Colonialism In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

The novel Things Fall Apart was written in 1958 by a late Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart alludes to the effects of European Imperialism on Igbo culture. This novel begins in a fictional town called “Umuofia”, on the boundary of modern day Nigeria. European missionaries arrive in Umuofia, uninvited and especially unwelcomed. Upon the missionaries arrival, Umuofia’s cultural tradition is shaken to its core and tampered with by the Europeans. The effects of the Europeans on the Igbo culture in Umuofia alter the village’s religion, political structure, and the Igbo peoples way of life.

Post colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. Things Fall Apart is a good novel that serves as a reminder of what Nigeria once was. It shows how a society can deal with change, how change affects the individuals of that society, and how delicate a change can be; so much so that the people themselves are surprised at the change.

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, presents the result of colonization of the Ibo people by the European missionaries. The Ibo culture is threatened to change by the European influence. Villagers are divided between resisting a new lifestyle or embracing it for better opportunities in society. The struggle to keep Ibo traditions alive is reflected in Okonkwo and Obierika’s relationship to one another. Okonkwo represents the resistance of change by keeping traditional values in high regard while, Obierika signifies the openness to opportunity by questioning the current Ibo values. The arrival of European missionaries persuades the exchange of traditional Ibo methods, customs, and community for Christianity, resulting in the community to fall apart.

In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe it is demonstrated how the Ibo culture slowly deteriorated from their own culture. The Western ideas influenced a different impact on certain characters, this also included characters like Okonwo and his son Nwoye. Many from the Ibo culture were confused by the merge of the European people slowly but subtly trying to enforce and covert their religion upon them. The books ending explained why the book was written in the first place, which was to “break the silence” that existed from the unheard side of the colonized people. The novel explained the impact Nwoye encountered with Western ideas was a clear and positive one. Nwoye felt like he resonated, was wanted, and more suited in the new culture

Culture collision is not something that you hear about everyday. Culture collision is the clash of cultures or values. This can be triggered by many things and the way we react to it is due to our personality. When this does occur it can impact our lives in such a great way. It can have an affect on who we are and what we stand for. In the novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe we take a look at the character Okonkwo and see how he is affect by his Culture collision and see that his personality is the the factor in the way he reacts to it.

All over the world, cultures possess traditions that are uniquely their own. When two diverse cultures collide, there is a cultural shock that is experienced by both sides. In the novel Things Fall Apart, the colonization of Umuofia by the British created a drastic cultural clash that suppressed the Igbo tribe’s unaltered culture. The colonization influenced many people’s lives in the Igbo tribe; some members converted to Christianity, others wanted to keep the Igbo’s traditions alive, such as Okonkwo. According to Okonkwo, war was the only viable option. The British colonization fostered Okonkwo’s change to go from being a momentous man in his clan to an outcast among his village.

Igbo culture who then becomes destructed and taken over by an outside force; The Europeans. To

Imagine living in a village where everyone shares the same beliefs and speaks the same language, but suddenly one person arrives, and the world seems to move off balance. This is what happens in Things Fall Apart when Reverend Smith replaces Mr. Brown, a white missionary, in the African village of Umuofia. Soon after Mr. Smith arrives, the village because of the white people seize control of the village, causing the main character, Okonkwo, to commit suicide. When one applies Kwame Anthony Appiah’s ideas of cross cultural communication and diversity within a society in Cosmopolitanism to Reverend James Smith in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the character would have a change in his attitude towards the African culture in Umuofia.

The imperialism brought up many hard times for the imperialist and the natives of the lands that the imperialist wanted to conquer. The book Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe is set in the first waves of European imperialists in Nigeria; they acted in a way that Chinua wrote them in some opinions are highly stereotyped in what they did. When the Europeans industrialized Africa, anyone that did not have the Christian religion was deemed “uncivilized”. The fact is though, the Ibo people were civilized in their own right way. For example, they had a form of government, religion, a justice system, and the children were schooled in what they needed to know for their life. Knowing what we now from history

Religion and tradition is a part of culture that brings a civilization together. Throughout history Britain is praised for colonizing and helping the Igbo people but “Things Fall Apart” a novel by Chinua Achebe, gives a different perspective of British colonization. The British bring a different culture which leads to the downfall of Umuofia. Okonkwo, a highly respected man before colonization turns into a defeated man after his culture is murdered by the British. He is frustrated and demands war; however, no one is listening.

The African continent has been known for its natural resources and its diversity. The diversities of the place set it apart from the other continents. That why many people want to be in the land and enjoy its spectacular environment. Furthermore, its natural resources attract everyone over many years to settle and harness its resources, to be used elsewhere. In the process, indigenous people, tribal clan become the victim of forceful empire in their mist. The author, Chinua Achebe in his book Thing Fall Apart tries to captive and the detrimental effect of a colonization on a group of people. In the book, Achebe portrait the Igbo tribe as one of the victim of the imperialist mind in the African point of view. Although the British intention

Umuofia is a village in Africa, and the inhabitants there are usually united. However, when the Christians arrive and permeate the village, the clan changes but also falls apart. The novel in which this story takes place is called Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The story is about a well-respected man named Okonkwo who has three wives and many children, the oldest being Nwoye. Okonkwo is banished for seven years from Umuofia, and during those seven years, Umuofia is changed fundamentally by the Christian faith. Many people are converted, but the whole clan is in conflict. This novel demonstrates that Christianity destroys but also guides the Ibo culture in Umuofia.

This paper reflects the novel “Things Fall Apart” written by Chinua Achebe in 1958. Achebe gives an overview of pre-colonialism and post-colonialism on Igbo, detailing how local traditions and cultural practices can “fall apart” in some scenarios through some introduced, externally created hassles elevated because of colonization. The protagonist named Okonkwo mentioned in the story is a proof showing the lifestyle of the tribe. My main objective and focus is to lay emphasis on Africa specifically the Igbo society, before and after the arrival of the Europeans in Umuofia community; the results of their arrival concerning Igbo culture, thus leading to the clash of cultures between the two categories. I will also draw on post-colonialism with respect to globalization.

Change impacts everyday life, to the big picture in people's lives. People have dealt with change for ages. It is a challenge that people must face at some time in our lives. In Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, he shows the effects of change on a civilization of people and their ways of dealing with it. It shows the story of the Igbo people and their story of change from colonization. From the arrival of Christian missionaries, things began to change for these people, they had to learn to deal with a new culture, turbulent results followed. Achebe portrays a positive change through constructive institutions and a peaceful religion, however with negative tradeoffs such as racist hierarchical problems.

The book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, is a story of a demise of a great man by the name of Okonkwo and the Ibo culture in Africa due to a cultural misunderstanding and intolerance of the clanspeople all the while leaving snippets of wisdom and lessons for readers to interpret and live by throughout the book. “Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.” (7) In other words proverbs and the lessons the Ibo teach or speak enhance their understanding of words their meaning in everyday life. Storytelling also has a great place in the culture among mother and child and in their culture just as conversation. Throughout the book many valuable lesson are taught and to be lived by but a reader should ultimately take away from the proverbs, to be respectful of all people, if you really want something you’ll find a way to get it and to not allow a stranger to change your ways.