Soyinka, Achebe and modern Nigerian literature

Nigerian literature has gone through certain motions in history, one of the most memorable of which led to the emergence of writers such as Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka whose impact continued to be felt in ensuing years. But before ‘Things Fall Apart’ – described by Wikipedia as the most widely read book in modern […]

Nigerian literature has gone through certain motions in history, one of the most memorable of which led to the emergence of writers such as Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka whose impact continued to be felt in ensuing years. But before ‘Things Fall Apart’ – described by Wikipedia as the most widely read book in modern literature – Achebe’s debut novel hit the bookshelves in 1958 and gained world acclaim, an earlier work written by Amos Tutuola, The Palm-Wine Drinkard, had already surfaced in 1952, argues Dr. Ahmed Babajo, dean, Faculty of Arts, Kaduna State University.    
“He was the first Nigerian to have written a novel earlier than any African, using folktales, myths and legends. The novel was acclaimed a wonderful work by Europeans while writers like Wole Soyinka were appalled that such a book would be called a great work of art,” says Babajo. “To prove to Europeans that Africans are as complex as any society, other writers in Nigeria began to bring out their works.”
The Palm-Wine Drinkard (the story of a drunk) is often considered the seminal work of modern African literature. It gained the writer, Amos Totuola acclaim in the West and criticism at home. The book is based on Yoruba folktales, but was largely ‘his’ invention using non-standard English prose (Pidgin English), reveals Wikipedia.
In Babajo’s list of Nigerian national writers of all-time are Totuola, Cyprian Ekwensi, Achebe, Gabriel Okara, J.P. Clark and to use his words correctly, “the almighty Wole Soyinka,” with regional writers like Abubakar Gimba, Helon Habila, Zainab Alkali, Ahmed Maiwada, his brother Mu’azu Maiwada and Audi Tanim Giwa.
This scholar defends his respect for the literary prowess of Soyinka thus: “He proved that ideas are not monopolized by any race. He used dinosaurs in his books and made ideas appear cheap and easy in his plays, notably ‘The Interpreters,’ which is considered a masterpiece. You must be a little bit crazy to appreciate it – he used only about five characters. This is why he is called ‘the God of African literature.’ You have to be very careful to understand works such as ‘The Lion and the Jewel’ and ‘Trials of brother Jero.’ You can see that his stories are applicable to societies around the world.
“That is why the Europeans do not undermine Nigerians. The World Book Day took place in Port Harcourt because we are respected in literature. This generation is a reading generation and the precedence writers such as Soyinka set is the reason why young writers write on anything under the moon today.”
It may be argued by readers and literary scholars alike that certain renowned writers use simple words and style of writing to reach out to a larger audience. However, what would appear simple and easily comprehensible to one could be termed as ‘having greater depth and complexity’ to another.
The works of Achebe and Soyinka cannot be said to be complex. However, if the matter is brought to the fore, the latter dips a bit into that category, says Dr. Musa Okpanachi, an associate professor in the Department of English, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, who pours out his heart on what he described as ‘uncelebrated authors.’
“We have writers like Ben Okri who writes not for the rich, but in sympathy of the poor. His work, ‘The Spanish Rule,’ reads like a scripture highlighting issues affecting the downtrodden.”
Analysing the depth of Soyinka’s writing, he explains that the Nobel laureate was given a prize for ‘the strength of language’ in ‘The Interpreters’ where he floated from the local to the universal.
“For complexity of characters, yes, Soyinka, in both local and international is unbeatable in Africa.”
Okpanachi points out that Achebe’s works are regional, delving into issues typical to the Igbo society.
“In the same way, a book on Tafawa Balewa would mean nothing to the Igbo man while Soyinka’s works revolve around the gods of Yoruba land. The Hausa man on the other hand does not believe in these idols. The Yoruba man has over 500 idols.
“A well-executed novel of Achebe’s is ‘Things Fall Apart’ and the universal aspect is the ‘human element’ seen in the major character, Okwonkwo, a man not aware of the changes taking place in his society.    
“Nigerian literatures are called so simply for being in the space of Nigeria. Writers like Ben Okri and Abubakar Gimba are not celebrated including other upcoming writers. Look at what Richard Ali is doing in Parressia.    
“National literatures should revolve around theories of amalgamation – Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe are the foundations of Nigerian literature, but not the measurement for today.”