Note #26
While Ngugi’s extract was used to practice the annotation and structuring of a Paper 1, the content and theme of the article can also be used to inform a deeper appreciation of Things Fall Apart. In what ways does this text influence your understanding of Achebe’s use of language and stylistic choices in Things Fall Apart?
This text has enhanced my understanding of Things Fall Apart due to the multiple parallelisms shared between it and the latter.
In this extract from 'Decolonizing the Mind', Ngugi presents to the readers a descriptive exposition of the linguistic harmony that thrived in his community and its eventual disintegration after the onset of colonialism. This mirrors the fragmentation of Igbo society after the arrival of the missionaries. Ngugi's viewpoint is similar to that of Achebe's - they both build authentic perspectives based on their first-hand experiences, which allows a reader a more intimate insight into the culture in discussion.
Ngugi vividly depicts language as a form of art which manifested itself in all spheres of life in his community. Both Ngugi and Achebe use decorative language in order to capture the linguistic harmonies of their respective communities in their very essence. As Ngugi elegantly states, to his community, language was not a mere congregation of arbitrary sounds but rather an all encompassing fundamental element of his culture that was nestled at the conjunction of all spheres of life. Achebe has elevated the status of language to a similar level in Things Fall Apart. As apparent from the incorporation of proverbs, songs, folktales, untranslated words and other forms of orality inherent to the Igbo, it can be inferred that a similar degree of esteem was conferred upon language in Igbo society as the one Ngugi hailed from. The "magical power of language" mentioned by Ngugi is expanded upon by Achebe through his use of the aforementioned linguistic features in addition to the usage of periphrasis within the novel and a circumlocutory style of narration to represent Igbo mannerisms of orality. In this case, language can be thought of as an extension of their group identity, which was vapourised after the onset of colonialism. They had advanced systems of language in place, and by extension, societies with a complex system of functioning.
Unfortunately, this remarkably complex linguistic system and by large societal system that had developed in both communities dissolved after the colonialists had imposed their tyrannical ideologies about language and civilisation. This text strengthens my understanding of the evolution and gradual weakening of Igbo society which eventually led to its disintegration.
While Ngugi’s extract was used to practice the annotation and structuring of a Paper 1, the content and theme of the article can also be used to inform a deeper appreciation of Things Fall Apart. In what ways does this text influence your understanding of Achebe’s use of language and stylistic choices in Things Fall Apart?
This text has enhanced my understanding of Things Fall Apart due to the multiple parallelisms shared between it and the latter.
In this extract from 'Decolonizing the Mind', Ngugi presents to the readers a descriptive exposition of the linguistic harmony that thrived in his community and its eventual disintegration after the onset of colonialism. This mirrors the fragmentation of Igbo society after the arrival of the missionaries. Ngugi's viewpoint is similar to that of Achebe's - they both build authentic perspectives based on their first-hand experiences, which allows a reader a more intimate insight into the culture in discussion.
Ngugi vividly depicts language as a form of art which manifested itself in all spheres of life in his community. Both Ngugi and Achebe use decorative language in order to capture the linguistic harmonies of their respective communities in their very essence. As Ngugi elegantly states, to his community, language was not a mere congregation of arbitrary sounds but rather an all encompassing fundamental element of his culture that was nestled at the conjunction of all spheres of life. Achebe has elevated the status of language to a similar level in Things Fall Apart. As apparent from the incorporation of proverbs, songs, folktales, untranslated words and other forms of orality inherent to the Igbo, it can be inferred that a similar degree of esteem was conferred upon language in Igbo society as the one Ngugi hailed from. The "magical power of language" mentioned by Ngugi is expanded upon by Achebe through his use of the aforementioned linguistic features in addition to the usage of periphrasis within the novel and a circumlocutory style of narration to represent Igbo mannerisms of orality. In this case, language can be thought of as an extension of their group identity, which was vapourised after the onset of colonialism. They had advanced systems of language in place, and by extension, societies with a complex system of functioning.
Unfortunately, this remarkably complex linguistic system and by large societal system that had developed in both communities dissolved after the colonialists had imposed their tyrannical ideologies about language and civilisation. This text strengthens my understanding of the evolution and gradual weakening of Igbo society which eventually led to its disintegration.
Comments
Post a Comment