The people as repository of power: an exploration of the democratic impulse in Chinua Achebe's <i>Arrow of God</i>

Abstract

In spite of the avalanche of scholarly discourse which have centered into Achebe's Arrow of God, not much, if at all, has been written about the democratic paradigm underlining the work. Indeed, most perspectives on the thematic thrust, for instance, of the work, have focussed on the tensions arising from the sundry manifestations of cultural conflicts therein. This paper undertakes a material reinterpretation of the novel with a view to underscoring or rebutting the thesis that Arrow of God is as much a novel of cultural conflicts as it is a denunciation of dictatorship and self-service. With a socio-linguistic examination of the work as a point of departure flavoured by an interdisciplinary mindset, this paper contends that Arrow of God is a testament to the imperative of democracy as well as a humanistic blueprint for the subversion of tyranny. With the tragedy of the protagonist of the novel (Ezeulu) who is the depository of the spiritual and temporal powers of the community, the truism that democracy thrives on separation of powers, is amply validated. It is hoped that this paper will provide a new vista and fresh perspective towards the appreciation of the artistic vision that informed Arrow of God.

Keywords: Democracy (democratic), tyranny, dictatorship, people, power, culture, conflict