THINGS RESTORED IN THE ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH: A POST-MODERNIST REVIEW OF ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART AND ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH

Abstract

Chinua Achebe’s writing stands for many things. Some believe he is a cultural and Political historian – simply documenting the effect of new ideologies and their effect on the body polity of his society. Others believe he is a vanguard of African culture and the definite hero who is credited with reviving the distorted image of the African as portrayed by the alien lenses of Western imperialism. What is not in doubt, however, is Achebe ingenious ability to capture the undercurrent of emotive issues at every stage of the growth of his society. This work lays emphasis on the portrayal of gender in his two books which have generated relatively more controversy in this subject. From a post-modernist posture, thestudy investigates Achebe’s purpose in his portrayal of women inThings Fall Apart; the emotive reactions this has generated; and how the author reconciles this fracture in Anthills of the Savannah. The method involves an analysis of primary texts, relevant library commentaries and internet resources. Findings reveal Achebe’s continued relevance as a universal and timeless writer; and with his sensitivity and empathy for his fellow man, as demonstrated in his writing, his works will stand the test of time as a pathfinder in the search for representative theories of African literatures.