The Arrow Of God Analysis

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Arrow of God was first published in 1964 by Heinemann Publications in Great Britain. It had won Margarat Wrong Times Supplement Prize. It is one of the best loved novels of Achebe. When asked as to which of the novels he loves most, Achebe replied that not withstanding the fact that he loves all his novels as a mother would love her children, it would be Arrow of God that he would most probably be caught sitting with .It is a novel in which traditional society of native Africa comes glowingly alive. Basically it is the story of Ezeulu, ‘the magnificent priest’ of Ulu, a village god created when the six villages of Umuaro were in constant danger from the violent attacks of the abominable tribe of slave traders of Abam. To avoid conflict among themselves for supremacy, the six villages of yore got together and chose weakest of them …show more content…

The novel can also be read as accounts of the decline of Igbo/African race and their way of life, their protagonist’s victims of the British encroachment on their lands. In the Arrow of God, he further explores the failure of the British to understand traditional beliefs and values. The novel is concentrated traditional Igbo life as it clashes with colonial powers in the form of missionaries and colonial government. As far as the political administration is concerned, authority is concentrated on the district officer Captain Winterbottom.He has a deputy named Tony Clarke. They also combine the duty of police and law. The native Africans are also appointed as court messengers to carry the orders of the white chief. They have natives appointed as policemen who are sent to make arrests when situation demands. In this way African race are suppressed on social actions, practices, beliefs and political systems resulted to be ranked as inherently inferior to each other and is clearly brought home to the

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