Later an English pop singer said nbsp I ain't gonna wash for a week nbsp Achebe uses this example to show how cultures can change He says that this kind of change only makes sense inside that culture But Africa has different needs Africa needs hope confidence skill and order So he says African writers must understand what kind of change their own society needs They must not waste their energy fighting the wrong battles The Need for Useful Change Achebe gives the example of a Nigerian newspaper 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 kind of fight is meaningless because Africa actually needs more efficiency Africa needs better work better planning and better discipline So Achebe teaches that change must match the real condition of the society The writer must think of usefulness He must observe life and understand what people truly need at that moment Pure and Impure Art Achebe also discusses art He says some people talk about art as if it must be pure They say art should stand alone without teaching or helping anyone Achebe does not accept this idea He believes art in Africa has a job to do He writes nbsp The writer cannot expect to be excused from the task of re-education and regeneration nbsp This is the heart of his idea Art should help people Art should open the mind Art should rebuild confidence Art that Serves Society Achebe even says that his own novels like Things Fall Apart will satisfy him if they only teach readers that Africa s past was not One long night of savagery nbsp He says maybe this is applied art instead of pure art Then he says nbsp But who cares nbsp This line shows that he values useful art more than empty beauty He believes art and education can work together He says they are not enemies They can help each other Art Must Match the Stage of Society Achebe says Africa is going through a special stage of history African nations are rising after long-term damage So African writers must create the kind of art that fits this moment He mentions ideas like the African personality and negritude He calls them temporary props They help people stand again He says that when Africa becomes strong these props will no longer be needed This means art must grow with society It must answer the needs of the time Achebe says life keeps changing Society keeps changing So art must change too African writers should not blindly chase pure art They should create meaningful and helpful art They should guide heal and teach Achebe believes that the writer must take part in the rebuilding of Africa He must bring light to the minds of his readers He must use art for the good of the people