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Jan 1, 1520
Introduction of Literature to Africa
The first record goes all the way back to 2300-2100 CE. But it really first began around 1520. It was greatly influenced by Islamic literature but was brought to Africa by Europe. Chinua Achebe was considered to play a major role in the development of African literature. He was, and still is, a successful author and his works are read nation-wide. This is the AP world theme of culture and social. It also shows cultural diffusion because Europeans came to Nigeria, and brought literature with. -
Cultural Clash
The main cultural clash in Nigeria was when the Muslims and Christians came into their land. This is the AP world theme of culture and social. When they came into Nigeria, they tried converting everyone to their religion. This impacted Achebe's works because he writes about religion and culture quite often. For example, in Things Fall Apart he writes, "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion..and our clan can no longer act like one" (Ch. 20). -
Africa Under European Political Influences
Africa was under European political influence and it was hard to escape from it. It began when Europe wanted to create nation-states in Africa. This goes with the AP world theme of political and social. This influenced Chinua Achebe's works such as No Longer at Ease, A Man of the People, and Anthills of the Savannah. "The emperor would prefer the poet to keep away from politics, the emperor's domain, so that he can manage things the way he likes" (Anthills of the Savannah). -
Chinua Achebe was born.
He was born in Ogidi Anambra, Nigeria. His mother is Janet Anaenechi Iloegbunam Achebe and his father is Isaiah Okafo Achebe. Nigeria is also where a lot of his works take place. -
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Chinua Achebe's Life
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Leprosy Outbreak in Nigeria
One major pandemic in Nigeria was the outbreak of leprosy. This lasted for several years and it impacted Chinua Achebe's life because when he became an author, he wrote about it. For example, in No Longer at Ease, he writes, "Osu is like leprosy in the minds of our people. I beg of you, my son, not to bring the mark of shame and of leprosy into your family" (Shmoop). This goes with the AP world theme of social. -
Chinua Achebe attended The University of Ibadan
He went here to get educated in English. He went here from 1948-1953. This influenced his works because if he never went here to get educated in English, he would not have learned how to be a great writer, therefore, he would not have become a famous author. This matches with the AP theme of social. A quote from his work proving his education impacted it comes from his first novel, Things Fall Apart. "When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk" (Good Reads). -
1st Courses Begin at University of Ibadan, Nigeria
This is an important historical event to Chinua Achebe's life because he went here the first year it opened. When he went here, he learned more in English, which helped start his career as a writer. This event reflects on the AP world theme of social. Achebe had a better view on the world and by going here, it let him expand on his writing skills in order to be the great author he was. -
Requirement of Education in Nigeria
"Western-style education was a necessary...under colonial rule, literacy and educational qualifications were required.." (Country Studies). Education gave a person higher status and schooling was required. Achebe went to school to get a better education. This goes with the AP world theme of culture and social. It goes with those because in culture it gave the people a higher status and for social because it was a requirement for everyone; going to school greatly impacted his writing skills. -
Chinua Achebe Got Inspired To Write
After Achebe read Joyce Cary’s Mister Johnson, which is set in southern Nigeria, he got offended. He realized that Cary did not portray African people like they should have been described. He called them “bumbling idiots” which was not true. Achebe found it disrespectful. He realised that he wanted to write about the truth and had a new way of looking at literature. This ties in with the AP world theme of culture and social. He wrote Things Fall Apart as a way to reclaim African history. -
Chinua Achebe's Personal Success
Chinua Achebe's personal success began when he got Things Fall Apart published. It was translated into more than 50 languages, sold over eight million copies, and is read in many schools worldwide. This follows the AP world themes of social and economic because he gained more popularity and more money. It influenced his work by encouraging him to write and publish more of them. -
Gender Roles
There was a major difference between men and women in Africa. The men were seen as superior to their wives and children. This ties in with the AP world theme of social. They were divided; the husbands would go to work and the wives would stay home and cook and clean. This impacted Achebe's works because he wrote about gender roles often. For example, in Things Fall Apart, he writes "Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand. His wives..lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper" (Shmoop). -
Nigeria Became Self-Governed
After World War II, Nigeria moved toward being self-governed through a constitution. This was a response to Nigerian nationalism and a demand for independence. This is reflected in Achebe's works because he was afraid of war breaking out. "Okonkwo stood looking at the dead man. He knew that Umuofia would not go to war..They had broken into tumult instead of action. He discerned fright in that tumult.." (Things Fall Apart, Ch. 24) This ties in with the AP world themes of political and social. -
Nigeria Gains Independence From Britain (National Day)
This event shaped the view of Nigeria for Chinua Achebe. Before Nigeria gained it's independence, several of his works were about pre-independent Nigeria, like No Longer at Ease. Nigeria receiving independence greatly influenced his works because they began to change and be about post-independent Nigeria such as, Things Fall Apart. This ties in with the AP world theme of political and economic. -
Chinua Achebe converts to Christianity
Chinua Achebe's parents were one of the first to convert to Christianity. This is why he converted. His parents traveled the region to preach and teach about it. This follows the AP world theme of culture. Religion greatly influenced his works and this is shown in Things Fall Apart. "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one." -
Chinua Achebe Got Married
Chinua Achebe got married to Christie Chinwe Okoli in Nigeria and several years later, they had four children. This life event is reflected in his works. He writes about family life often. For example, in Things Fall Apart, he writes, "[Okonkwo] was a very strong man and rarely felt fatigue. But his wives and children were not as strong, and so they suffered" (Shmoop). Readers can tell that family is very important to Achebe. This ties in with the AP world theme of culture and social. -
Nigeria - 30 Month Civil War
Nigeria's political climate kept on getting worse, so a war broke out in 1966. This greatly impacted Achebe's life because he quit his job at NBC and moved to another region, Biafra. He decided to work on his stories, poetry, and essays while there. The work that he published was Beware, Soul Brother in 1971. The war had a big influence on his writing then. This is the AP world themes of political and economic. -
Significant Friendship of Chinua Achebe
One friend that made a major impact on Achebe's life was Christopher Okigbo. He was a notorious poet and him and Achebe co-founded a publishing company, the Citadel Press. It was an outlet for African-based children books. This ties in with the AP theme of social. They connected in a way that helped Achebe's career and help shape African life throughout the stories. Okigbo was later killed in the Nigerian civil war; this was very hard for Achebe. He wanted to be an even better writer after this. -
The Death of Chinua Achebe
He died at age 82 in Boston.
