Social realism as reflected in select novels of Chinua Achebe

Abstract

A study has been made into the social realism aspects in select novels of Chinua Achebe. The word ‘realism’ meant the presentation of the ordinary, the contemporary and the everyday reality of life. As opposed to idealism, realism presents things as they appeared in the natural without any colour or façade. The study of Chinua Achebe’s novels through the theory of social realism shows us the history of Nigeria from Pre-colonialism to the days of Neo-colonialism. Studying the novels in order of appearance takes one on a journey of how things happened from the past to the present. It has always been said that Literature righty hold a mirror to society and Chinua Achebe’s novels traces the history of the land step by step. Chinua Achebe’s first novel Things Fall Apart speaks of the closely knit society held close by religion, family, social and community ties. However through the novels, No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God , Man of the People and Anthills of Savannah the author showcases the changes that have taken place within the society and the reasons for the cause of change. One also sees how people began adopting to change and how the land gradually came into the possession of two or more culture-their own native culture and the culture and language of the powers of colonization