A Very Bold Man

One of the most outspoken and controversial African writers of all time would definitely be Chinua Achebe.  After reading many of his literary works, I am in love with his writing style and love the passion he has for what he believes in. Many of Achebe's most popular works discuss the idea of colonization of Africa by the Europeans and the destruction it has caused.  Furthermore, he evaluates how colonization not only effects Africa physically, and emotionally, but also mentally.  Achebe criticizes colonialism in two of his most powerful works "An Image of Africa", and "Girls at War".

First, "An Image of Africa" discusses Achebe's personal feelings about Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness and he challenges the fact that it is considered great Western literature.  Conrad's Heart of Darkness inadequately represents Africa in the time that it was written.  Conrad refers to Africa and the African people as pre-historic and that Europeans are far more superior.  Achebe argues that this novel is very misleading and it is not an inaccurate portrayal of Africa because he makes it seem as if Africans are so unintelligent when Africans are actually very rich in culture, very efficient, and are even great artists, sculptors, writers, etc.  The novel questions the humanity of black people and Achebe states, "a novel which celebrates this dehumanization, which depersonalizes a portion of the human race, can be called a great work of art." Achebe goes on to call Conrad a "bloody racist".  How can a novel that is so racist and not even recognize an entire human race be considered a great work of art?  Personally, I find myself absolutely agreeing with Achebe.  Conrad's novel cannot be considered a great work of art when it dehumanizes an entire race.  Just because it's not European doesn't make it to not right, real, or legitimate.

Secondly, Achebe's "Girls at War" discusses the issues of war and violence caused by colonization.  The  short story evaluates one women named Gladys.  Gladys appears in the story as three versions:  an idealist, a business woman, and a revolutionary.  Each "version" of Gladys is the presence of the Ministry of Justice of the country, who she befriends.  First, as an idealist, Gladys runs into the Nwankwo, the Ministry of Justice, at a checkpoint where she requires him to stop in order to check his car for any types of weapons.  Nwankwo appears to be very irritated because why should he have to be stopped if he is in the Ministry of Justice?  However, Gladys, as an idealist, still requires him to stop.  Secondly, Gladys appears in the story as a business woman because she sells things under the table in order to make money in her war-torn country.  She also receives help from Nwankwo and a place to stay, but she repays him with sexual favors.  The sole purpose of Nwankwo and Gladys's relationship is because Nwankwo had access to resources since he was apart of the government that Gladys didn't have.  Lastly, Gladys is revolutionary because she tries to help a wounded solider, however she ends up dying because of a bomb. 

This short story is ironic because sometimes bad things happen for good reasons and good things happen for bad reasons.  For example, the death of Gladys is tragic, but maybe the author chose for her to die in order for her pain and suffering to end since she was doing all she could in order to survive.  Gladys, however, also poorly represented women since she was sleeping around with Nwankwo only because she wanted access to resources not because of pleasure or desire.  With that being said, the theme of this short story is that one will do whatever they can in a time of crisis.  When thing are going bad, you have to look out for yourself, and yourself only.  You can't be generous.  I tend to think of the "every man for himself" idea.  Morally, you want to be able to help every one out and if you can't then you should suffer with every one, but rationally, that's not the case when you're trying to just survive.

If I was put in Gladys's position, I would have acted and behaved in the same manner that she did.  I can't imagine putting myself in the middle of a war-torn country and trying to survive on my own.  Honestly, when times are rough, you have to do what you have to do in order to survive, and that's exactly what she did.  I feel for Gladys and support her decisions within the story.