THE NOVELIST AS A TEACHER

                THE NOVELIST AS A TEACHER: BY CHINUA ACHEBE

                          A SUMMARY BY NWANI UCHENNA WILLIAMS

        'The novelist as a teacher' as expounded by Chinua Achebe harnessed critically on the need for African writers to come to the fore front, acting as teachers, educators, and intellectuals to assume the task of re-educating and revitalizing the African personality and consciousness in the minds of the African society. Because of the influence our encounter with the Europeans has had on many Africans, the feeling of “racial inferiority” as noted by Achebe has enveloped the majority of Africans and still lingers.

       However, to where and what extent have the African writers directed their writing blows? Sadly though, many writers have paid more attention to the Europeans and American readers than to the services they ought to render to the psyche of the African society. Gladly still, some still recognize their task as African writers in educating and inculcating in the minds of African society, stressing the need, benefits, and reasons for us to accept wholeheartedly who we are (Africans), and what we have (excellent wisdom), which makes us unique.

     Furthermore, in 2012, because Achebe gave central focus to the Nigerian plight, showed why we should accept, appreciate, and remain stabilized for who we are; a huge sale of “things fall apart” in the cheap paperback edition was attained particularly in Nigeria and across frontiers.

     Moreover, it is pertinent to draw reference to the boy in the English class who instead of writing about the harmattan, rather wrote about the winter, giving the reason that, had he written about the former, other boys would call him a ‘bushman’ for doing so. This experience shows that we have not fully snapped back from the awful effects of our earlier confrontation with Europe. Why should the young pupil feel ashamed of his African weather? It’s quite appalling. Ibidem, there is actually nothing discreditable of his home weather. So then, what role/services does the African writers/novelist have to play to the clarion call by Chinua Achebe in his essay?

     Our African writers, novelist as teachers are enjoined and encouraged to remember that they are Teachers, Educationists, and anchor; and should serve as vanguards, frontlines, to inculcate and enlighten the Africans about their personality, cultural heritage, democracy and negritude. They should pay more attention to the African audience than to the Europeans in their writings.

     If only the African writers/novelist will acknowledge and live up to their services, functions, and contributions to the African society, the difference will be evident.