Things Fall Apart and Thiong’o

Setting and History

• Igboland: Area inhabited by the Igbo people, linked by language and cultural norms.

• 1861: British begin exerting control over Igboland.

• 1884-85: Berlin Conference grants official control to British powers.

• Scramble for Africa: Rapid colonization of African territories by European nations.

• 1914: Nearly all African nations under colonial rule, with only Ethiopia and Liberia remaining independent.

• 1950s-70s: Decolonization period; most African countries gain independence.

• 1960: Nigeria attains independence from British rule.

Contexts of "Things Fall Apart"

• Setting: The novel is set in the 1890s but was published in the 1950s.

• Dual Contexts: Important to consider how historical and cultural contexts influence the reading experience.

• Language Choice: Although Achebe is fluent in Igbo, he chose to write in English.

  • Achebe views English as a "gift," facilitating global reach.

  • Contrast with Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o who opposes writing in the colonizer's language, asserting identity in native tongues.

• Achieving Mastery: Discusses Achebe's transformation of English into a "new English" that reflects African identity.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o on Language and Power

• Colonization and Language: Colonizers impose their language as a tool of domination.

• Demonization of Native Languages: Native African languages viewed as inferior, suitable only for basic communication.

• Language as Power: English is portrayed as language of intellect and prestige, while African languages are marginalized.

The Post-colonial or Imperial Gaze

• Definition of Gaze: Refers to how groups observe and categorize others.

• E. Ann Kaplan: Introduced the concept of the "imperial gaze" in 1997—focus on the observer's values.

• Central Narratives: Similarities with Edward Said's idea of "orientalism" in the context of the post-colonial gaze.

• Exploring Perspectives: The need to critically assess how we consume African arts and narratives in alignment with or against the imperial gaze.