The postcolonial problems presented in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Antilles of Savanna’

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the postcolonial problems presented in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Antilles of Savanna’. A selected book of the ‘Antilles of Savanna', which is written by prominent African author Chinua Achebe, was used as an oeuvre for the study. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the major themes of the literary work ‘Antilles of Savanna’. The specific objectives are to identify the major themes raised and to examine the postcolonial problems presented in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Antilles of Savanna’. This study was collected from print documents. Thematic and contextual analysis employed a theoretical framework for analysis. The results of the study delineate the problems inflicting newly independent African states. The prevailing theme and the major problem in this novel are the corrupt dictatorial setup of Kangan. The theme in the work is 'overcoming the history of suffering ‘through the inculcation of a strong sense of community among the people. Finally, the study also clearly shows the postcolonial problems presented in the Anthills of the Savannah: nationalism, discriminating attitudes towards women, amalgamation of indigenous cultures, opposition to African indigenous cultures, and leaders influenced by colonizers.