Introduction: “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe
“Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe first appeared in 1994 in the Times Literary Supplement. This insightful interview showcases Achebe’s unwavering commitment to social justice and his critique of Western narratives about Africa. Achebe’s articulate and passionate responses provide valuable insights into his literary philosophy, highlighting the importance of African literature in challenging colonial stereotypes and empowering African voices. His interview serves as a significant contribution to the field of literary theory, particularly in discussions of postcolonialism, cultural identity, and the power of language to shape perceptions.
Summary of “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe
- On the Role of Teachers and Writers: Achebe discusses the importance of organization among teachers and writers. He emphasizes that having a collective platform strengthens their influence, especially in confronting authorities. He reflects on his efforts in founding the Association of Nigerian Authors to create such a collective voice.
“It is necessary to have the power of a group.” (Achebe) - Political Corruption and Leadership in Nigeria: Achebe is deeply critical of the Nigerian government, particularly its complicity in corruption. He recounts how he rejected a national honor as a protest against the corruption permeating Nigeria, citing President Obasanjo’s failure to address these issues.
“I turned it down because I was not pleased, I was not happy with the way things are going… corrupt bandits.” (Achebe) - Academic Freedom and the Struggles in Nigerian Universities: Achebe speaks about the challenges facing academic freedom in Nigeria, exacerbated by poverty, unpaid salaries, and frequent strikes. The declining state of education, according to Achebe, makes it difficult for faculty to speak truth to power.
“There is some, but not enough… we can’t really talk about academic freedom.” (Achebe) - Nigerian Intellectual Exodus: Many Nigerian intellectuals are leaving the country due to harsh living and working conditions. Achebe points out that poor salaries and insecurity drive this exodus, limiting the nation’s intellectual progress.
“Far more people have given up on change and are trying to leave the country.” (Achebe) - Reflection on Colonialism and its Impact on Education: Achebe contrasts the state of education under British colonial rule with today’s Nigeria, arguing that though colonialism had negative impacts, the education system then was better than now.
“It’s like night and day… Day is my time, and night is now.” (Achebe) - On Writing and Cultural Influence: Achebe reflects on his journey as a writer, particularly the influence of Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming” on Things Fall Apart. He comments on how the novel addresses universal human experiences and struggles, which resonate globally, including with people fighting colonialism in other contexts.
“Yeats’s poem struck me… on the widening gyre of human history and the ever-present possibility of catastrophic encounters.” (Achebe) - On Democracy and External Influence: Achebe discusses the challenges of democracy, suggesting that every society must determine its political path. While external influences, such as imperialism, shape societies, it is ultimately up to the people to decide their own future.
“In the end… you alone have to put it all together.” (Achebe) - Cultural Exchange in American Higher Education: Achebe observes that American students are curious and open to international perspectives, but notes that Nigerian students tend to be more serious about their studies due to their challenging conditions.
“Students in Nigeria are far more serious about being students… the students here have a lot.” (Achebe) - Achebe as a Political Writer:Achebe identifies himself as a political writer, though not in the sense of being a politician. He believes politics is central to life and critiques how, in the West, politics is often downplayed due to the manipulation of power by authorities.
“I think politics are at the very root of what life is.” (Achebe)
Literary Terms/Concepts in “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe
| Literary Term/Concept | Description | Context in the Interview |
| Metaphor | A figure of speech where one thing is used to represent something else. | Achebe uses the “emperor” as a metaphor for authority and power, both in Nigeria and the U.S. “The emperor is very, very clever and doesn’t often show his true colors.” |
| Colonialism | The practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country and exploiting it. | Achebe reflects on colonialism’s destructive impact on Nigerian society and how it shaped his writing, especially in Things Fall Apart. |
| Tragedy | A dramatic genre that typically involves human suffering and often ends in disaster. | Achebe compares Okonkwo’s fate in Things Fall Apart to a tragic fall due to personal flaws and societal forces. “He had his faults. He contributed to his own undoing.” |
| Autobiographical Elements | Aspects of a writer’s own life that are reflected in their literary work. | Although Achebe denies Okonkwo is autobiographical, the novel reflects his own experiences with colonialism and the clash of cultures. |
| Political Writing | Writing that engages with political issues or themes. | Achebe sees himself as a political writer, concerned with the state of Nigeria and its leadership. “I think politics are at the very root of what life is.” |
| Intertextuality | The relationship between texts, how one text references or influences another. | Achebe draws inspiration from Yeats’ The Second Coming for the title and themes of Things Fall Apart. |
| Symbolism | The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. | The “falling house” metaphor is used to symbolize the collapse of Nigeria’s social, economic, and political systems. “When you are told that the house has fallen…” |
| Irony | A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite of what is stated. | Achebe mentions the irony of colonialism bringing education to Nigeria, but today’s education system is worse than under colonial rule. “It’s like night and day.” |
| Cultural Imperialism | The imposition of one culture over another, often associated with political or economic power. | Achebe comments on America’s cultural dominance globally and draws parallels to British colonialism in Nigeria. “MeWorld eventually triumphs over jihad.” |
| Characterization | The process by which an author reveals a character’s personality and development. | Achebe discusses the character of Okonkwo, not as a perfect man but one with flaws that contribute to his downfall. “The good man does not necessarily always succeed.” |
| Universal Themes | Themes that are common across different cultures and time periods. | Achebe reflects on how Things Fall Apart resonates with universal experiences, such as resistance to oppression and the consequences of societal change. |
| Historical Context | The social, political, and cultural conditions during the time a work is set or written. | Achebe’s writing is deeply rooted in the historical context of colonial and post-colonial Nigeria, shaping his views on leadership and democracy. |
| Post-Colonial Literature | Literature written in response to the effects of colonialism on cultures and societies. | Achebe’s works, including Things Fall Apart, are seminal in post-colonial literature, addressing the clash between indigenous cultures and colonial powers. |
| Fiction vs. Reality | The blending of fictional narrative with real-world events and experiences. | Achebe frequently merges his life experiences with his fictional works, such as using the Nigerian civil war as a backdrop for his short stories. |
| Bildungsroman | A coming-of-age story that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of a protagonist. | Although Achebe doesn’t explicitly write a bildungsroman, the theme of personal and societal transformation is central to his discussions about education and leadership in Nigeria. |
| Allegory | A narrative in which characters or events represent broader ideas or themes. | Okonkwo’s struggles in Things Fall Apart can be seen as allegorical of the struggle between traditional societies and colonial forces. |
Contribution of “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe to Literary Theory/Theories
- Post-Colonial Theory: Challenging Colonial Narratives: Achebe’s reflections in the interview contribute significantly to post-colonial theory by highlighting the lasting effects of colonialism on African societies and literature. He discusses how colonialism disrupted traditional societies and imposed foreign values, which became a core theme in his literary work.
“Colonialism brought Christianity, the military, and trade. It breaks up society, creates strangers among people in the same village.” (Achebe) - Cultural Identity and Representation: Achebe’s interview supports the post-colonial theoretical emphasis on cultural identity and representation. By rejecting the imposed Western narratives, Achebe’s works aim to reclaim the African story from a native perspective. He emphasizes the importance of African writers defining their own narratives rather than being subjected to Western interpretations.
“I had a burning sensation to tell this story, but I did not know its shape or form… My teachers could teach me about Dickens and Hardy, not how to write an African novel.” (Achebe) - Hybridity in Post-Colonial Discourse: Achebe touches on the concept of cultural hybridity, a key tenet of post-colonial theory, through his own life experiences and in his novels. He navigates the intersection of traditional African values and Western influences, showing how these cultural forces often collide and create complex identities.
“I often wonder why someone would reject the religion of his ancestors for some brand-new one. It seems like the act of traitors… there is something my parents’ generation saw that my generation cannot really appreciate.” (Achebe) - Tragedy and the Post-Colonial Subject: Achebe’s exploration of the tragic downfall of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart provides insights into the post-colonial subject’s psychological and cultural struggles. The novel reflects the tensions between personal agency and external forces such as colonialism, which are central themes in post-colonial theory.
“The ‘good man’ does not necessarily always succeed… He had his faults. He contributed to his own undoing.” (Achebe) - The Role of Power and Resistance: Achebe’s critique of political power in both Nigeria and the West aligns with the Marxist literary framework, which examines how power structures influence society and culture. Achebe shows how oppressive regimes, whether colonial or post-colonial, suppress intellectual and creative freedom, echoing Marxist concerns about power, class, and resistance.
“What can be said that everybody doesn’t already know?… The collapse of the economy, the hunger, and the violence today make it difficult for someone in the country to speak truth to power.” (Achebe) - Universalism vs. Cultural Relativism: Achebe’s discussion of the universality of certain themes in literature, alongside his insistence on the importance of local context and cultural specificity, adds to the debates in literary theory between universalism and cultural relativism. He underscores the need for literature to reflect specific cultural realities while still resonating with universal human experiences.
“The students learn that there is another world somewhere… real people, not funny people but good people with ambition.” (Achebe) - Orality and African Literary Tradition: Achebe’s contribution to literary theory also includes the importance of African oral traditions in shaping written African literature. He incorporates elements of storytelling, folklore, and proverbs into his work, advocating for the preservation of African oral culture in the face of Western literary forms.
“The image that always comes to my mind is the proverb I have in my language… We are talking about a calamity.” (Achebe) - Literary Resistance to Imperialism: Achebe’s focus on resisting cultural imperialism contributes to the broader field of post-colonial literary theory, which advocates for the decolonization of the mind and intellectual spaces. His refusal to write about America, as he mentions in the interview, is an act of resistance to the global dominance of Western narratives.
“I say no—I’m not going to [write a book about America], because there are so many people writing books about America, whereas other parts of the world have no one attending to their problems.” (Achebe)
Examples of Critiques Through “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe
| Literary Work | Critique Through Themes in Achebe’s Interview | Relevant Quotation/Theme from Achebe’s Interview |
| Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Critique centers on the destructive impact of colonialism and the clash between traditional African culture and Western influences. Achebe’s emphasis on cultural identity and post-colonial hybridity is central to understanding the novel’s representation of societal breakdown and individual tragedy. | “Colonialism brought Christianity, the military, and trade. It breaks up society, creates strangers among people in the same village.” |
| Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad | Achebe critiques Heart of Darkness for its dehumanizing portrayal of Africans and its colonial mindset. His post-colonial critique emphasizes that Western literature often marginalizes African voices, a theme discussed in the interview regarding the importance of African authors telling their own stories. | “I had a burning sensation to tell this story… My teachers could teach me about Dickens and Hardy, not how to write an African novel.” |
| The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats | Achebe’s use of Yeats’ poem to inspire the title and themes of Things Fall Apart offers a critique of the cyclical nature of human history and the constant threat of societal collapse. The widening gyre reflects the destabilization of traditional societies by external forces like colonialism. | “Yeats’s poem struck me… It was a very deep and profound meditation on the widening gyre of human history and the ever-present possibility of catastrophic encounters.” |
| The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon | Achebe’s critique of power dynamics and colonial oppression in the interview resonates with Fanon’s analysis of the psychological and social impacts of colonialism. Both authors address the importance of resisting external forces and reclaiming cultural identity in post-colonial contexts. | “The collapse of the economy, the hunger, and the violence today make it difficult for someone in the country to speak truth to power.” |
Criticism Against “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe
- Limited Focus on Gender and Feminism: Achebe’s interview does not deeply explore issues of gender or feminism, which are important components of post-colonial discourse. His works, though addressing universal human struggles, have been critiqued for not giving enough attention to the role of women in resisting colonialism and oppression.
- Romanticization of Pre-Colonial Africa: Achebe’s reflections on colonialism, particularly the notion of the destructive force it brought upon Nigeria, can be seen as overly romanticizing pre-colonial African societies. Critics may argue that his portrayal downplays the complexity and internal conflicts within these societies before colonial intervention.
- Overemphasis on National Politics and Corruption: While Achebe’s critique of corruption in Nigeria is insightful, some might criticize the interview for focusing too heavily on political failures, without offering concrete solutions or sufficient discussion on how Nigerian intellectuals and artists could counteract these issues through activism and cultural production.
- Absence of Detailed Discussion on Globalization: Though Achebe briefly mentions American cultural imperialism, the interview lacks a comprehensive critique of globalization’s impact on African nations. Critics may argue that Achebe could have provided more insights into how global economic and cultural forces are shaping modern African identities and societies.
- Narrow Lens on Education: Achebe’s reflections on the decline of education in Nigeria may be critiqued for not fully exploring alternative educational models or reforms. The interview discusses the failures of the current system, but critics may feel that it lacks a visionary approach to how education can be improved in the post-colonial context.
Representative Quotations from “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe with Explanation
| Quotation | Explanation |
| “It is necessary to have the power of a group.” | Achebe highlights the importance of collective action and organization, whether among writers, teachers, or citizens, to effectively challenge authority and advocate for change. |
| “Colonialism brought Christianity, the military, and trade. It breaks up society.” | This quote emphasizes Achebe’s view on the destructive impact of colonialism, which disrupts traditional structures and imposes foreign values, a central theme in his works like Things Fall Apart. |
| “The emperor is very, very clever and doesn’t often show his true colors, but his authority is manifest.” | Achebe uses the metaphor of the “emperor” to describe power and authority, both in Nigeria and globally. It reflects his views on how power can be concealed yet omnipresent. |
| “The ‘good man’ does not necessarily always succeed.” | This reflects Achebe’s exploration of tragedy in his works, particularly Things Fall Apart, where the protagonist Okonkwo faces downfall despite his efforts, pointing to the complex nature of fate. |
| “I had a burning sensation to tell this story, but I did not know its shape or form.” | Achebe describes his journey as a writer, expressing the internal drive to tell the African story from a native perspective, which became a defining feature of his literary contributions. |
| “It is because of the country, the government, of the collapse of so many things.” | Achebe speaks about the state of Nigeria’s decline, attributing the failures in education and other sectors to government corruption and mismanagement, which are recurrent themes in his critique. |
| “I turned it down because I was not pleased with the way things are going in Nigeria.” | Achebe explains his rejection of a national honor, symbolizing his protest against corruption and misrule in Nigeria, reinforcing his commitment to speaking truth to power. |
| “There is another world somewhere… not funny people but good people with ambition.” | Achebe emphasizes the need for students, especially in the West, to recognize and understand cultures beyond their own, advocating for cross-cultural awareness and empathy. |
| “We teach what we know, and the rest is up to you.” | This quote reflects Achebe’s belief in education’s limitations and the responsibility of students to actively seek truth and knowledge beyond formal instruction. |
| “Every people should decide for themselves what political system they need.” | Achebe supports the idea of self-determination, arguing that each society must choose its own path to democracy or governance rather than adopting imposed systems, a key post-colonial principle. |
Suggested Readings: “Speaking Truth to Power”: An Interview with Chinua Achebe
- Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books, 1994.
- Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 1963.
https://www.groveatlantic.com/book/the-wretched-of-the-earth/ - Innes, C. L. Chinua Achebe. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/chinua-achebe/ - Ogude, James. “Achebe’s Vision of Politics in Nigeria.” Research in African Literatures, vol. 24, no. 3, 1993, pp. 35-47.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3820303 - Gikandi, Simon. “Chinua Achebe and the Invention of African Culture.” Research in African Literatures, vol. 32, no. 3, 2001, pp. 3-8.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3820581 - Lindfors, Bernth, editor. Conversations with Chinua Achebe. University Press of Mississippi, 1997.
https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/Conversations-with-Chinua-Achebe - Said, Edward W. Culture and Imperialism. Knopf, 1993.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/161779/culture-and-imperialism-by-edward-w-said/ - Wright, Derek. Chinua Achebe’s Fiction: A Reader’s Guide. Bayreuth University, 1991.
https://www.worldcat.org/title/chinua-achebes-fiction-a-readers-guide/oclc/34669880 - Achebe, Chinua. “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.” The Massachusetts Review, vol. 18, no. 4, 1977, pp. 782-794.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/25088813 - “Chinua Achebe Foundation.” The Chinua Achebe Foundation, 2013.
http://chinuaachebefoundation.org