Analysis of No Longer at Ease by Achebe
The book No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe tells the story of a Nigerianman named Obi Okonkwo who struggles with cultural identity and loyalty.The story deals with many topics including nationalism, colonialism,conflict and self-identity. The novel by Achebe focuses on a young man'slife and his lost connection with his African roots. Throughout the novelthe author shares many themes of conflict and struggle. This struggleextends from his personal perceptions of what is right and wrong, but alsoaddresses the conflict that exists within the country of Nigeria during themain characters youth. Within the story, a tale of "the young man's hatredfor the ruling elite" comes out (Hamilton, 2002). The story takes placeprimarily in the setting of post-colonial Nigeria. The main characterspends time both in his native country and in Europe.The main character of the novel, Obi, grows up in his native Nigeria, acountry that has witnessed the spread of colonialism and mingled thosetraditions with the traditions of native people's living in Nigeria. Inthe novel, Obi travels to England in search of an education, and thenreturns to Nigeria only to find that his country has l
Obi struggles because many of his peoplehave already chosen to embrace the ways of the British, rather than tomaintain their own ethnic identity. Obi is strugglingwith his ethnicity throughout the work in this respect. He is recognized, respected andsuccessful as long as he adapts to European traditions. The author writing the novel dealtwith much conflict in his life, and this conflict of identity, country andnationalism is shared through the eyes of the main character, Obi Okonkwo. Throughout thestory the reader realizes that the main character has also benefited fromthe many changes Europeans have brought to his country (Hamilton, 2002). I also agree that the Europeansunfairly thrust their ideals, belief systems and culture upon the Nigerianpeople, assuming that their ways were superior to those of the natives. SECTION 3: PERSONAL REVIEWThe novel "No Longer at Ease" was very revealing. Histhemes and personal idealisms are very well pronounced throughout thestory. This stems from the author'sown experiences attempting to identify with his culture in the face ofchange. I would definitely recommend this book for further exploration nextsemester. He desires that his nativepeople recognize their own culture as something to be proud of andenthusiastic about. It seems however, that many native traditions stillactually exist in Africa, perhaps this is the result of characters like Obior people like Achebe teaching and instructing people to be proud of theirnative heritage. I had no priorunderstanding of how great an influence colonialism had on the nativepeople's of the countries it affected. The book also portrays the third world in a unique perspective. Interestingly, Okonkwo points out in thework that there is little resistance to push European values out, as wouldbe the case in a very nationalistic and proud country (Hamilton, 2002).
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