behave in strange ways But Achebe says Africa is different African readers do not see their writers as strange rebels They see them as guides They see them as teachers So Achebe says the African writer must understand this difference Readers See the Writer as a Teacher Achebe gives real examples He says most of his readers are young students in Nigeria and Ghana He shows the letter from Northern Nigeria written by I Buba Yero Mafindi The reader writes Achebe that nbsp Your novels serve as advice to us young nbsp This line shows a strong teacher-student relationship The reader even says he waits for Achebe s next novel Arrow of God Achebe understands from this that his readers expect guidance They expect wisdom They expect lessons for life So the African writer stands close to the African reader not far away Strong Expectations from Readers Achebe says readers often expect too much A student from Ghana asks him to add questions and answers to Things Fall Apart so he can pass his exam A woman teacher from Ghana wants the hero of No Longer at Ease to marry the girl he loves She argues that Achebe could have helped real women by changing the ending These events show that readers want moral lessons exam help and social solutions from the writer Writer Must Be Free yet Responsible Achebe says a writer cannot take orders from readers He must write freely But he must also consider the needs of his society He gives the example of a Nigerian editor who attacks soulless efficiency A type of work or progress that is fast mechanical and organized but without any human feeling or moral care in Europe Achebe says this fight is useless because African society actually needs more efficiency So the writer must keep freedom He should think wisely about the society he serves Writer Helps Rebuild African Society Achebe believes the African writer has a duty He says nbsp The writer cannot expect to be excused from the task of re-education and regeneration nbsp He agrees with William Abraham who says African writers must serve their people just like African scientists and historians Achebe wants his novels to teach that Africa s past was not One long night of savagery nbsp He believes art and education can work together The writer helps rebuild the mind of Africa and gives confidence to the people Achebe believes the African writer and the African reader share a close active and hopeful bond Readers look to the writer for guidance They want truth wisdom and help Achebe accepts this duty He wants the writer to stay free yet responsible and to take part in the rebuilding of the African mind and the African future