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PHILOSOPHY OF FREEDOM AND HUMAN DESTINY IN CHINUA ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART; NO LONGER AT EASE AND ARROW OF GOD

By

Abstract

This dissertation is an attempt to examine critically the complex nature of; and the ironies of human life wishes in human society. It looks into the seeming absurdity, paradox and contradictions presented by the reality of both determinism and free-will; freedom and destiny of man in his real world with a relational approach. In proffering solution to this paradox as it was made manifest in the lives of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart, Obi in No Longer at Ease and Ezeulu in Arrow of God, this study showed that man is actively involved in the shaping of his/her life and that life is dynamic; culture is borrowed and shared. It argues that the dynamism of life demands wisdom to cope with it and that only positive and rational adjustment can sustain human destiny/achievements in the reality of cultural dynamisms. Man as an interactive being and a being of influence is subject to change; however, changes should be from lower to higher values. Therefore, it concluded that human freedom and destiny work together as complements not contraries towards the realization of man in his society.