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Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

A Routledge Study Guide

By David Whittaker, Mpalive-Hangson Msiska

Published November 6th 2007 by Routledge – 146 pages

Series: Routledge Guides to Literature

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Description

Offering an insight into African culture that had not been portrayed before, Things Fall Apart is both a tragic and moving story of an individual set in the wider context of the coming of colonialism, as well as a powerful and complex political statement of cross-cultural encounters.

This guide to Chinua Achebe’s compelling novel offers:

  • an accessible introduction to the text and contexts of Things Fall Apart
  • a critical history, surveying the many interpretations of the text from publication to the present
  • a selection of critical writing on Things Fall Apart, by Abiola Irele, Abdul JanMohamed, Biodun Jeyifo, Florence Stratton and Ato Quayson, providing a variety of perspectives on the novel and extending the coverage of key critical approaches identified in the survey section
  • cross-references between sections of the guide, in order to suggest links between texts, contexts and criticism
  • suggestions for further reading.

Part of the Routledge Guides to Literature series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of Things Fall Apart and seeking not only a guide to the novel, but a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds Achebe’s text.

Contents

Introduction 1. Texts and Contexts 2. Critical History 3. Critical Readings 4. Further Reading and Web Resources Notes on Contributors Bibliography Index

Author Bio

Dr David Whittaker is a Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London. His research interests are in the areas of Nigerian and African literature and in the field of postcolonial studies and he has published a number of articles in journals and anthologies.

Dr Mpalive-Hangson Msiska is a Senior Lecturer in English and Humanities at Birkbeck College, University of London. He has published many books, journal articles and conference papers on postcolonial literature, critical and cultural theory and identity.