Quote of the day: “Art is man’s constant effort to create for himself a different order of reality than the one given to him.” – Chinua Achebe
It is associated with his collection of essays, Morning Yet on Creation Day, published in 1975.
Nigerian novelist and poet Chinua Achebe once said, “Art is man’s constant effort to create for himself a different order of reality than the one given to him. This statement offers profound insight into the nature of human creativity and the role of art in society. Widely regarded as the father of modern African literature, Achebe emphasized that art is not merely a reflection of the world, but a deliberate act of remaking it.”
At its core, Achebe’s quote suggests that art is humanity’s attempt to transcend the limitations of the reality we inherit. Life is a world full of constraints – social, cultural, political and even natural. Through art, individuals can explore possibilities beyond these boundaries. Whether through literature, painting, music or theatre, art allows people to construct alternative realities, challenge norms and imagine worlds that may not yet exist. In essence, it is a bridge between what is and what could be.
Achebe’s own works exemplify this philosophy. In his seminal novel, Things Fall Apart, he reconstructs the world of pre-colonial Igbo society and depicts its complexities, values and struggles. In doing so, Achebe challenges the stereotypical portrayal of African societies as primitive or chaotic and offers a richer and more nuanced vision of reality. Literature here is not just narrative; it is the reshaping of perception—the creation of a reality that defies both ignorance and misinterpretation.
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Art also serves as a means of resistance and liberation. For many societies under oppression or cultural marginalization, artistic expression becomes a tool to imagine freedom and justice. Music, poetry and the visual arts provide a space where voices that are often silenced in everyday life can articulate alternative visions. Achebe’s statement reminds us that every act of art has the power to challenge, transform and inspire new ways of seeing the world.
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Furthermore, this quote reflects a universal truth: people are naturally dissatisfied with simply accepting reality. Art is an expression of curiosity, imagination and aspiration. It is a testimony to the desire of the human spirit to experiment, push boundaries and find meaning beyond the immediate and visible. Art thus becomes a dialogue between the given reality and the artist’s imagined possibilities, enriching both the creator and the audience.
Who was Chinua Achebe?
Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet and critic, is considered a key figure in modern African literature. His debut and landmark novel, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a prominent place in African literary history and continues to be the most widely read, translated and studied African novel. Achebe was born in Ogidi, then part of colonial Nigeria, and his upbringing was shaped by both traditional Igbo culture and colonial Christian influences. He excelled academically, attending what is now the University of Ibadan, where he developed a strong critique of the way Western literature portrayed Africa.
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Chinua Achebe was born on November 16, 1930. His father, Isaiah Okafo Achebe, worked as a teacher and evangelist, while his mother, Janet Anaenechi Iloegbunam, was the daughter of a blacksmith from Awka, a leader among church women and a vegetable farmer.
He died on March 21, 2013 at the age of 82 in Boston.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka unveiled a memorial bust in his honor and inaugurated the Chinua Achebe Literary Court in December 2019.
