Philosophy of Freedom and Human Destiny in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart; NO LONGER at EASE and ARROW of GOD.
ABSTRACT
This dissertation is an attempt to examine critically the complex nature of; and the ironies of human life wishes in human society.
It looks into the seeming absurdity, paradox and contradictions presented by the reality of both determinism and freewill; freedom and destiny of man in his real world with a relational approach.
In proffering solution to this paradox as it was made manifest in the lives of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart, Obi in No Longer at Ease and Ezeulu in Arrow of God, this study showed that man is actively involved in the shaping of his/her life and that life is dynamic; culture is borrowed and shared.
It argues that the dynamism of life demands wisdom to cope with it and that only positive and rational adjustment can sustain human destiny/achievements in the reality of cultural dynamisms.
Man as an interactive being and a being of influence is subject to change; however, changes should be from lower to higher values.
Therefore, it concluded that human freedom and destiny work together as complements not contraries towards the realization of man in his society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgment – – – – – – – – – iv
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – v
Table of Contents – – – – – – – – – vi
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION – – – – – 1
1.1 Background of the Study – – – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem – – – – – – – 5
1.3 Thesis statement – – – – – – – – 6
1.4 Purpose of the Study – – – – – – – 6
1.5 Scope of the Study – – – – – – – – 6
1.6 Significance of the Study – – – – – – – 7
1.7 Methodology – – – – – – – – – 7
1.8 Explication of Terms: Destiny and Freedom – – – – 8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – 11
CHAPTER THREE: EXPOSITION OF THE NOTION OF FREEDOM AND HUMAN DESTINY IN ACHEBE’S NOVELS – – – 29
3.1 Igbo World-View – – – – – – – – 29
3.2 Freedom and Destiny in Okonkwo Things Fall Apart – – – 31
3.2.1 Okonkwo’s Life and Fame – – – – – – 31
3.2.2 Okonkwo’s Flaws – – – – – – – – 32
3.3 Freedom and Destiny in Obi Okonkwo No Longer at Ease – – 36
3.3.1 Obi’s Intelligence and Scholarships Awards – – – – 36
3.3.2 Obi’s Theory of How to End Corruption in Nigeria Civil Service – 38
3.3.3 Obi’s Failed Marriage with Clara, His Bribery Episodes and Jail – 40
3.4 Freedom and Destiny in Ezeulu Arrow of God – – – – 46
3.4.1 Ezeulu’s Priestly Duties and Powers – – – – – 46
3.4.2 Division in Umuaro over a Land Case with Okperi – – – 48
3.4.3 Ezeulu’s Rejection of Warrant Chief, Crisis of the New Yam Feast and Conversion of Umuaro People – – – – 49
CHAPTER FOUR: EVALUATION OF HUMAN FREEDOM AND DESTINY IN IGBO PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE – – – 58
4.1 Igbo Ontology verses Human Freedom and Destiny – – – 58
4.2 Culture and Identity Crisis – – – – – – – 62
4.3 Deities and Human Creation in Igbo world – – – – 65
4.4 Igbo culture and the culture of Right-Questioning – – – 66
4.5 Law; Destiny and Freedom – – – – – – – 70
4.6 The Relationship between Freedom and Destiny – – – 74
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION – – – 80
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – – 80
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 83
BIBLIOGRAPHY – – – – – – – – 85
INTRODUCTION
The question of the reality of human freedom and human destiny as both drawing from Chukwu or Chineke (God or God the creator) who is also called Ezechitoke – ‘the provident king that apportions lots’ – which is one of the names with which God is addressed in Igbo Obollo dialect, is one of the most fundamental questions of philosophy and a central question in both metaphysics and existentialism.
Man is a creature of Chineke; freedom and destiny are Chukwu’s products not man. It is generally believed and accepted that all things derive their existence from God, and so by an original plan proceed from Him and also strive back towards Him.
However, unlike other creatures, human beings have reason and they exercise religion. Man knows Chukwu as his origin and goal; his beginning and end and he is fully aware of his inseparable relationship with Him who has released him (man) into the universe.
But as a rational being, freedom is man’s highest inalienable quality and right. Man deliberates and takes decision as to what affects his life on earth.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Akwanya, Amechi. “Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease – The Question of Failed Expectations” in Okike Journal Net retrieved on 23/3/2015. http://www.academia.edu/5395838/chinua achebe.
Asouzu, Innocent I. The Method and Principles of Complementary Reflection in and beyond African Philosophy. 2004.
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, ed. Mortimer Adler. London: Great Books, 1948.
Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theological II, part I of Second Part.
Broad, C.D “Kant: An Introduction,” C. Levy ed. London: Cambridge University Press, 1978.
Birch, Charles. “Chance, Purpose and Darwinism” The Philosophy of Charles Hartshorne. Lewis Edwin Hahn., ed. Southern Illinois: Library of Living Philosophers, 1991.
StudentsandScholarship Team.
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