Theme and message

Modernity versus tradition

Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path” deals with the theme of modernity versus tradition through the cultural conflict present in the story. Throughout the story, Michael Obi wants to modernize the Ndume Central school while rejecting the native villagers’ need to preserve the ancestral footpath that is important to their tradition.

The title can also reflect the theme of modernity versus tradition. It represents the ancestral footpath which is an important element for the natives of the Ndume village. It also highlights the fact that there are not many people left who want to preserve the traditional culture. Since the story happens in 1949 when Nigeria was under British rule, one can say that the colonized were preocc...