Anthills of the Savannah

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   reidalot Teacher
   College - Freshman

   Achebe is considered the foremost Nigerian author of our time. This work is one of postcolonial literature, implying by its genre that Achebe will make us, the reader, take responsibilty for our role in the colonial structure. This structure is at the root of the African dilemma, the oppression of the people, yet paradoxically, the people's expectation of oppression. An example of this paradox involves Ikem, a government official,who is puzzled by the visit of the taxi drivers. On one hand, they praise him for driving his own Datsun and not having a chauffeur, yet they imply that he has taken a job away from a driver. Not only that, but they could not recognize him as a 'man of importance' outside of a Mercedes. Thus, the oppressed aid in continuing the cycle.This novel explores how everyman must take responsibility for oppression in order change a corrupt political system.

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   Posted by reidalot on Monday May 26, 2008 at 11:59 AM
   
   

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