonialism and its lasting impact on African identity and culture. It also delves into the themes of religion and post-colonialism in Achebe's novels, particularly "Arrow of God" and "A Man of the People."- European-African Relations: The paper explores the history of European-African interactions, focusing on the complexities and inequalities inherent in these relationships.
- Colonialism and Its Legacy: It examines Achebe's critique of colonialism and its lasting impact on African identity and culture, highlighting the power dynamics and enduring effects of this historical period.
- Religion and African Culture: The paper explores the role of religion in Achebe's work, particularly in "Arrow of God," examining how religion serves as a vehicle for cultural expression, resistance, and societal transformation.
- Post-colonial Phenomena: The paper analyzes the post-colonial experience in Nigeria, focusing on themes of power struggles, social and political change, and the complexities of nation-building in a post-colonial context.
- Achebe's Literary Vision: The paper examines Achebe's literary contribution, exploring his unique perspective on African identity, history, and culture.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of European-African relationships and examines Achebe's perspective on these interactions. It draws parallels between the European Union's negotiations with Turkey and the historical relationship between Europe and Africa, highlighting the concept of "otherness" and European notions of superiority.
- European-African Relationships: This chapter analyzes Achebe's views on the "partnership" between Europe and Africa, arguing that the relationship has been deeply unequal and exploitative. Achebe's critique of European colonialism and its lasting impact on African identity are examined, highlighting the power dynamics and enduring effects of this historical period.
- Achebe on Literature: This chapter delves into Achebe's views on literature and its role in shaping perspectives and understanding the world. It explores Achebe's critique of Western literary canons and his advocacy for a more inclusive and representative understanding of literature.
- Achebe - The Novels: This chapter provides a brief overview of Achebe's novels, highlighting their themes and contributions to African literature. It sets the stage for the more detailed analyses of specific novels in subsequent chapters.
- Religion in Chinua Achebe's Arrow of God: This chapter examines the role of religion in Achebe's novel "Arrow of God." It explores how religion serves as a vehicle for cultural expression, resistance, and societal transformation, as well as its impact on individual lives and community dynamics.
- Post-Colonial Phenomena in A Man of the People: This chapter analyzes themes of power struggles, social and political change, and the complexities of nation-building in a post-colonial context, focusing on Achebe's novel "A Man of the People." It examines the novel's critique of corruption and its exploration of the challenges faced by newly independent nations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the key themes of European colonialism, African identity, religion, post-colonialism, and literary critique. It focuses on the writings of Chinua Achebe, examining his novels, "Arrow of God" and "A Man of the People," and his essays on European-African relations and the nature of literature. Key concepts include "otherness," power dynamics, cultural identity, and the enduring legacy of colonialism.- Quote paper
- StR Sener Saltürk (Author), 2005, Chinua Achebe: European-African Frictions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/204004
