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Author | Chinua Achebe |
---|---|
Original title | Girls at War and Other Stories |
Country | Nigeria |
Language | English |
Genre | Fiction |
Publisher | Penguin Publishing Group |
Publication date | 1972 |
ISBN | 0385418965 |
"Girls at War" is a 1972 short story by Chinua Achebe. [1] The narrative that focus on the essence of survival amidst the uncertainties of war. Through the protagonist, Reginald Nwankwo, the story unfolds the intricacies of determination, resilience, and the human spirit's quest for survival. [2] Encountering a young woman Gladys, three times in different circumstances, Reginald's journey becomes a metaphor for life's unpredictable paths. In their initial encounter, he offers advice to Gladys, advocating for education and discouraging involvement in the militia, foreseeing the dangers it holds for women. [3]
However, fate brings them together again at a militia checkpoint where Reginald discovers Gladys has joined the militia. Despite his initial reservations, he admires her determination to survive and thrive in the midst of adversity. Her transformation from a young girl to a confident woman highlights the resilience bred by necessity during wartime. As the war continues to ravage their lives, Reginald's hostility towards it grows, fueled by the disruption it brings to his daily life. Through his experiences and encounters with Gladys, "Girls at War" poignantly illustrates the enduring human spirit's ability to adapt, endure, and find moments of beauty amidst the chaos of conflict. [4]
The story follows Reginald Nwankwo, a man living in a turbulent time of war. The first encounter with Gladys, a militia girl, at a checkpoint leaves a lasting impression on him, challenging his perspective on the revolution. Over time, as the war progresses and conditions worsen, Reginald's encounters with Gladys become more significant.
Their paths cross again, and Reginald offers Gladys a lift, revealing her transformation from a devoted militia girl to a kept woman. Despite his initial judgment, Reginald feels a sense of duty towards Gladys and offers her support. At a party hosted by a Lieutenant-Colonel, tensions rise when a drunken guest speaks harsh truths about the war. Reginald witnesses the event and reflects on the moral decay of society. He resolves to help Gladys and seeks to uncover the influence behind her transformation. [5]
As Reginald prepares to take Gladys home, their departure is delayed, and their car breaks down. Amidst the chaos, they encounter a disabled soldier seeking help. Tragedy strikes as they are caught in an air raid, resulting in devastating consequences.
The story explores themes of societal collapse, moral ambiguity, and the human cost of war, as characters navigate through a world filled with hardship and uncertainty. [6]
"Compassion Amidst Chaos" Reginald Nwankwo's journey through the tumultuous landscape of war reveals the profound impact of compassion in a world torn apart by violence. Through his evolving relationship with Gladys, a former militia girl turned kept woman, Reginald confronts his own prejudices and discovers the complexities of humanity in the face of moral decay. As they navigate through the wreckage of society, their encounters with tragedy and hardship illuminate the harsh realities of war and the sacrifices required to maintain one's integrity. Ultimately, the story focuses on the profound question of whether compassion can survive in a world consumed by conflict, offering a vivid exploration of the human spirit amidst chaos.
Heart of Darkness (1899) is a novella by Polish-English novelist Joseph Conrad in which the sailor Charles Marlow tells his listeners the story of his assignment as steamer captain for a Belgian company in the African interior. The novel is widely regarded as a critique of European colonial rule in Africa, whilst also examining the themes of power dynamics and morality. Although Conrad does not name the river on which most of the narrative takes place, at the time of writing, the Congo Free State—the location of the large and economically important Congo River—was a private colony of Belgium's King Leopold II. Marlow is given a text by Kurtz, an ivory trader working on a trading station far up the river, who has "gone native" and is the object of Marlow's expedition.
Conscience is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual's moral philosophy or value system. Conscience stands in contrast to elicited emotion or thought due to associations based on immediate sensory perceptions and reflexive responses, as in sympathetic central nervous system responses. In common terms, conscience is often described as leading to feelings of remorse when a person commits an act that conflicts with their moral values. The extent to which conscience informs moral judgment before an action and whether such moral judgments are or should be based on reason has occasioned debate through much of modern history between theories of basics in ethic of human life in juxtaposition to the theories of romanticism and other reactionary movements after the end of the Middle Ages.
Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as a central figure of modern African literature. His first novel and magnum opus, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel. Along with Things Fall Apart, his No Longer at Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964) complete the "African Trilogy". Later novels include A Man of the People (1966) and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). In the West, Achebe is often referred to as the "father of African literature", although he vigorously rejected the characterization.
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