Consequences Of Colonialism In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

Although the colonial period, portrayed a time in which a variety of people were severely abused and many conflicts were provoked, there were also many positive sides towards the American colonization. This positive side promoted societal growth and increased numerous countries` wealth dramatically. For example, the English found an outlet to employ many of their low class peasants in their Chesapeake colonization, and also found a way to produce large amounts of rice, tobacco, and many more exports. In addition to obtaining expensive goods and recourses, American colonization gave European empires the opportunity to expand their rule across oceans. However, In some situations this reaped negative results, such as the British attempt to excessively control their colonies by unconstitutionally issuing new taxes. One can even go as far to say that American colonization led to the separation of the British empire. Thus, there were both positive and negative aspects towards American colonization, but if all the senseless deaths were worth the society we have today, will be a question debated for many

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a story about personal beliefs and customs, and also a story about conflict. There is struggle between family, culture, and the religion of the Ibo, which is all brought on by a difference in personal beliefs and customs of the Igbo and the British. There are also strong opinions of the main character, Okonkwo. We are then introduced to the views of his village, Umuofia. We see how things fall apart when these beliefs and customs are confronted by those of the white missionaries.

Because of the lack of acceptance from his family, especially his father, he is forced to make a choice between his new culture, or his loved ones. He chooses to leave, and when ask by his father’s friend, obierka, Nwoye says [quote about Okonkwo not being his father]. Okonkwo doesn’t take it well either stating to his children [the thing about them being dead to him or something]. This action shows Nwoye’s willingness to value his new faith in Christianity over his own blood. His troubling past with his father and sense of belonging makes it easy for him to change his life for the better by leaving. The missionaries offer Nwoye a better alternative to the oppressive life he is living, which gives him peace of mind as he leaves his family behind. In the wake of Nwoye growing up and struggling to find himself, he managed to go through a cultural shift and completely change his identity. As some Ibo people also choose to convert also, the missionaries gain more and more power over the village. Things begin to fall apart for the Ibo clan as they are divided because of the forces within themselves. The village of Umuofia is ultimately destroyed because of the split between the people living there. Although Nwoye never felt quite in the right place before, he finds peace of mind in his new sense of self, and easily forgets his past to start a new and better

Because Okonkwo was never too fond of Nwoye, as he was towards his daughter Enzima or even Ikemefuna a non related child, Nwoye didn’t gain a father son relationship. Nwoye, as a child, knew his fathers tributes and character so tried to not to anger him. This included listening to explicit stories depicting death and violence even though he preferred his mothers stories about animals learning morals. As the time went by Nwoye started becoming more distant with his father. Finally, when the European starting practicing and trying to convert their religion to the Ibo, Nwoye felt something awaken and mesmerizing about them. It was depicted by stating, “He did not understand it. It was the poetry of the new religion, something felt in the marrow. The hymn about brothers

“We have albinos among us” (Achebe 141). The words vocalized by Uchendu, a wise African villager and Uncle of Okonkwo in the novel Things Fall Apart by author Chinua Achebe. Achebe does an excellent job at giving the reader an insight of life before and during the beginning of English imperialism over Africa in the 1800’s. This essay will identify and explain the effects imperialism had on the African villages.

Soon after the missionaries began to teach the tribal people about the Christian faith, their tribal customs began to be questioned. This caused a sense of unrest in the village. The missionaries were trying to bring with them new ways of life, and mostly better ways of life. Mr.Achebe tries to show us that the missionaries showed people who were hurt by

    The Ibo culture in Things Fall Apart began to experience colonization, all after Okonkwo was exiled. He was sent away for seven years for killing a clansman. As soon as Okonkwo had left, Umuofia was greeted by Christian missionaries. They were there to convert the villagers to Christianity, to build churches, schools, and hospitals for them. When Okonkwo was exiled, Nwoye snuck off to be among the Christians. He enjoyed being around them and examined their religious views. But, Okonkwo was not happy about Nwoye’s decisions. Okonkwo chokes him by the neck, and demands Nwoye to tell him where he has been. “I don’t know, he is not my father.” (Achebe 137) Being almost killed by his own father really encouraged Nwoye to disassociate himself from his father completely and to head back home to Umuofia. Nwoye was drawn to Christianity because it made him feel welcomed, rather than when he was apart of his native religion.

For example Indians was invaded the British had to divide and conquer method divide the Indians in the two separate small issues. Europeans brought their influence of law and government to Africa creating tribes. In their point of view they thought they were helping people but really all they were doing was hurting the smaller colonies. Mother countries were destroying ethnic groups and causing civil wars between smaller nations. This newer modern Imperialism was never productive. Also the modern world plenty and pretty much made it a harder world to live in at that time. It all depends on which viewpoints you may look at. Some may think it was a positive thing but overall, it only led to things in this world that were negative. This is how people think that this can be a positive effect or negative effect over the social institutions.

Nwoye has an attraction to a new religion and culture. Okonkwo slowly and surely pushes Nwoye away. When the missionaries had arrived it rose curiosity in Nwoye. Nwoye reveals their ways and is attracted to their culture, their

As in result cultures were being ignored as more colonials their home in the new colonies. There is always a risk, that community can forget their own culture. This can lead to traditions being lost, which also can lead to many deaths. Imperialism stops the idea of freedom actually being free. The pros and cons of American imperialism show that it has been beneficial from a global perspective in many ways.

This hate often fueled conflict between him and his son. Although Nwoye was attracted to the new religion from the beginning, he did not dare to join in fear of his father. “He dared not go too near the missionaries for fear of his father.” (112) However, he always heard the word from a distance.

This was the final straw for Nwoye who was actually turning his life around up to this point. Fortunately for him, a new solution to his problem was introduced. The Christian missionaries, who are trying to change the people’s way of life, enter the village. Nwoye was obsessed by the new faith, but wanted to keep it on the low. “Although Nwoye had been attracted to the new faith from the very first day, he kept it a secret.

Nwoye’s reluctance in accepting both his father’s ideals and the cruel customs of the clan, led him to disobey his father’s wishes and rebel against the Igbo belief system. When the missionaries came to Mbanta, Nwoye’s hope was renewed. “It was not the mad logic of the Trinity that captivated him. He did not understand it. It was the poetry of the new religion, something felt in the marrow” (Achebe 147).

This happened to Nwoye and it resulted in changing his religion. He did not want to follow the Ibo culture anymore. The quote from the novel explains and shows the reader how Nwoye reacted to the new culture that was introduced. Instead of disliking it he became very fond of it. “He went back to the church and told Mr. Kiaga that he had decided to go to Umuofia where the white missionary had set up a school to teach young Christians to read and write.” (152/4) Nwoye was very influenced by the religion. He loved it so much that he now wants to teach other kids about it too. Nwoye wants to share his love for something with other people.

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.