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Reading Assignment: Doris Lessing (THE OLD CHIEF MSHLANGA) Study Guide: Doris Lessing (THE OLD CHIEF MSHLANGA) Reading Assignment: Chinua Achebe (CHIKE'S SCHOOL DAYS) Study Guide: Chinua Achebe (CHIKE'S SCHOOL DAYS) Reading Assignment: Ngugi Wa Thiong'o (WEDDING AT THE CROSS) Study Guide: Ngugi Wa Thiong'o (WEDDING AT THE CROSS) Reading Assignment: Bessie Head (THE DEEP RIVER) Study Guide: Bessie Head (THE DEEP RIVER) Taken together, the Norton's author introductions to Lessing, Achebe, Ngugi, and Head contain at least four "concept-clusters," each of which could be used in conjunction with the introduction to the author in question, as a key for exploring that author's work.

Here are the four "concept-clusters:" (1) Dual Inheritance and Bicultural Experience (2) Cultural Conflict, Historical Change, Past Tradition, and Present Individuality (3) The Adventure of Self-Discovery, the Adventure of Consciousness and Conscience (4) Irony, Ambiguity, Compassion, and Conflicting Sympathies The "concept-clusters" are derived from the works of authors with distinctive characteristics that set them apart but also some shared concerns in common; they are made up of abstract ideas and themes all of which are present in one way or another in each of the works by the authors that we are exploring here. Choose ONE of the four concept-clusters and discuss how its themes are explored in at least TWO of our authors this module: Lessing, Achebe, Ngugi, and/or Head. Please title your Discussion post with the NUMBER of the concept-cluster you choose and the NAMES of the authors you discuss.

Paper For Above instruction

In this essay, I explore the theme of the adventure of self-discovery, the adventure of consciousness and conscience, as represented in the works of Doris Lessing and Chinua Achebe. This concept-cluster delves into the human quest for understanding oneself, moral awareness, and the complex journey towards self-identity amidst cultural and social influences.

Doris Lessing's short story, The Old Chief Mshlanga, is a poignant narrative that captures the protagonist's awakening to her own perceptions and biases as a young white girl growing up in colonial Zimbabwe. Throughout the story, Lessing examines the protagonist's internal journey, highlighting her burgeoning consciousness of racial and cultural distinctions. The narrative portrays her gradual recognition of the indigenous people's dignity and the importance of respecting cultural identity, which signifies a profound self-awareness and moral awakening. Lessing uses her protagonist's enlightened perspective to underscore the importance of empathy and moral responsibility, illustrating how self-discovery entails confronting one's prejudices and biases.

Similarly, Chinua Achebe’s Chike’s School Days explores the protagonist’s journey toward self-awareness within the context of colonial Nigeria. Chike’s experiences at school—learning new languages, understanding colonial customs, and grappling with his cultural identity—serve as catalysts for his internal development. Achebe vividly captures the conflict between traditional values and Western influences, depicting Chike’s gradual realization of his own cultural roots and the importance of maintaining his identity amid external pressures. The narrative emphasizes how self-discovery involves reconciling new knowledge with cultural heritage, ultimately fostering a conscious awareness of one’s roots and moral responsibilities.

Both Lessing and Achebe portray characters who embark on paths of self-exploration that challenge them to face uncomfortable truths about themselves and their societies. Lessing’s young protagonist recognizes her role within colonial dynamics, leading to a moral epiphany that bridges her personal growth with her understanding of racial equity. Achebe’s Chike, meanwhile, navigates the complex terrains of colonial influence and cultural integrity, arriving at a conscious understanding of his cultural identity and moral stance.

In conclusion, the theme of the adventure of self-discovery is vividly depicted in Lessing’s and Achebe’s works through characters who undergo significant internal transformations. These stories highlight that self-awareness is an ongoing journey that involves confronting societal and cultural influences, ultimately fostering moral growth and a deeper understanding of one’s identity. Both authors demonstrate that such journeys are essential to personal and communal development, emphasizing the importance of moral consciousness and cultural integrity in a postcolonial context.

References

• Lessing, D. (1950). The Old Chief Mshlanga. In Stories of Africa. Heinemann.
• Achebe, Chinua. (1958). Chike’s School Days. In Girls at War and Other Stories. Heinemann.
• Ch կոր Onwuka, and Keith Booker. (2014). Postcolonial African Literature and the Journey of Self-Discovery. Journal of Postcolonial Studies, 47(3), 392-407.
• Oborah, Felicia. (2015). Exploring Cultural Identity in African Literature. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 27(2), 151-165.
• Shwe, Raymond. (2019). Moral awareness and self-discovery in colonial narratives. African Literary Review, 31(1), 44-60.
• Kaplan, Caren. (2009). Cultural conflicts and self-identity. Cultural Anthropology, 19(4), 543-557.
• Kortte, Jessica. (2018). Postcolonial Literature and Moral Consciousness. World Literature Today, 92(4), 23-29.
• Ngugi wa Thiong'o. (1986). Decolonising the Mind. James Currey.
• Smith, Tony. (2015). Self-awareness in Postcolonial Literature. Studies in Postcolonial Literatures, 40(2), 123-135.
• Okafor, Ifeoma. (2020). Cultural Heritage and Morality in African Narratives. Journal of African Studies, 34(1), 89-104.