Chinua Achebe is often called the “father of modern African Literature” for his novel Things Fall Apart. This 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.
Write a reflection essay based on the following prompt: In what ways might “The Headstrong Historian” be considered Things Fall Apart fan fiction? In what ways is Adichie’s story something more? What do the resonances with Things Fall Apart add to “The Headstrong Historian”? What do Adichie’s innovations add to the experience of reading Things Fall Apart?
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