Dead Men's Path Essay

In a short story “Dead Men’s Path” by Chinua Achebe, he believes that colonialism creates conflict between two cultures. A change in the tradition can cause a massive violence and destruction to the people. Achebe uses character’s thoughts and actions to advance this view. First, Michael Obi closes the path: “Heavy sticks were planted closely across the path, at the two places where it entered and left the school premises. These were further strengthened with barbed wire” (Achebe). This quote demonstrates that in closing the path, it caused a conflict between Obi and the village. Obi physically tried to stop and prevent the villagers from practicing their tradition. The use of the word “strengthened with barbed wire” implies that planting

This quote proves that Chinua knew and had more experience with his African name than his English name and if he did not choose his African name problems would have started” (Chinua Achebe). Chinua Achebe’s actions explained that it is best to stick with one culture and to not interfere with another. In his short story, “Dead Men’s Path”, Michael Obi’s actions explain that he did not go with one culture, and the consequence for not choosing one culture is that his dream and goals were

Contrasting to, “That was the worst enemy our country had ever seen”(Mojimba). This quotation demonstrates that at the beginning of the story, Mojimba viewed Henry as family but when Mojimba saw his people shot dead, Henry was the worst enemy of the country. The use of the word “brother/worst enemy” implies that before Mojimba saw Henry, he was a brother, family but now that Mojimba saw Henry killing his people, his attitude towards Henry changed and he is now the worst enemy. His overall tone was a surprise at first then shifted towards