POSTCOLONIAL THEMES IN CHINUA ACHEBE’S WORKS AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO MODERN SOCIETY

Abstract

Chinua Achebe’s literary corpus offers a profound exploration of postcolonial themes, rendering a nuanced critique of colonialism and its enduring effects on African societies. Through seminal works such as Things Fall Apart, A Man of the People, and Anthills of the Savannah, Achebe delves into the complexities of cultural identity, political corruption, and the dynamics of power. His narratives illuminate the multifaceted impacts of colonial encounters, emphasizing the resilience of indigenous cultures and the challenges of navigating postcolonial realities. Achebe's adept use of language and narrative structure not only challenges colonial discourses but also reclaims African voices, offering a counter-narrative to Western literary traditions. This paper examines the postcolonial themes in Achebe’s works and assesses their relevance to contemporary global issues, highlighting the continued significance of his insights in understanding and addressing the legacies of colonialism in modern society.