Essays and Research Papers on African Literature

This 3 page paper uses various readings, in particular Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart,” to discuss ways in which culture and religion shape each other. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing Chinua Achebe's first novel. The writer explores whether the arrival of the white man in what is now Nigeria was a greater threat to the established government or religion of the villagers in the story. This paper illustrates that the threat was greater to religion since all political action ...

A 6 page paper which examines the changes that come to the village, how these changes are brought about, what/who are the agents of these changes, actions and influences of the colonial representatives including the religious converts, and the influence of the new religion. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 6 page paper which compares three African tribal novels -- Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, Flora Nwapa's Efuru and Fa-Digi Sisoko's Epic of Son-Jara (Sunjata) -- to determine what they illuminate about pre-colonial African history. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

An 11 page paper discussing South African dissident Athol Fugard's 1961 play The Blood Knot. The text of the play is carefully examined in light of South Africa's history and culture and their unique effect on the play. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page report discusses the various changes in the status of women and women's roles in Africa through pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial times. The entire issue of gender and gender roles serves as just one more example of the depth of complexity of any issue related to Africa, whether in terms of history or ...

An eight page paper looking at Chinua Achebe’s novel in terms of the author’s attitude toward the cultural clash between the British and the indigenous culture. The paper asserts that the protagonist Okonkwo symbolizes the aspects of African culture that cannot survive -- not because they are inferior, but because they inflexible and resistant to change. ...

A 10 page paper analyzing the importance of the proverbs in Chinua Achebe's novel. The paper looks at six critical analyses of the book and shows how the critics support the view that the use of proverbs is integral to the way Achebe's characters communicate with one another. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 10 page paper discussing citizenship and its obligations. 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe and 'Man's Search for Meaning' are used as the primary reference points for the discussion. Issues of the meaning and practice of community are also discussed. Bibliography lists six sources.

This 10 page research paper provides an examination into Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, focusing on the main character, Okonkwo. Specifically considered in this character evaluation is how Okonkwo demonstrates the traditional aspects of his 'ideal society,' his perceptions of good and evil, likes and dislikes. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

An 8 page paper looking at the nature of intercultural communication in Chinua Achebe's classic novel. The paper defines intercultural communication as necessitating not only a commonality of language but a commonality of viewpoint and assumption. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In this 4 page essay, the writer describes Things Fall Apart as 'classic' in the sense that it adheres to Aristotle's definition of a tragedy and Okonkwo presents himself as a tragic hero. Specific examples form the story, -- including evidence of Okonkwo's tragic flaw,-- are provided to illustrated points made. No other sources cited.

The writer of this 5 page essay describes Okonkwo as a troubled individual with deeply-repressed feelings (particularly towards his father) who-- expresses these feelings as anger and aggression. Okonwko has developed a loathing for anything feminine; he is extremely macho and expects the same of all men around him. In a sense, he is overcompensating ...

This 5 page report discusses the Achebe's first novel (written in 1958) and the idea of how its main character, Okonkwo, struggles for freedom. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 4 page report discusses the Achebe's first novel (written in 1958) and the idea of how its main character, Okonkwo, struggles for freedom. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In this 2 page essay, the writer argues that Okonkwo suffered from his own failure to confirm with society. Examples from the story -- including his own death -- are used to back-up this point. No other sources cited.

In this 5 page essay, the writer analyzes how the coming of the White man to Africa meant the end of traditional culture in Things Fall Apart. Interestingly, pertinent events are very similar in 'Clear Light Of Day'-- in which the sociocultural impact of the English coming to India are described. Relevant comparisons are made. ...

The status of the family described within Pa Chin's work The Family is defined by class status and definitive social design. The structure of power and the interactions of the decision making processes are the foundation for the trans-class love that develops between Cheuh-hui, the third son, and Ming-feng, a house servant. Things ...

A five page paper analyzing Chinua Achebe’s novel from a cultural perspective. The paper holds that while the protagonist Okonkwo is clearly meant to represent the Ibo people under the thumb of British imperialism, Okonkwo really “falls apart” because he is unable to change. No additional sources.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is the story of the post-colonial conflict between Africa and Europe, as well as the conflict between the Western way of doing things and the tribal consciousness. It is the story of the psychological and social consequences of the transition from the tribal indigenous society to the Western ...

A 7 page character analysis of Okonkwo, the chief protagonist in Chinua Achebe’s 1959 novel, 'Things Fall Apart,' as well as a consideration of the third-person narrative structure used in the novel. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A five page look at the issue of South African apartheid which forms the backdrop of Alan Paton’s novel. The paper concludes that although the protagonist of the novel would be merely content if whites were kind to him, he misses the importance of legally-mandated equality. Bibliography lists four sources.

A five page paper looking at Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe’s work in terms of the moral lessons the reader takes away with him. The paper asserts that morality is central to literature because it allows fiction to guide us in the way we live our lives. No additional sources.

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts the strengths and weaknesses of the Nigerian male character Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s 1959 novel, 'Things Fall Apart' with the Nigerian female character Nnu Ego in Buchi Emecheta’s 1979 novel, 'The Joys of Motherhood.' Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A six-page paper overview of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel. It traces the plight of the protagonist Okonkwo as he confronts his own inability to handle the dissolution of traditional Ibo culture in the face of colonial imperialism. No additional sources.