Perspectives

Literary movement

The short story “Ghosts” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an example of post-colonial literature. This type of literature deals with events from former colonies, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of the native populati…

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Historical perspectives

The short story “Ghosts” mentions the Nigerian Civil War, which began on the 6th of July 1967 and ended on the 15 of January 1970. It was also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War. The conflict broke out when the Republic of Biafra declared independence from Nigeria in 1967. The short story also touches on the day independence was declared, mentioning how Ikenna had celebrated with great enthusiasm and had encouraged others to celebrate as well.

Biafra declared independence due to a conflict between the Igbo ethnic group that lived there and the Nigerian federal state. The federal state persecuted the Igbo, which resu…

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Works by the same author

The short story “The Headstrong Historian” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie focuses on a Nigerian widow and the consequences she faces after sending her son to acquire a Western education. When analyzing the two stories, you could compare and contrast the attitudes that the Western-style educated characters have towards their own native culture.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s short story “Chinasa” also deals with the Nigerian Civil War. You could compare the two short stories, and discuss how the trauma of living through the war and the blockade affects the characters and how they deal with thei…