Tradition versus Modernity in Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease

Abstract

This research work, “Tradition versus Modernity in Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease” is about Nigerian born characters’ adaptation of new culture and its effects in his life. The immigrants, Obi Okonkwo and Clara, after their migration to England, are unable to remain in their pure identity. This research paper explores elements that indicate to Achebe’s back up of the difference between African and European ways. No Longer at Ease examines the dissolution of modern urban environment which is contrasted from the idea of rural purity and stability. Achebe’s position remains between tradition and modernity, and the desire to retain traditional values and motivation to recognize changes and adaptations necessary for survival. This research attempts to apply Peter Childs as a theorist and his famous essay 'Modernism' as a methodological tool for my thesis. Loss of Faith, cultural exhaustion, questioning towards reality, disinterestedness and nothingness, immorality are some of the terms which is searched in this project. Thus, this research attempts to apply on the theoretical perspective of Peter Childs: Modernism to Achebe’s No Longer At Ease.