In this unit, we will explore Chinua Achebe, who is often called the “Father of modern African Literature.” Best known for his novelThings Fall Apart,which was the first major literary work to portray...

In this unit, we will explore Chinua Achebe, who is often called the “Father of modern African Literature.” Best known for his novelThings Fall Apart,which was the first major literary work to portray the colonization of Africa from a black African perspective. The novel’s protagonist, Okonkwo, is a tragic hero who is brought down by the scourge of colonialism. Achebe wrote his novel, in part, to challenge depictions of Africa by white writers like Joseph Conrad. Achebe also inspired later African writers, like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Indeed, Adichie’s story “The Headstrong Historian” provides an additional perspective on the events Achebe depicts in his famous novel. By looking at these two works together, we gain a better understanding of both postcolonial African literature and the complexity of literary influence.


Whose perspective does Adichie include in her short story? Consider why Adichie feels that “We should all be feminists” and determine if she has maintained Achebe’s original point in her short story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3umXU_qWc