Stories have been a part of human culture since before time. Storytellers generation after generation create a picture in our heads as they tell their stories. As any story is told, there can always be a second point of view. Looking at something from another standpoint can help explain the story or situation, and it fill gaps in the facts. In the past, a similar case has can be found in Africa during the mid-1900’s. Authors Sembene Ousmane and Chinua Achebe both documented the revolution in Africa; additionally, similar to most other historical everts, they have conflicting views on the purpose of traditions. Furthermore, in both God’s Bits of Wood and Things Fall Apart, traditions are a determining factor in the culture of the communities
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He writes about how the old ways of life make modern living better. One example, in God’s Bits of Wood, racism is set aside to help workers receive better benefits. While the workers were on strike, they began to run low on funding, and because they were black, no one seemed to think it matter if they were supported or not. However, one character, Dr. Michelle, a rich white man in Africa saw the good in the strike and supported them. Another part of life improved by tradition according to Ousmane is nationalism. Before the clash of cultures, the natives of Niger River Valley did not act because of their country. In other words, the French control how they act so they seem French; this phenomenon of nationalism did not exist in Africa before the revolution. All in all, Ousmane tells us that the purpose of tradition is to shape the future. According to the story in God’s Bits of Wood, traditions themselves are a powerful thing. As different groups with different traditions collide, neither will survive; instead a combined tradition will arise, improving the …show more content…
In the case of Achebe verse Ousmane, the argument is easier to decipher if the details are broken down and compared. First, if the author’s attitude of tradition is analyzed, the two views of the situation become ever more present. Ousmane has an optimistic opinion, and tells a story that shows a culture that is well behaved and works well with change. Ousmane write about tradition as a conceitful group of ideas, a base for building a new nation. On the other hand, Achebe wrote about tradition as a wild and obstinate culture that will not support the building of a new nation. The second opinion, in nature more pessimistic, shows a wild culture, a culture that can run rampant and avoid being governed. In other words, Ousmane sees tradition as the start of something new, while Achebe sees tradition as a part of the past that will not mix with the present. Furthermore, Ousmane shows how the traditions helped break down social walls. Women’s rights, racism, and nationalism were all revolutionized because of the mix of tradition with modern culture. Achebe wrote to degrade women and put them in a powerless state, kept the white men and the Africans separate throughout most culture mixing in the book. All in all, at the end of each novel, the author’s purpose of tradition stands out. As God’s Bits of Wood comes to an end, a message of joy and celebration is most evident. Meanwhile, at the end of Things
He writes about how the old ways of life make modern living better. One example, in God’s Bits of Wood, racism is set aside to help workers receive better benefits. While the workers were on strike, they began to run low on funding, and because they were black, no one seemed to think it matter if they were supported or not. However, one character, Dr. Michelle, a rich white man in Africa saw the good in the strike and supported them. Another part of life improved by tradition according to Ousmane is nationalism. Before the clash of cultures, the natives of Niger River Valley did not act because of their country. In other words, the French control how they act so they seem French; this phenomenon of nationalism did not exist in Africa before the revolution. All in all, Ousmane tells us that the purpose of tradition is to shape the future. According to the story in God’s Bits of Wood, traditions themselves are a powerful thing. As different groups with different traditions collide, neither will survive; instead a combined tradition will arise, improving the …show more content…
In the case of Achebe verse Ousmane, the argument is easier to decipher if the details are broken down and compared. First, if the author’s attitude of tradition is analyzed, the two views of the situation become ever more present. Ousmane has an optimistic opinion, and tells a story that shows a culture that is well behaved and works well with change. Ousmane write about tradition as a conceitful group of ideas, a base for building a new nation. On the other hand, Achebe wrote about tradition as a wild and obstinate culture that will not support the building of a new nation. The second opinion, in nature more pessimistic, shows a wild culture, a culture that can run rampant and avoid being governed. In other words, Ousmane sees tradition as the start of something new, while Achebe sees tradition as a part of the past that will not mix with the present. Furthermore, Ousmane shows how the traditions helped break down social walls. Women’s rights, racism, and nationalism were all revolutionized because of the mix of tradition with modern culture. Achebe wrote to degrade women and put them in a powerless state, kept the white men and the Africans separate throughout most culture mixing in the book. All in all, at the end of each novel, the author’s purpose of tradition stands out. As God’s Bits of Wood comes to an end, a message of joy and celebration is most evident. Meanwhile, at the end of Things