Explored the centralization tendency of modern Western ethical theory and its role in capitalism, imperialism, and hegemonism. Postmodernism challenges this by advocating for differences, respect for others, and diversity. Postmodern ethical theorists such as Derrida, Levinas, and Bauman deconstruct modernity from different perspectives, emphasizing the diversity of subjects and responsibility towards others. The ethical narrative of postmodern literature expresses respect for differences and others through a narrative approach that involves multiple perspectives, narrators, and voices. In "Ant Hill in the Wilderness," Achebe uses postmodern ethical narrative techniques to reveal the modern ethics of political and cultural elites and Western capital conspiring to exclude others after African independence, as well as the destructive impact of Western economic restructuring plans and neoliberal privatization policies on African society.

Parallel structure: Recognizing differences

Explored the postmodern ethical ideas reflected through parallel narrative structures in Achebe's novel "Ant Hill in the Wilderness". French postmodern ethicist Levinas advocates respecting the differences of others, and the novel presents this ethical view through parallel narrative structures. There are two equally coexisting narrative lines in the novel, representing the voices of farmers and intellectual elites respectively, depicting the predicament of two different worlds under the oppression of neo colonialism and the comprador bourgeoisie in Africa. The author refuses to let any narrative line dominate, reflecting a spirit of resistance against neo colonialism and a criticism of the negation of differences in postcolonial regimes. At the end of the novel, the president disappeared and was assassinated, and the country restored order, emphasizing postmodern ethical thinking of respecting others and taking responsibility for others.

Intertextual Narrative: Respecting Others and Taking Responsibility

Explored Achebe's use of intertextual narrative techniques in "Ant Hill in the Wilderness" to demonstrate postmodern ethical concepts of respecting others and taking responsibility. The article points out that postmodern ethics emphasizes the moral relationship between the self and the other, and Levinas proposes that responsibility for the other is higher than oneself. Achebe breaks the isolation of the text and forms a dialogue by citing his own works such as "The Collapse" and Symbian's films. In the novel, the image of Beatrice challenges the traditional patriarchal society's bias against women in Africa. She participates in politics, resists Western capital, and demonstrates women's judgment and leadership. Achebe also granted women the right to name, subverting the traditional patriarchal naming rights in society. Beatrice took on the role of a traditional male elder, and the ethical theme of the novel underwent a profound change.

Multiple Narratives with Changing Perspectives: Constructing a Postmodern Ethical Community

Explored how Achebe constructed a postmodern ethical community through multiple narrative techniques of changing perspectives in "Ant Hill in the Wilderness". Kant and Levinas respectively proposed the concept of ethical community based on moral principles and caring for others. Achebe created a new cultural order through multiple narratives, criticized the unjust impact of Western capitalism on African society, and attempted to construct a minimal postmodern ethical community. The first eight chapters of the novel adopt first person narrative, revealing the evolution of their relationship with President Sam and unrealistic ideas from the perspectives of three intellectual protagonists. Starting from Chapter 9, the novel shifts to a third person narrative, delving into the portrayal of the African country of Kagan, which was monopolized by military power after independence and suffered from the hardships of the people due to the adoption of Western neoliberal policies. The voices of the lower class people are juxtaposed, guiding readers to focus on their collective experiences. Through multiple narratives with different perspectives, misunderstandings and oppositions between people of different religions, languages, and customs are resolved, and absolute responsibility towards others becomes a bridge connecting all parties, constructing a postmodern ethical community that transcends differences. The novel also reflects the postmodern ethical community characteristics that transcend language boundaries through language conversion. In the end, the work concludes that only the community, not individuals or heroes, can save a suffering society. Through postmodern ethical narrative techniques, Achebe reveals the solipsistic and absolutist stance of African political and cultural elites, portrays the destructive impact of Western dominated African economic layout and neoliberal policies, and reflects postmodern ethical concerns for postcolonial societies in Africa.