Introduction

The introduction of the book ascertains the place and importance of Christian missionaries for Africa, Africans, and African literature especially foregrounding the importance of missionary efforts to expand Christianity and European education in Africa. At the same time, the African reaction, namely, that of African writers and intellectuals who approached mission education with suspicion, to the rising influence of Christian religion and education along with European colonialism in their homeland is briefly stated. After comparing Achebe and Beti with their contemporaries, it elucidates the rationale behind the conflicting missionary portrayals and criticisms one finds in the select works of both authors.