1. Biography Major Works African American Literature Stella Kim Deborah Kim English 9F April 23 2009

2. Biography Albert Chin ụ al ụ m ọ g ụ Achebe Born 16 November, 1930 in Nneobi, Nigeria Raised by Christian parents in the Igbo village of Ogidi Excelled at school, winning a scholarship for undergraduate students Fascinated by world religions and traditional African culture

3. Early Life Achebe’s parents incorporated both traditional culture and Christian influence to their lives Moved to ancestral village (Ogidi) of Achebe’s father Storytelling was an integral tradition of the Igbo tradition Educated by father using almanacs and numerous amount of books

4. Education In 1936,enters St Phillips Central School Attended Sunday school every week Includes a scene in Things Fall Apart about an incident of apostates from the new church challenging the catechist about the tenets of Christianity Middle school: Achebe gained an appreciation for Mbari, an art form which seeks gods' protection High school: Accepted to two most prestigious schools Learned to use english Doubled up his first year, and spent four years instead of five

5. Education in University Attended the first University in Nigeria (University Collage) Obtained such high marks on the entrance examine that he was admitted as a Major Scholar to study Medicine Decided science was not suited for him and changed his major to English, History, and Theology Began to write, starting with articles in school newspaper and short stories which incorporated African culture Learned comparative religion from a new professor Began to explore the fields of Christian history and African traditional religions Began to become critical about European literature after reading Joyce Cary’s Mister Johnson

6. Major Works First novel to be published was Things Fall Apart which took much effort to publish Publishers thought fiction from African writers had no market potential Once published, received mixed reviews Some mocked his work, however majority thought that the novel created vivid pictures of Nigeria ( “…plot and characters are little more than symbols representing a way of life lost irrevocably within living memory.” Black Orpheus Magazine ) and he became most translated African write Second novel to be published was No Longer at Ease About a civil servant (Okonkwo’s grandson) who is embroiled in the corruption of Lagos Described modern life in Nigeria

7. Minor Works Achebe also wrote several children’s books Chike and the River, (1966) How the Leopard Got His Claws (with John Iroaganachi), (1972) The Flute, (1975) The Drum, (1978) Created “Voice of Nigeria” network as he was promoted to position of Director of External Broadcasting at NBS (Nigeria Broadcasting System) Published his third book Arrow of God, A Man of the People and more.

8. Awards AWARD RECIEVEDYEAR Commonwealth Poetry Prize1974 Afro-Asian Writers Association’s Lotus Award1975 Royal Society of Literature, London1981 American Academy of Arts and Letters1983 Campion Medal1996 German Booksellers Peace Prize2002 American Academy of Arts and Sciences2002

9. Quote Analysis " We have heard stories about white men who made the powerful guns and the strong drinks and took slaves away across the seas, but no one thought the stories were true.”- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, Ch. 15 Things Fall Apart is written from a Nigerian’s point of view, giving a clear visual of what it was like for Africans not Europeans Achebe’s books allowed people in Europe (and the world) to understand that Africans had feelings, traditions, and were hurt by European behaviors of non humanity

10. Quote Analysis II “People go to Africa and confirm what they already have in their heads and so they fail to see what is there in front of them. This is what people have come to expect. It's not viewed as a serious continent. It's a place of strange, bizarre and illogical things, where people don't do what common sense demands.” -Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart He described how imposed Western values led to social and psychological disorientation of traditional African society 'Things Fall Apart'

11. Discussion Questions Achebe was well educated compared to what Europeans thought the condition of education in Africa was. What is your definition of education? How did education effect Achebe’s writings? What would Africa-American literature be like if Achebe did not write/publish Things Fall Apart? How do you think white people responded to the book? (Feelings, change in thoughts, etc.)

12. Bibliography "CHINUA ACHEBE." PHILWEB HOME. 22 Apr. 2009. "File:Nigeria linguistic 1979.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 22 Apr. 2009. "Chinua Achebe." Bard College. 22 Apr. 2009. "Chinua Achebe quotes." Find the famous quotes you need, ThinkExist.com Quotations.. 22 Apr. 2009.