Narrative technique in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart...URGENT!!!!?

Question

Does someone know what is the "narrative technique used in terms of Forester's aspect of the novel"??? And who is this forester supposed to be?? Some literature critic or someone who lives in the forest or what??? Please help!!!

Answer 1

First about Forester
After Forster had written A Passage to India in 1924, he would never write another novel. He engaged in literary criticism and writing politocal essays. In 1927, he was invited to deliver the “Clark Lectures” at Cambridge's Trinity College. Result was an in-depth analysis of the basis of novels. These lectures were published as Aspects of the Novel.

The book is divided into seven chapters. Forster deals with the founding elements of narrative texts: story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern and rhythm. Forster uses some new ideas. First, he does not deliver a historical treatise on literature. Second, traditionally strong notions concerning literary criticism, as e.g. point of view, do not play an important part in his Aspects of the Novel. And, finally, he introduces completely new terms, as e.g. flat and round character. These points made the text an innovation at the time when it was published, and even today Forster's views form an important part of literary analysis. (h.z.)

Now about "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe
The story takes place in the Nigerian village of Umuofia in the late 1880s, before missionaries and other outsiders have arrived. The Ibo clan practices common tribal traditions—worship of gods, sacrifice, communal living, war, and magic.

Leadership is based on a man's personal worth and his contribution to the good of the tribe. Okonkwo stands out as a great leader of the Ibo tribe. Tribesmen respect Okonkwo for his many achievements. Even though the tribe reveres Okonkwo, he must be punished for his accidental shooting of a young tribesman. The Ibo ban Okonkwo from the clan for seven years. Upon his return to the village, Okonkwo finds a tribe divided by the influence of missionaries and English bureaucrats who have interrupted the routine of tradition.

Only when Okonkwo commits the ultimate sin against the tribe does the tribe come back together to honor custom.

Critics appreciate Achebe's development of the conflict that arises when tradition clashes with change. He uses his characters and their unique language to portray the double tragedies that occur in the story. Readers identify not only with Okonkwo and his personal hardships but also with the Ibo culture and its disintegration. Chinua Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart not for his fellow Nigerians, but for people beyond his native country. He wanted to explain the truth about the effects of losing one's culture. Published in 1958, the book was not widely read by Nigerians or by Africans in general. When Nigeria became independent in 1960, however, Africans appreciated the novel for its important contribution to Nigerian history.

Achebe incorporated Igbo proverb and Igbo story telling. The structure of the story is determined by Igbo tradition, and the setting is firmly within the Igbo culture. The style is called narrative text.

Answer 2

It's been a long time since I read that book, but from what I remember I think the idea of a "mother supreme" principle would be ironic when compared to the treatment of women. Doesn't Okonkwo beat his own wives when they upset him?