V.S. Naipaul's Enigma of Arrival and Chinua Term Paper

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V.S. Naipaul's Enigma of Arrival and Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart both show how colonialism affects individuals as well as whole societies. While Naipaul's book is more optimistic in tone and less tragic in plot than Achebe's is, both of these novels create compelling accounts of how colonialism changes the consciousness of human beings. The consequences of colonialism are difficult to treat in novels because of the varied manifestations of colonial practices and the different ways people react. Although both told from the perspective of the colonized, Enigma of Arrival and Things Fall Apart are completely different in tone, theme, and plot. The differences between the two novels illustrate the wide range of disparate experiences of colonization. One of the things I appreciated most about these two books was in fact receiving an alternative account of history, told through the eyes of the oppressed.

The theme of transformation is also dealt with differently by both authors. Naipaul and Achebe both focus on change and transformation as central themes in their respective books.

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However, Naipaul depicts change as a slow and gradual process, similar to the changes of the seasons. His meandering story reflects this slow and gradual type of transformation, the kind that is more noticeable in retrospect than in real-time. In fact, the pace and style of Enigma of Arrival also mirrors this type of slow change, for during the course of the book nothing much happens. Only after putting it down did I feel moved, changed in my outlook and perspective.

Things Fall Apart also treats change as long-term process. For example, the things that fall apart for Okonkwo, his family, and his village do so over time. Both Naipaul and Achebe show that the transformations brought on by colonialism are in some cases subtle. On the other hand, often the changes are forced by colonialism on traditional societies. These rapid changes can be traumatic and devastating to individuals and communities,….....

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