Religion in the creative literary works of Chinua Achebe

Abstract

In this thesis it has been shown that the creative literary works of Chinua Achebe take seriously the problem of religion as an aspect of social life. Achebe has been influenced by both Igbo traditional religion and Christianity. His creative literary works, and probably those of other African writers could be useful resources in the study and practice of religion. Thus, the thesis establishes the existence of an interdisciplinary relationship between African creative literature and religious studies. The study is divided into SlX chapters and each one covers a specific topic. Chapter One introduces the subject of study, provides the rationale, objectives, theoretical framework and methodology. Chapter Two o surnrnarisesthe biography and works of Chinua Achebe which are selected to argue the possibility of using creative literary works in the study and practice of religion. Chapter Three provides brief background knowledge, geography, history and traditional religion of the Igbo people, within which the literary works of Achebe are set. Chapter Four examines some of the main religious themes in Achebe's works - Fate, Divine Justice, Conflicts~ Interdependence of the Gods and Society. ~ l' Chapter Five identifies some of the basic religious ideas 3 on which Achebe's novels are based - morality, justice, reincarnation and balance between materialism and spirituality. While Chapter Six contains the findings of the study and recommendations. In each of the chapters the research has determined critical attributes to the thesis. Chapter One: The objective of the study is stated - to examine the possibility of using creative African literary works as illustrative material in the study of African religions; It confirms that the subject of study is unique and that there has been no published work on it; the study is conducted within the theoretical framework of religious studies where religion is seen as a social institution which governs the beliefs and activities of its members; Using library research method it was possible to cover the subject adequately. ChapteD Two: Nine creative works of Chinua Achebe were selected for study - Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, No Longer At Ease, A Man of The People, Beware Soul Brother, Chike And the River, Girls At War, The Inside And Other Stories, and Morning Yet On Creation Day, specific attention is given to the major novels. The biographical background of Chinua Achebe reveals that he had been influenced by Christianity, traditional religion of the Igbo people, Western education, and changing circumstances. In summary, one finds that 4 his novels are mostly based on historical events, influence of missionary education, colonial domination, Igbo village life and civil war. Chapter Three: It gives a working definition of religion as a social institution which governs the beliefs and activities of its members by regulating the manner in which they relate to themselves as individuals, other people within or outside their community, their surroundings and the super-human powers, and/or deities. It establishes that Igbo traditional religion consists of Chief Functionaries, Divinities, Ancestors, Spirits, Religious Artefacts, POlytheism or Monotheism, Materialism based on Agriculture - which is a manifestation of God's blessings, and that external influences such as christianity, colonial rule have interrupted the Igbo peoples' beliefs on culture and traditional religion. o Chapter Four: Three religious themes are identified in the selected novels of Chinua Achebe: Fate - the predetermined course of events; Divine Justice - the distribution of rewards and punishment by God (Chukwu) or the lesser gods; Various forms of conflicts caused by differences in religious beliefs, and changes in circumstances e.g. the coming of the Europeans and Christian Missionaries. 5 Chapter Five: In this chapter some of the basic religious ideas in Chinua Achebe's works are clearly identified; Morality, Justice, reincarnation, and balance between materialism and spiritualism. In the selected novels, Achebe appears pre-occupied with these basic religious ideas. Chapter Six: It concludes that there 1S an interdisciplinary relationship between Creative African Literary Works and religion; and recommends that research be carried out on other African Writers' creative literary works to assess their contribution as illustrative materials in religious studies. Thus the study areas could be extended to examine possible interdisciplinary relation between religion and other disciplines, for example, Religion and History, Religion and Geography, Religion and Art, Religion and Psychology, Religion and Sociology, Religion and Mathematics or Sciences and so on.