Achebe and his purposes in Things Fall Apart

Achebe’s choices in how he narrates Things Fall Apart result intriguing. This is because, although the novel is written about Nigeria in the eve of colonization, Achebe choses to write the novel two years before Nigeria gains its independence from Britain, in 1958. It must first be considered that Achebe was part of the movement advocating for an independent Nigeria, that he was motivated to provide an accurate representation of the complexity of his culture in English literature and he was personally concerned with exploring his hybrid identity as a proud Igbo and a Christian. 

Taking these factors into consideration, first and foremost, it could be concluded that Achebe chose to write about that historical context because of the need to remind Nigerians of why they are in need of independence in the first place. The novel portrays the Igbo people as a united peoples that truly only begin to fall apart until the colonizers arrive with their new ways of living and propositions. The novel, thus, could serve as a reminder of the importance of unification because only then, will they be able to counter the superior hegemonic force implied by the British. Furthermore, the novel could serve as a reminder of why Nigerians want and need independence and hence, continue to morally motivate the independence movement.

Secondly, it could be said that Achebe chose to write about that historical context because of the power narrative– the winners get to tell the story whilst the losers never do. In a way, what could be implied by this, is that regardless of the independence movement outcome, Achebe could have at least secured the prevalence of a ‘single story’ of Nigeria. As an African author, he was providing an authentic cultural perspective as to what colonization was for those being colonized.

His choice to write in English serves a variety of purpose, specially when paired with the idea that he was a proud Igbo and a Christian. First and foremost, writing in English ensures that the story not only reaches the ears of other Nigerians, showing that their culture is valuable and worthy of having its story told– but it also ensures that it gets to people outside of Nigeria. It ensures that those that have never made contact with Nigerian land hear an authentic perspective of the colonization experience, and hence, avoid falling into the close minded perspective of a single, stereotypical story. Furthermore, it can also be argued that his choice to write in English is attributed to the reality of Nigerians right before independence– yes, they have been abused, enslaved and tortured, but simultaneously, the colonizers have also brought with them advantages. Achebe, by mixing his heritage with the language of colonizers, shows that although it is important to maintain an integral and inherent Nigerian identity, it also is equally important to progress as a nation. In order to progress, they may borrow some of those advantages brought about by the British. Achebe wants to see the nation moving forwards with a new, constructed Nigerian identity, rather than moving backwards to how the nation was before colonization.