This document provides an analysis of different perspectives on colonialism in Africa presented in three novels: A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. It summarizes the key themes and portrayal of colonialism in each novel, with A Grain of Wheat focusing on the Mau Mau revolution in Kenya, Things Fall Apart depicting a civilized pre-colonial African society disrupted by colonization, and Heart of Darkness presenting Africans as primitive savages in the Congo. The document concludes that colonialism had long-lasting impacts on Africa both positively and negatively.

1. Name : Makwana Daksha D.
M.A { English }
Sem : 4 , roll no : 5
Enrollment no : 2069108420180034
Paper : 14 – The African Literature
Submitted to : Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English
MKBU
makwanadaksha9@gmail.com

2. Different perspective in novels on
Colonialism in Africa

3. Colonialism
• Colonialism is a political
phenomenon and a historical
reality.
• It is subjugation and direct
political control of society by more
powerful society.
• That involves exploitation , denial
of basic freedom , violence , which
is physical and epistemic.
• practice of domination and
imposing

4. Colonial rule in Africa
• Throughout Africa’s history , Africans have
struggled to reject forces of domination.
• From the time of slave trade by Europeans ,
throughout the colonial period and lasting into
neo- classical era of post- independence.
• Africans have dedicated their lives to resist
colonial powers and the imposition of the
outsider’s culture imperialism and neo-
colonialism.

5. A Grain Of Wheat
• Ngugi Wa Thiong’o attempts
to show the redemptive role of
the long- lasting resistance
movement of the Kenyans
against the oppressive colonial
rule in Kenya.
• White colonialist and African
opportunists
• Colonialism in Kenya
• Struggle for liberation
• Mau – Mau revolution

6. Things fall apart
• Chinua Achebe shows African not as
primitives , but as member of thriving
society .
• He portrays Africans as a structured
and civilized society.
• Achebe describes tribal life in Africa
and speaks how arrival of Whiteman
has changed lifestyle , culture and
gender roles in Igbo community.
• Achebe shows that African
colonization gives women certain
freedom threatening patriarchal
society.

7. Heart of Darkness
• European prejudice Africans clearly
present in Heart of Darkness. In
travelling through Africa , the
protagonist Marlow describes all the
natives savages , comparing them to
animals or the wilderness of the jungle
itself.
• Marlow combines the idea that Africans
are indistinguishable , savage and
primitive.
• Conrad describes oppressive treatment of
Africans during colonization pointing out
a number of cases when white men were
motivated primarily by greed and
satisfaction.

8. Different narration on colonialism
• “ Things fall apart “
• Personal tragedy of
Okonkwo
• Showing civilized and
structured African society.
• Chinua Achebe depicts
colonialism as a violent force
deconstructing a
sophisticated and highly
developed culture.
• “ Heart of darkness “
• The story of voyage ,
through the Congo river ,
which is in heart of Africa.
• Wealth economy – Ivory
trade
• Joseph Conrad depicts
colonialism as a violent force
deconstructing a society of
savages and barbarians.

9. Conclusion
• Colonialism is an inescapable reality , even after it is
ostensibly over.
• Colonialism impacted the African continent socially ,
politically and economically both positively and
negatively.