Eric Sipyinyu Njeng
Appropriating Writing in Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God
Číslo: 1/2018
Periodikum: Prague Journal of English Studies
Klíčová slova: Orality; writing; appropriation; postcoloniality; Achebe; Arrow of God
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Anotace:
is paper examines the appropriation of writing as an integral part of the colonial
encounter in Achebe’s Arrow of God (1964). Achebe’s hero (Ezeulu) realizes the
pitfalls of orality in the confrontation with Europeans who are equipped with writing
and its accompaniments. e coming of the West is therefore welcomed as Ezeulu quickly
sides with them to empower himself against the contending forces of a disintegrating
society. I argue that, as the Chief Priest of Ulu, Ezeulu is aware of the fl aws in the
oral nature of his religious pantheon and by sending his son Oduche to learn the art of
writing he appropriates the technology of writing in order to prevail against his enemies
and ineluctably allows his god’s surrender to the Christian God. is absorption into
a greater pantheon is facilitated through the appropriation of writing and the sacred
book.
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encounter in Achebe’s Arrow of God (1964). Achebe’s hero (Ezeulu) realizes the
pitfalls of orality in the confrontation with Europeans who are equipped with writing
and its accompaniments. e coming of the West is therefore welcomed as Ezeulu quickly
sides with them to empower himself against the contending forces of a disintegrating
society. I argue that, as the Chief Priest of Ulu, Ezeulu is aware of the fl aws in the
oral nature of his religious pantheon and by sending his son Oduche to learn the art of
writing he appropriates the technology of writing in order to prevail against his enemies
and ineluctably allows his god’s surrender to the Christian God. is absorption into
a greater pantheon is facilitated through the appropriation of writing and the sacred
book.