Understanding Things Fall Apart from a Postcolonial Perspective| Chinua Achebe| African Novel

In this brief video I discuss the novel with a special focus on Okonkwo as the protagonist of a character-driven novel. Most of my discussion is from a postcolonial theory perspective.
Chinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart. amzn.to/3gOkXei
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What is Postcolonialism:
Since I claim to be a postcolonialism scholar, I think it is apt to include a brief description of my field of study. In my view, Postcolonialism ( also written as Post Colonialism or Post-Colonialism) is a dynamic field of literary study that focuses on the history of colonialism and native responses to the colonial policies and life after colonialism formally ends. The field of postcolonialism also offers insights into the literature and culture of the the former European colonies and their struggles after the end of colonialism.
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#ChinuaAchebe #ThingsFallApart

[@Jtluci]

This was a great analysis of the novel, and I would love to see more analysis like this for more post colonial texts, thank you for the great content!

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. Please check out my playlist on Postcolonial Fiction. I will keep adding to it.

[@shady_shawty]

greetings from turkey

[@masoodraja]

Thank you so much and welcome. Please let me know if there is something you would like me to cover.

[@shabirmagami146]

one of my favorite novels ...and your talk as always full of nuance... and insightful .... thanks for sharing ...love and respect💌

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@tayabbakhatoon5451]

Finally here i found what i was searching from 2or3 days... It's really very helpful even more helpful for the proper pronunciation...THANKS A BILLION to the respected Professor...means a lot 🌟☺️🙏

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@understandingliterature5541]

Tomorrow I am going to take my paper of post colonialism , sir said that the paper will be from Edward said's orientalism introduction and things fall apart. The question will cover both the topics as interlinked. If you can provide me with that hint It will be great.

[@masoodraja]

Good luck. I have no hints but if you have read both the books, you should be fine.

[@smmahan1779]

yours lectures sir leave me overthinking and rewriting each time!..it's just amazing
many thanks sir 🇲🇦💙 شكرا

[@masoodraja]

Thank you so much.

[@Rima-vi3sf]

Am fascinated by the ideas and the knowledge you give sir, I wish I can be formed by someone like you
All the respect!!

[@masoodraja]

Thank you so much.

[@Leeworld310]

Hey Doc, please spell the name of the author you talk about at 2:49. Is it chengezwhu or something. But it's not Achebe or Ngugi. I'd like to explore their work. Thank you.

[@masoodraja]

It is Chinweizu: th-cam.com/video/y-vQHbQ3xm4/w-d-xo.html

[@harisniaz9474]

Sir, if we draw a comparison among Okonkwo and his father, can we classify them as conformist and non-conformist characters? I am not sure where do I place these characters. Okonkwo's father is an unconventional character because he does not conform to societal standards and lives his life according to his own rules. While, Okonkwo is a conformist. But then, later on Okonkwo's character develops and he is the non-conformist by standing against the colonizers rule.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. It is entirely up to you how you read the characters. I obviously do not have one set answer for that.

[@harisniaz9474]

@@masoodraja Thank you for responding sir. I have my final semester postcol exam tomorrow. This was one of the aspect our instructor asked us to look into. Throughout my English Degree, I have followed your lectures. They are a great help. Thank you for making these videos and I hope you keep on doing so.

[@masoodraja]

@@harisniaz9474 Thank you and good luck on your exam.

[@iramnisar6725]

Sir post colonialism ki poems p bhi videos bunain aur urdu main bhi video bunaiy.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. There are some in Urdu already. But most of my work will remain in English as majority of my audience and all my students are English students.

[@fadialqawal7170]

After reading this review and listening to your notes and tipps i pick up this argument and i would start writing my paper.
"Achebe demonstrates that teaditions should not leave unqestioned( untouchable). Although change does cause conflict, it can have a positive impact on those who embrace or accept change.
What do you think Sir?

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. Please do your research first. I am pretty sure this has been done by many scholars already. But see how your argument either adds to previous works or adds something new. Please watch my video on How to Choose a Paper Topic.

[@fadialqawal7170]

@@masoodraja i will do thank you sir.

[@Rima-vi3sf]

From a postcolonial prospective the Igbo traditions or culture was able to change bcz no culture stays frozen. however, the colonizer cut that by sweeping and removing the culture and replacing with that culture idk if am right but correct me if am mistaken... We'll am just hypothesizing .

[@meditationandnature2500]

Beautifully delineated, all the pros and cons taken into account... Maasha Allah

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@meditationandnature2500]

@@masoodrajaAlways welcome Sir... Your lectures are, beyond any whiff of doubt, illuminating and soothing as well...

[@kausaraftab8721]

Assalamualaikum Sir !
u are just amazing and the way you teach is incomparable

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@davidodonoghue1092]

Great video. Thank you, sir. I am curious- why does Achebe view the English language as a gift left behind by the colonizers? What does the English language have to offer that wasn't available through the pre-colonial channels of communication?

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. That is a huge debate in African literature. I cannot answer it in a comment but if I have time, I will try to record something on it. In the meantime if you look it up, some details should come up.

[@davidodonoghue1092]

@@masoodraja thank you, Dr. Raja. I will watch out for future videos on the matter. Best wishes. David

[@masoodraja]

Here is a brief response to your question: th-cam.com/video/L5d2lgAAIRc/w-d-xo.html

[@davidodonoghue1092]

@@masoodraja thank you very much Dr Raja. The reasoning behind his position appears to based on how the English language can be applied practically as a uniting force- very interesting. Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my question in such a clear and friendly manner. P.s. I have joined your channel. Keep up the great work! :)

[@masoodraja]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for joining as a member!!

[@diyashadas1871]

Elaborately described. Thank you for this lecture sir. ❤

[@masoodraja]

You're most welcome

[@amiraamari7478]

On my way to be a doctor and thts all because of you sir .
I owe you so much

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. You don’t owe me anything. Just go change the world.

[@amiraamari7478]

@@masoodraja i will be the next Algerian spivak in sha allah .... With my absurdist thoughts running all over my head .

[@masoodraja]

Great!! All power to you!!

[@muhammadsaifurrehman7301]

Sir Aik chez Jo bhut Important hai Woh Post Colonial tragedy hai with respect to the Novel Things Fall apart, Is pe bhi bat kejye ga Dosra Jab Ap Enoch ka Character parhty hn Aur Spirit Ka Qatal karta hai Wahan Jo Igbo Society Bjaey Vengeance k "Second Coming" pe Yaqeen Rakhti hai Kia Ye flaw ni Hai? Ya According to Post Colonial Tragedy is this The "tragic flaw" of Igbo community? Is pe Bhi Zarori bat kejye ga.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. You can find a lot on the so-called tragic flaw in the web. I have just added my understanding of the novel here, which obviously is not the final word on the novel. I suggest conducting some research on the novel. I personally have no opinion on your question.

[@unepartdebonheur]

Excellent lecture! Greetings from Argentina

[@masoodraja]

Thank you and welcome to my channel!

[@debrakalauserangmusic]

"It's also then by the ending it's driven home to us that there are so many such lives that were considered insignificant, not worthy of attention and maybe worthy of one note here or one note there... and that is the problem of colonial representation of native culture". Can't agree more, professor. This book does function as a mirror for everyone of us to examine the dark side of our human nature.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. Yes, I find the last bit of the book very poignant.

[@emanmasoud6721]

Thank you very much professor

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@BushraB1]

I just finished the book and stumbled upon your video. Thank you very much for opening the book even more up for me 😊

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome. There is whole playlist on the book.

[@stutisharma1998]

Thanks for the explanation sir...has helped me a lot.

[@masoodraja]

You are most welcome

[@DeejayB9]

I concur, this was a great analysis.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@asmabintetarique3062]

It was amazing 🥰

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@fadialqawal7170]

Thank you very much 🌹

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@Autumnwhispers96]

Thank you for this lecture doctor. Greetings from Morocco !

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@brandoncespedes9421]

This was donde masterfully. Thank you!

[@brandoncespedes9421]

done*

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@Edgar10115]

That's really great lecture... Thank you so much Sir

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@fehmidakhoso1224]

Sir, can you help me in making research proposal topic from the things fall apart.
I have chosen "Explain how the colonial and African culture within things fall apart another is What makes Okonkwo a tragic Hero..which is better topic? Or can you tell me how to make better questions.. i will be waiting for your reply.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. Sorry, I cannot be of much help with this. You might want to conduct a bit of online research on this.

[@fehmidakhoso1224]

Alright

[@masoodraja]

This might be of some help to you: th-cam.com/video/g3AP0Urbhz8/w-d-xo.html

[@fehmidakhoso1224]

Yes but sir is it good topic I have chosen?

[@masoodraja]

There is a lot written about this novel and both the questions you mentioned are pretty much covered by anyone who talks about this novel. So, it depends on how you define a good question. I would rather look more something more original or a different way of tackling the same question. So, you can only be sure of the quality of your questions after you have followed the research process.

[@CricketThings97]

Sir how should be "The Tragic Flaw" it should intentional or unintentional??

[@masoodraja]

Thanks. Sorry, I don’t understand the question.

[@CricketThings97]

@@masoodraja Sir in Things Fall Apart Okankwo kill a person unintentionally in a funeral ceremony. Can we call this unintentionally murder by Okankwo, Okankow's tragic flaw?

[@masoodraja]

Please read up on it. In the native culture it is considered a “female” sin, thus unintentional. Whether it is a flaw or not is up to what you as a reader argue. Obviously this is not science so there are no single or perfect answers. But I highly recommend reading some essays about the novel.

[@unscriptedpodcast13]

This was super impressive

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@kawkawa7634]

Thank you sir. 🇩🇿🥺

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome!

[@henrympundu7328]

This is so insightful. Thank you 😊

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@arsalansaleem6716]

You must separately record a lecture on the last part of the novel it's unique point

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. It is available in my course on Achebe at Udemy.

[@masoodraja]

Here is that excerpt: th-cam.com/video/ECTUid65R9k/w-d-xo.html

[@arsalansaleem6716]

Thank you Sir.

[@carinathebraveszabo9430]

Peace and love

[@masoodraja]

Thank you.

[@JohnJohn-es4nw]

❤️

[@joshbyoutube]

Thanks for this!

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome!

[@muhammadsaifurrehman7301]

Wow Kamal Ho gaya

[@masoodraja]

Thank you