Achebe's Audience

I want to draw on what we briefly discussed in class about Achebe writing an Afro-European fiction. I believe that Ngugi had every right to criticize Achebe for writing towards a European audience. The obvious examples are, of course, his glossary in the back for Ibo words and the language in which Achebe writes his novel. It is very clear that his grammar and over all language is written to a higher class with higher education. It is reasonable argument to say that if Achebe wants to reach out and spread the culture of the Ibo people than he must write in English in order for others to understand. But an important point was brought up in class today that I completely agree with; it is interesting that a good portion of the first part of the novel is all about Okonkwo and convincing the reader of his heroism. It is not until later in the novel that the missionaries are brought about. I feel as if Achebe does this in order to convince the audience of the culture and of Okonkwo’s actions, something that would only have to be done if Achebe was writing to an audience that did not agree with the Ibo culture. The detail that he goes into while explaining the customs and traditions, such as the Oracle or The Week of Peace, are only needed for an audience not familiar with or accustomed to these types of traditions. Ngugi was not wrong in believing that this novel is an Afro-European piece of fiction.