A DISCOURSE-STYLISTIC STUDY OF ACHEBE’S MULTIPLE IDENTITIES IN EZENWA-OHAETO’S CHINUA ACHEBE: A BIOGRAPHY

Abstract

This discourse-stylistic study explores Chinua Achebe’s multiple identities and their positive impacts on humanity in Ezenwa-Oheato’s biographical text on the literary icon. It emanates from the current scholarly view of identity as a composite of multidimensional selves, and one’s characteristic way of being, saying and doing something. The analysis which is meant to bridge the critical gap created by the absence of the multifaceted identity status of a world-class figure like Achebe in identity studies, is premised on the descriptive and content analysis forms of qualitative research method and identity theory, alongside Leech and Short’s (2007) stylistic analytical paradigm. With the biographer’s distinct use of the linguistic tools predominantly belonging to the semantic field of praise in extolling the laudable identities of Achebe, the seven identities found to have been explicitly and implicitly attributed to him are psychological, literary, religious, prophetic, fatherhood, racial and interpersonal identities, all of which speak to this global citizen’s advancement of the cause of humanity. The study also reveals that the biographer’s essence of foregrounding Achebe’s positive manifestations is to inspire his readers to be of positive influence to their generation like his biographee. The paper therefore ultimately invites its readers to build for themselves positive identities by borrowing a leaf from Achebe’s exemplary life and actions.