LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 23:10 October 2023
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
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         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Effects of Colonialism on Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart from an Ecocritical Postcolonial Perspective

Shahera Khatun, M.A.

Abstract

Ecocriticism and Post-Colonialism, as intellectual currents, emerge as direct consequences of the post-structuralist paradigm. Both of these literary theories emerge as novel constructs, intricately intertwined with one another. The emergence of postcolonialism can be traced to the response of the formerly colonized territories to their erstwhile imperial overlords. The indigenous writers, in a courageous act of resistance, began to engage in a literary discourse that challenged the hegemonic center that had exerted its dominance over their existence for countless generations.

The dominant discourse has perpetuated a degrading representation of the native inhabitants of the colonies. The indigenous inhabitants were depicted as barbaric and devoid of civilization, thereby prompting the colonizer to rationalize its occupation by framing it as a noble obligation to rectify the purportedly "unethical" and "immoral" customs of these primitive individuals.

Similar to the emergence of postcolonialism, Ecocriticism too has arisen from a profound affection and apprehension for the entirety of the natural world. Ecocriticism endeavors to forge a robust nexus between the natural realm and the sociopolitical sphere. It is asserted that the preservation of Nature should not be compromised in the pursuit of human materialistic desires. Through the interdisciplinary framework of Ecocriticism Post-Colonialism, we are afforded the opportunity to delve into the intricate layers of Cultural and Environmental degradation, meticulously orchestrated by the White rulers under the guise of development and modernization.

In the seminal work Things Fall Apart (1958) authored by Chinua Achebe, one is presented with a vivid and penetrating depiction of the profound repercussions of colonialism upon both the human and non-human constituents. Achebe's masterful narrative endeavors to capture the essence of this historical phenomenon with a remarkable degree of realism and accuracy. This essay endeavors to delve into the intricate dynamics of Africa's cultural and environmental exploitation at the hands of colonial powers. Through a meticulous examination of Chinua Achebe's seminal work, Things Fall Apart, one can discern a profound exploration of the contrasting realms of pre-colonial African society and the colonized Africa, thereby illuminating the transformative impact imposed by imperial powers.

Keywords: Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe, Culture, Environment, Ecocriticism, Postcolonialism.

The current discourse aims to examine the depiction of Igbo culture and its subsequent collapse as a consequence of colonialism. The literary work entitled Things Fall Apart is authored by Chinua Achebe, a prominent African writer. The publication of the work occurred in the year 1958, with its title being borrowed from the poem "The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats. The work is structured into three distinct sections, providing a portrayal of the experiences and circumstances of the Igbo community in both the pre-colonial and post-colonial eras of the nineteenth century. The first segment delineates the customary practices, rituals, cultural norms, and historical background of the Igbo society. Subsequently, the subsequent and tertiary sections expound upon the ramifications of imperialism and the influence of Christian missionaries on Okonkwo and his community.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Shahera Khatun, M.A.
Lecturer
Department of English
Noakhali Science and Technology University
Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
jaousjojo@gmail.com
Mobile: +8801814773298
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