Things Fall Apart: An introduction A novel by Chinua Achebe

Nigeria: British Colony

Area been occupied since at least 9000 BCE Area been occupied since at least 9000 BCE Portuguese established port: Lagos – used to trade slaves Portuguese established port: Lagos – used to trade slaves After Napoleonic Wars, British began trade, took over as colonial power in 1885 After Napoleonic Wars, British began trade, took over as colonial power in 1885 British divided the area into two sections and set up colonial government British divided the area into two sections and set up colonial government Several wars fought between British and Nigerians in 1897 and Several wars fought between British and Nigerians in 1897 and Nigeria was not independent until Oct., 1960 Nigeria was not independent until Oct., 1960

Chinua Achebe 1930-present

Achebe Born in southeastern Nigeria, Igbo village Born in southeastern Nigeria, Igbo village Raised by Christian parents Raised by Christian parents Won a scholarship to attend Government College, set up by British colonial government; began to discover literature Won a scholarship to attend Government College, set up by British colonial government; began to discover literature Attended new University College in Nigeria, again set up by British Attended new University College in Nigeria, again set up by British

After graduation Achebe began teaching but left after a few months to take a job with the Nigerian Broadcasting Service where he wrote scripts After graduation Achebe began teaching but left after a few months to take a job with the Nigerian Broadcasting Service where he wrote scripts Also began working on his own novel, in English Also began working on his own novel, in English 1956 he was selected to go to London for training at the BBC – first trip outside Nigeria 1956 he was selected to go to London for training at the BBC – first trip outside Nigeria Brought manuscript with him, received feedback and offer for publishing, which he declined, saying manuscript needed more work Brought manuscript with him, received feedback and offer for publishing, which he declined, saying manuscript needed more work

The birth of Things Fall Apart 1958 had final copy of manuscript, which he sent to London: Things Fall Apart 1958 had final copy of manuscript, which he sent to London: Things Fall Apart –Name comes from poem by Yeats Initially rejected by several publishers who felt African fiction had no market base Initially rejected by several publishers who felt African fiction had no market base Finally printed in June, 1958; received very good reviews from British press Finally printed in June, 1958; received very good reviews from British press In Nigeria, could not believe one of their students had written a meaningful novel In Nigeria, could not believe one of their students had written a meaningful novel

Nigerian Independence Achebe went on to write another novel, No Longer at Ease, which follows the grandson of Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, set as Nigeria becomes independent Achebe went on to write another novel, No Longer at Ease, which follows the grandson of Okonkwo, the protagonist of Things Fall Apart, set as Nigeria becomes independent Was director of NBS as Nigeria became independent Was director of NBS as Nigeria became independent

Achebe: Voice of African writers Achebe began to play a role in advancing other African literature Achebe began to play a role in advancing other African literature Became General Editor for African Writers Series at Heinemann Became General Editor for African Writers Series at Heinemann Achebe published two more novels, both touching on the effect of colonization on traditional African culture: Achebe published two more novels, both touching on the effect of colonization on traditional African culture: –Arrow of God, 1964 –A Man of the People, 1966

Civil War 1967, southeast region of Nigeria broke away – where Achebe was born 1967, southeast region of Nigeria broke away – where Achebe was born Set up Republic of Biafra Set up Republic of Biafra

Achebe and Biafra Relations between Nigeria and Biafra strained Relations between Nigeria and Biafra strained Achebe’s house was bombed, family forced to flee violence Achebe’s house was bombed, family forced to flee violence Achebe served as an ambassador Achebe served as an ambassador Criticized Britain for backing Nigeria during conflict, stating Nigerian government was the same as the colonial, only now black Criticized Britain for backing Nigeria during conflict, stating Nigerian government was the same as the colonial, only now black –Still oppressing the people and enabling white forces to be in power Biafran bid for independence ended in 1970 when the Biafran military surrendered

Life as a scholar Achebe returned to writing Achebe returned to writing –Wrote controversial An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” Began teaching at the University of Nigeria in 1976 Began teaching at the University of Nigeria in , his fifth book, Anthills of the Savannah published 1987, his fifth book, Anthills of the Savannah published 1990, began teaching literature and writing at Bard College in New York 1990, began teaching literature and writing at Bard College in New York In Fall 2009, took a position at Brown University, where he is today In Fall 2009, took a position at Brown University, where he is today More than 8 million copies of TFA sold to date More than 8 million copies of TFA sold to date