Books Arrow of God (The African Trilogy Book 2)  by Chinua Achebe

"Arrow of God" by Chinua Achebe, the second book in The African Trilogy, is set in the 1920s among the Igbo villages of Umuaro in colonial Nigeria. The story centers on Ezeulu, the chief priest of Ulu, a deity worshipped by the six villages. Ezeulu confronts the challenges posed by British colonial rule and Christian missionaries, as they seek to impose their authority on indigenous traditions and governance.

The novel begins with a conflict between the villages of Umuaro and Okperi that is interrupted by the British colonial overseer, T. K. Winterbottom. Subsequently, John Goodcountry, an indigenous Christian missionary, arrives to promote Christianity, challenging traditional customs.

Ezeulu is summoned by the colonial authorities and asked to become part of the colonial administration (indirect rule), but he refuses, leading to his imprisonment. During his absence, the villagers cannot harvest yams until Ezeulu calls the New Yam Feast to honor Ulu. When he returns, he still refuses to call the feast, citing divine will, which results in yams rotting and famine. The villagers blame Ezeulu, and many begin converting to Christianity in search of protection and agricultural success.

Internal family conflict also arises as Ezeulu’s sons are divided in loyalty, with some embracing the new religious and colonial order. Ezeulu’s stubbornness and refusal to compromise lead to his diminishing power and tragic consequences for the community.

The title "Arrow of God" refers to Ezeulu's self-image as an instrument or arrow of the god Ulu, embodying the tension between tradition and change under colonial influence.

The novel explores themes of power, religion, colonialism, cultural conflict, and personal pride, portraying the complexities of indigenous resistance and adaptation to colonial rule.

This work is recognized as a profound meditation on the collision of traditional African systems with colonial administration and Christianity, through richly drawn characters and a nuanced depiction of Igbo culture.

If you want, I can provide more detailed analysis or thematic discussion on “Arrow of God.”