The Feminist Side of Chinua Achebe: A Re-Reading of Things Fall Apart

Of all the writings of Chinua Achebe or on a narrower sense of all his novels, Things Fall Apart (TFA) is the most read, the most acclaimed (having been translated into several languages of the world) and the most critiqued; yet the end to debates and counter-debates on the work is not in sight. Earlier discussions on TFA pointed out its tradito-cultural implications and then its feministic implicatures. Language and style, especially as they relate to the proverbial perspective of the novel, have received considerable attention. In some cases recent discourses have described Achebe as “high-handed” in the handling of his female characters as exemplified by Okonkwo whose role is crucial or central to the development of the story, and whose major actions in are propelled by his fear of being seen as a feminist or being described as a “woman-wrapper”, if we put it in typical Nigerian slang. Critics say Achebe’s female characters are generally subjugated, symbolic, and supportive. But in this paper, we argue that down in his heart Achebe is not a cruel man (TFA: 9). Rather his whole life has been dominated with a restless desire to see Africa in all her ramification represented and represented well. This paper therefore discusses the feministic side of Achebe; bearing in mind, the existing and evolving feministic discourse models. The theoretical frame on which the present discussion is underpinned can be assumed: a divergent one, to say the least; but such as accommodate the re-reading of TFA. Though Achebe is inexcusable in the matter of inequity as far as his female characters are concerned, the position of this paper is that in TFA, Achebe is not just a chronicler of trado-cultural artefacts but one who presents the woman as a “restraining force on male presumption and aggression” (Bicknell 271) thereby establishing a balance between the male and female. The fact that Achebe’s women in TFA do not say much, does not imply that they are “passive”; in most cases they act independently and radically too as they exert (considerable measure of) “control in their homes, community” and even in the life of their men". Take the case of Ekwefi, Okonkwo’s second wife, who damned the night and the curse by the Priestess as she “disappeared into the darkness” and followed the Priestess a long and weary journey traversing nine villages in one night; while the man Okonkwo, went for his snuff, made futile attempts to catch up with the trio. The distance covered by these two women, especially the Priestess doing the distance at great speed with a child on her back; does not portray a supportive role. This is more than a mythological or symbolic representation of the woman. It should be recalled that the purpose of the Priestess' visit to Okonkwo’s compound was to secure the life of Ezinma, whose health had been of great distress to her mother; this same female child whom Okonkwo had copiously wished had been a having been let down by his father Unoka and his first son, Nwoye.

Keywords: Feminism Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart

Authors

• Uwemedimo Iwoketok
  University of Jos, Nigeria
• Ima Usen Immanuel
  University of Uyo, Nigeria