Discuss Dead Men's Path, by Chinua Achebe, and Snapshots Of A Wedding, by Bessie Head.

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Joe Perkins

10CE

English essay: How two short

 Stories reflect different cultures

        For this essay I am going to discuss Dead Men’s Path, by Chinua Achebe, and Snapshots Of A Wedding, by Bessie Head. These are both short stories from the Opening Worlds book by Heinemann.

        Written by the Nigerian son of devout Protestants, Dead Men’s Path is a profound short story, which explores the modernisation of Africa through beliefs and also the effects of Western customs and ideas on traditional African society.

        It tells the story of one man trying to modernise Ndume Central School in Africa where he has recently been made Headmaster. Although only 26, Michael Obi has a very high opinion of himself, and a somewhat over-inflated ego.  He sees himself to be above others and superior to them because he is educated: ‘He was outspoken in his condemnation of the narrow views of these older and often less-educated ones.’

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        With his young wife Nancy supporting his radical ideas and views of a modern school, not just in teaching method but also in appearance, Obi tries to bring the ‘backwards’ school up to date by teaching the children to ‘laugh’ at the beliefs of their forefathers.

        When Obi discovers an ancient path that goes through the compound of the school, he is amazed that the other teachers have allowed the villagers to use it, as it goes right through the new hedges and Marigold beds. After learning from another teacher that the path connects the village shrine with their place ...

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