Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Existing criticism of No Longer at Ease tends to focus on its broader thematic concerns, with point of view as a stylistic device in service of class and social inequality receiving comparatively less sustained attention.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its point of view functions specifically in relation to class and social inequality. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of point of view in Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease.
2. To analyze how point of view contributes to the portrayal of class and social inequality.
3. To assess the effectiveness of point of view as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
4. To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How is point of view used in Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease?
2. In what ways does point of view contribute to the portrayal of class and social inequality?
3. How effective is point of view as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
4. How does this reading relate to the broader body of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to students and teachers of english language / literary studies, offering a close reading of Chinua Achebe's No Longer at Ease that can support classroom discussion and further critical work. It also contributes to the broader body of scholarship on Nigerian literary and linguistic studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to a close textual analysis of point of view within No Longer at Ease, reflecting a clearly defined scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.