Chinua Achebe’s novel No Longer At Ease describes the twilight zone between the
British rule of Nigeria and the country’s independence. It is a transitional period during which
the Whites are leaving the country and the natives are getting responsible for their own lives;
colonialism is giving way to a post-colonial situation. Nigerians are now forced to negotiate the
claims of both colonial modernity and their previously degraded African mode of life. The
period of transition is one in which binary oppositions (colonial vs. African, modernity vs.
tradition) seem to be collapsing, unveiling what Mudimbe calls “the strong tension between a
modernity that often is an illusion of development, and a tradition that sometimes reflects a poor
image of a mythical past” (5).
No Longer At Ease was first published in 1960, the year of Nigeria's independence from
England. This is significant because it is a novel that pertains to a trend of literature called postcolonial
literature that still survives. There are many issues that arise out of post-colonialism,
issues that authors and writers around the world have had to deal with. Africa, India, and the
West Indies all have come out of the colonial era with a new literature that must address the
problems that colonialism left behind. Some of the problems in post-colonial regions concern
language, education, the conflict between traditional ways and Western or European ways, the
presence of the English, and corruption. Those who later moved into the land of the colonizer
(for instance, Obi, while studying in England) experience an entire set of new problems such as
nostalgia for home, memory, and the desire for the homeland. When Obi returns from his studies
in England, he is an honest idealistic young man. He takes a high paying job in the civil service
but soon finds that his salary is not sufficient to meet the financial demands made upon him. He
also gets involved with a woman his parents and the clan despise. In the end he is caught taking
bribes and is sent to prison. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Obi Okonkwo as a ‘postcolonial subject’ In Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the character of Obi Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe's novel No Longer At Ease as a postcolonial subject caught between traditional Igbo culture and the modernity imposed by British colonial rule. The central research focus explores how Obi's Western education acts as both a tool for personal advancement and a catalyst for his alienation, resulting in an irreconcilable identity crisis.
- The clash between traditional African values and Western colonial modernity.
- The role of education as a bridge and a barrier to social belonging.
- Obi Okonkwo’s inner conflict and alienation from his clan and family.
- The metaphorical significance of language and literature in post-colonial identity.
- The juxtaposition of the traditional Umuofian world and the colonial administration.
Excerpt from the Book
Obi Okonkwo as a ‘postcolonial subject’ In Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease
Chinua Achebe’s novel No Longer At Ease describes the twilight zone between the British rule of Nigeria and the country’s independence. It is a transitional period during which the Whites are leaving the country and the natives are getting responsible for their own lives; colonialism is giving way to a post-colonial situation. Nigerians are now forced to negotiate the claims of both colonial modernity and their previously degraded African mode of life. The period of transition is one in which binary oppositions (colonial vs. African, modernity vs. tradition) seem to be collapsing, unveiling what Mudimbe calls “the strong tension between a modernity that often is an illusion of development, and a tradition that sometimes reflects a poor image of a mythical past” (5).
No Longer At Ease was first published in 1960, the year of Nigeria's independence from England. This is significant because it is a novel that pertains to a trend of literature called post-colonial literature that still survives. There are many issues that arise out of post-colonialism, issues that authors and writers around the world have had to deal with. Africa, India, and the West Indies all have come out of the colonial era with a new literature that must address the problems that colonialism left behind. Some of the problems in post-colonial regions concern language, education, the conflict between traditional ways and Western or European ways, the presence of the English, and corruption. Those who later moved into the land of the colonizer (for instance, Obi, while studying in England) experience an entire set of new problems such as nostalgia for home, memory, and the desire for the homeland. When Obi returns from his studies in England, he is an honest idealistic young man. He takes a high paying job in the civil service but soon finds that his salary is not sufficient to meet the financial demands made upon him. He also gets involved with a woman his parents and the clan despise. In the end he is caught taking bribes and is sent to prison.
Summary of Chapters
1. Obi Okonkwo as a ‘postcolonial subject’ In Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease: This chapter analyzes the protagonist's struggle between his traditional upbringing in Umuofia and the Western influence he acquired through his education in England, highlighting his failure to reconcile these two worlds.
Keywords
No Longer At Ease, Chinua Achebe, Obi Okonkwo, postcolonialism, identity crisis, traditionalism, Western education, Umuofia, alienation, colonial Nigeria, cultural conflict, literature, language, Nigeria, independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the identity conflict of the protagonist, Obi Okonkwo, within the context of post-colonial Nigeria, examining his entrapment between traditional Igbo heritage and Western colonial influences.
Which central thematic fields are analyzed?
The study focuses on the legacy of colonial rule, the burden of higher education, the tension between communal tribal expectations and individual desires, and the role of language in constructing identity.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to characterize Obi Okonkwo as a 'postcolonial subject' who suffers from alienation because he belongs to neither the traditional village structure nor the colonial administrative world completely.
Which methodology is utilized in this study?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, utilizing post-colonial theoretical frameworks and referencing scholarly criticism by authors such as Simon Gikandi and Vumbi Yoka Mudimbe.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The body covers Obi's academic journey in England, the reception organized by the Umuofia Progressive Union, his conflicting relationships with characters like Clara and Mr. Green, and the struggle between indigenous versus foreign cultural expectations.
Which keywords define this academic work?
Key terms include postcolonialism, identity, alienation, Umuofia, Western education, and cultural hybridity.
How does Obi's education impact his relationship with his family?
His education separates him from the communal expectations of his family, making him view his roots from a distance while his family views him as their 'property' and investment, creating resentment on both sides.
What significance does the character Mr. Green hold?
Mr. Green represents the archetypal colonial figure whose attitude embodies the superiority complex of the British Empire, serving as a constant antagonist to Obi's attempt to reconcile his identity.
Why does the paper focus on the struggle of language?
Language acts as a proxy for culture; the paper discusses how Obi feels more comfortable with the English language in professional settings, yet struggles to express his deepest emotions in his native tongue, illustrating his internal division.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2002, Obi Okonkwo as a 'postcolonial subject' in Chinua Achebe's 'No Longer At Ease', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/23479
