Analysis of Achebe's Impartiality in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
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Achebe's Impartiality In Things Fall Apart
Knowledge of Africa and the inhabitants of the massive continent were often portrayed as barbaric beasts by the first missionaries to enter the land. Because of skewed writings by European missionary workers, a picture was painted for their readership of a savage Africa saved only by the benevolent, civilized western influence. Achebe successfully attempts to redirect this attitude. Achebe educationally has the means to convey a different perspective, an advantage most other individuals of his culture lack. In his novel Things Fall Apart, rather than glorifying the Ibo culture, or even offering a new view, Achebe acts as a pipeline for information to flow freely without partiality.…show more content…
The accumulation of a congregation was a slow process. Mr. Kiaga, the interpreter in charge of the congregation, was "firm" and it was this trait that "saved the young church" (157, Ach). His strong faith and new beliefs were inspirational to those clansmen that had ever questioned the Ibo practices. Mr. Brown, a white missionary, was characterized as "respected even by the clan" (178, Ach). Mr. Brown was even offered a gift by one of the neighboring villages, "which was a sign of his dignity and rank" (179, Ach). He did not simply preach his ideas, but educated himself in the tribe's culture through conversations with the clansmen. Mr. Brown opened a school and hospital in Umofia. "And it was not long before the people began to say that the white man's medicine was quick in working. Mr. Brown's school produced quick results" (181, Ach). Achebe chooses to characterize a missionary such as Mr. Brown favorably to create for the reader a respectable and exemplary view of the missionary. This benevolent perception of missionaries is neutralized with Mr. Browns contrast: Reverend James Smith.
When Reverend James Smith is sent to replace the ill Mr. Brown, "things" reroute. Reverend James Smith openly disputed Mr. Brown's "policy of compromise and
Knowledge of Africa and the inhabitants of the massive continent were often portrayed as barbaric beasts by the first missionaries to enter the land. Because of skewed writings by European missionary workers, a picture was painted for their readership of a savage Africa saved only by the benevolent, civilized western influence. Achebe successfully attempts to redirect this attitude. Achebe educationally has the means to convey a different perspective, an advantage most other individuals of his culture lack. In his novel Things Fall Apart, rather than glorifying the Ibo culture, or even offering a new view, Achebe acts as a pipeline for information to flow freely without partiality.…show more content…
The accumulation of a congregation was a slow process. Mr. Kiaga, the interpreter in charge of the congregation, was "firm" and it was this trait that "saved the young church" (157, Ach). His strong faith and new beliefs were inspirational to those clansmen that had ever questioned the Ibo practices. Mr. Brown, a white missionary, was characterized as "respected even by the clan" (178, Ach). Mr. Brown was even offered a gift by one of the neighboring villages, "which was a sign of his dignity and rank" (179, Ach). He did not simply preach his ideas, but educated himself in the tribe's culture through conversations with the clansmen. Mr. Brown opened a school and hospital in Umofia. "And it was not long before the people began to say that the white man's medicine was quick in working. Mr. Brown's school produced quick results" (181, Ach). Achebe chooses to characterize a missionary such as Mr. Brown favorably to create for the reader a respectable and exemplary view of the missionary. This benevolent perception of missionaries is neutralized with Mr. Browns contrast: Reverend James Smith.
When Reverend James Smith is sent to replace the ill Mr. Brown, "things" reroute. Reverend James Smith openly disputed Mr. Brown's "policy of compromise and
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