Amos Tutuola’s My Life in the Bush of Ghosts follows outlandish episodic tales and a character stuck in the middle of a nightmare. Many of the horrid stories the author describes reflect the negative consequences of British colonization in Nigeria. However, Tutuola describes the dream-like 10th Town of Ghosts, a flourishing city in which his character prospers. Tutuola juxtaposes the 10th Town of Ghosts amongst other frightening cities in the Bush of Ghosts to reflect an accommodating view of British colonization in Nigeria. Tutuola only speaks positively of the spread of Christianity in the 10th Town of Ghosts. It is noted that when the narrator’s dead cousin brought Christianity to the town, all of the citizens were “respecting him” (Tutuola
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These improvements are parallel to those that occurred in Nigeria after British colonization. The narrator notes that the 10th Town of Ghosts is the “most beautiful town” in the entire Bush of Ghosts (Tutuola 149). The specific adjective “beautiful” reflects Tutuola’s feelings of the generating town and the changes occurring as a result of colonization. The narrator further describes the town as “well improved” (Tutuola 149). Not only does he feel that the addition of churches, schools, and other institutions improved the town, he feels it is “well” improved. This can be interpreted as Tutuola’s support and admiration of such changes in Nigeria. The narrator speaks highly of the additions to the town, but he also comments on the improvements of the citizens. The author mentions that “several thousands of nurses and medical officers” are “trained” (Tutuola 149). The citizens’ knowledge and productivity is enhanced by being “trained” and well educated. Tutuola uses this instance to display the enrichment brought to Nigeria by the British colonists. Not only are the citizens trained, but they carry on their learned trades “successfully” in the 10th Town of Ghosts (Tutuola 148). The particular diction used summarizes Tutuola’s stance on colonization and advancement. He agrees that the changes were well received and carried out “successfully” by the citizens in his culture. The narrator also interjects that he is “exceedingly glad” to be in the 10th Town of Ghosts (Tutuola 151). Here, Tutuola explicitly states his feelings about Nigeria and the changes it is undergoing. Although there were many downsides to colonization, it can be inferred that Tutuola was “exceedingly glad” or happy to accept the improvements brought to Nigeria by the British. His optimistic response to the cultural changes
These improvements are parallel to those that occurred in Nigeria after British colonization. The narrator notes that the 10th Town of Ghosts is the “most beautiful town” in the entire Bush of Ghosts (Tutuola 149). The specific adjective “beautiful” reflects Tutuola’s feelings of the generating town and the changes occurring as a result of colonization. The narrator further describes the town as “well improved” (Tutuola 149). Not only does he feel that the addition of churches, schools, and other institutions improved the town, he feels it is “well” improved. This can be interpreted as Tutuola’s support and admiration of such changes in Nigeria. The narrator speaks highly of the additions to the town, but he also comments on the improvements of the citizens. The author mentions that “several thousands of nurses and medical officers” are “trained” (Tutuola 149). The citizens’ knowledge and productivity is enhanced by being “trained” and well educated. Tutuola uses this instance to display the enrichment brought to Nigeria by the British colonists. Not only are the citizens trained, but they carry on their learned trades “successfully” in the 10th Town of Ghosts (Tutuola 148). The particular diction used summarizes Tutuola’s stance on colonization and advancement. He agrees that the changes were well received and carried out “successfully” by the citizens in his culture. The narrator also interjects that he is “exceedingly glad” to be in the 10th Town of Ghosts (Tutuola 151). Here, Tutuola explicitly states his feelings about Nigeria and the changes it is undergoing. Although there were many downsides to colonization, it can be inferred that Tutuola was “exceedingly glad” or happy to accept the improvements brought to Nigeria by the British. His optimistic response to the cultural changes