Explored the historical background of Nigeria from the second half of the 15th century, including Portuguese invasion, establishment of contacts with Britain, becoming a British colony, and the outbreak of civil war after independence. Analyzed Nigeria's geographical location, natural conditions, economic situation, and the reasons why it has become the largest economy in Africa. Nigeria is one of the countries most deeply influenced by European culture, especially Marxism, and has long been in a passive state of acceptance. The main ideas of Marxism are in line with the historical background and social reality of Nigeria, giving birth to a group of local scattered writers such as Amos Tutuola, Christopher Okigbo, Femi Osofesan, and Chinnua Achebe.

Tutuola's Preliminary Understanding of Marxism

Explored the influence of Marxism on African literature in the mid-20th century, particularly on the works of the Nigerian diaspora writer Tutuola. African writers integrate Marxism into their literary creations through multiple factors such as personal experiences, dispersal attributes, and social backgrounds. As a famous Nigerian writer, Tutuola persisted in writing in English despite his limited education. His work "The Palm Drunken" was praised in the UK and US, but criticized in Nigeria for using "broken English". Tutuola's creations reflect a preliminary understanding of Marxism, by rewriting Nigerian folklore and mythology, and using metaphors to showcase Marxist tendencies and critical spirit towards reality. His works not only construct a fantasy world, but also expose the essence of society through this world, criticize the ugly faces of exploiters, and reveal the social phenomenon of class differentiation. Tutuola's unique creative style combines Marxist concepts with African folklore, showcasing the early influence of Marxism on local African writers and contributing to the dissemination and development of Marxism in the African literary world. After Tutuola, a large number of followers of Marxism emerged in Nigeria, who integrated their understanding of Marxism into literary creation and outlined a picture of African local literature full of Marxist creative style.

Oggebo's profound understanding of Marxism

This article delves into the understanding of Marxism by Nigeria's first generation local writer, Oggebo, and his expression in literary creation. Ojigbo is one of the "Four Great Poets" of Nigeria and also the prototype of tragic heroes in Achebe's works. His poetry creation has undergone a transformation from mythological symbolism to revolutionary aesthetics, combining personal experiences with public themes to showcase unique ideas and creative styles. The image of "thunder" appears multiple times in O'Keegbo's works, conveying the African people's resistance to war and their desire for revolution in exchange for independence and freedom.

Osofesan's fervent pursuit of Marxism

Osofesan is a versatile writer from Nigeria, most famous for his theatrical works, and one of the most important playwrights in Africa. His works blend traditional African performance elements with surrealistic writing features, reflecting social issues in Africa, particularly the conflict between good and evil, identity belonging, women's status, and support for proletarian resistance to oppressive forms of state. Osofesan's plays "Chatting and Singing" and "Molotov" explore the way out of the peasant revolution through the changes in historical memory, demonstrating a Marxist style struggle for social justice. The Four Thieves of the Past "triggers moral thinking and embodies Marxist concepts through the story of robbing the rich to help the poor. The Grasshopper's Anatomy humorously depicts the shattering of utopian idealism through the story of campus revolution. Osofesan believed that art should be devoted to social causes and change, but the Marxist tendency in his literary creation gradually became utilitarian and radicalized. He regarded Marxism as the key to opening the door to utopia, but this idealized Marxism gradually became disconnected from reality in terms of ideology. In sharp contrast to local writers such as Achebe who are skeptical of Marxism.

Achebe's Contradiction Writing on Marxism

Deeply explored the complex relationship between the famous Nigerian writer Achebe and Marxism. Achebe, as an important representative of modern African literature, has been deeply influenced by Nigeria's historical turmoil and social moral issues in his works, while also reflecting his emphasis on African indigenous culture. Although Achebe satirized African intellectuals influenced by Marxism in some of his works, his questioning of Marxism was not rooted in anti communist sentiment during the Cold War, but rather influenced by personal life experiences and religious beliefs.