Cosmopolitanism In Kwame Appiah's Things Fall Apart

The presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson had many high reaching domestic reforms that had positive outcomes for Americans. For example, the first of which was his request of Congress to pass Kennedy's civil rights bill in as a memorial in the year of 1964 (Schultz 2014). But for Johnson, the intention was to improve the lives of the poor, elderly and uneducated citizens of our country. Another area where the president wanted to fire up interest was in reforming policies for improved civil rights laws and to rewrite the immigration laws.

In both novels, the unanimity between the characters and their communities provide them with a sense of stability and control. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is closely affiliated with, “a fight which the old men agreed was one of the fiercest since the founder of their town engaged a spirit” (Achebe 1). Similarly, Saul and his family are also related to the founding of their island to the extent that, “only the Indian Horse family can go to Gods Lake” and that it is their “territory” (Wagamese 20). The fact that both protagonists are associated with the origin of their living accommodation evokes a sense of oneness between the characters and their communities. Moreover, the sense of belonging both communities instill into the characters further implements the notion of stability and control. In

In Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo faces a lot of different challenges in his life. When he returned to his motherland after being exiled everything he knew was different. In the end he could no longer overcome the challenges and he chose to end his life. He rebelled against change in his religion, faced racism, and struggled with complications in his life style. This novel suggests that we see things fall apart when people choose to judge others based on their religion, race, and lifestyle.

There are several major themes displayed throughout the book of Cosmopolitanism, but the theme that stuck out to me was unwillingness to accept different cultures. I believe that if Reverend James Smith would had displayed this trait the outcome of the book would have been completely different. Reverend Smith was a close minded person, and if you did not believe what he believed than he would not respect you and would treat you like you are a nobody. Throughout the book the Reverend is constantly bashing on the beliefs of the Igbo beliefs and customs. When one applies Appiah's idea of being kind to all in Cosmopolitanism to Reverend James Smith in Things Fall Apart, the character changes by treating the Igbo people with respect and kindness.

Okonkwo uses strength and manliness to show dominance and manipulate people's views. Okonkwo uses his strength to fight, and show dominance over other people in his clan. Secondly, he maintains a constant image of manliness. Therefore, Okonkwo cannot show affection towards his daughters, cannot constantly treat his family with respect, and lastly, cannot associate with feminine men. This constant use of strength and lack of affection brings Okowkno to his demise. America still has many similar issues. Examples include, dominance over other powerful nations, using force to gain wealth or power, and maintaining a constant image of strength, even when it is not acceptable.

In the novel Things Fall Apart, strength and pride are very important aspects of the main character, Okonkwo, however, these traits may sound like excellent traits to possess but because of the way he was raised, Okonkwo harbours many of his emotions under an outer shell of violence, strength and pride. His traits can be shown by looking at where he has come from in his life, for example, Okonkwo has acquired a large amount of wealth in his life because of his hard work and dedication which he also puts towards his family, unfortunately, his family also suffers greatly because of this due to Okonkwo’s high expectations of his children and his violent ways when they do not live up to them. Secondly, Okonkwo possesses hidden emotions that

The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, they emphasize on personal achievements, and taking titles which means leadership and respect (Ohadike Don C., p. xxvi-xxvii). In the book Things Fall Apart, the main character, Okonkwo is affected by the influences of the Igbo society and vows to become a man of the highest title and to gain respect from all the lands. Okonkwo and his family live in male dominant society where men are superior to women, therefore, Okonkwo thinks he is the owner of his household, and constantly beats his three wives and children. Okonkwo develops arrogant characteristics and a fear of being weak from the traditions of the society, and throughout the book he puts up a hard exterior and beats

In Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo and Mr. Brown are very different people with different beliefs because of their past experiences and fears. Okonkwo is very self conscious and fearful that he will fail. He has also grown up in Umofia, where people are not often punished for beating their wives. That causes to believe that women are less than men and that violence is the answer to problems. Mr. Brown is very sure of his speaking skills, and is willing to hand over some control to other people. He has grown up without a lot of violence, and believes that education, equality, and peace it the answer. The fundamental differences between Okonkwo and Mr. Brown’s core beliefs as to how society should run derive from Okonkwo’s fear of

In the the book Things Fall Apart, the main character in the book is Okonkwo and he is a leader and a type of person who always stands by tradition. Okonkwo is best known for his manliness and tough inflexible character during the book. Okonkwo is the best fighter in all of Umuofia(He was still young but he had won fame as the greatest wrestler in the nine villages. pg6).

Of Imperialism, English writer and composer Anthony Burgess once said, “Colonialism. The enforced spread of the rule of reason. But who is going to spread it among the colonizers?”. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe chronicles the life of underdog turned successful clansman Okonkwo, as well as the complexity of the Ibo culture in pre-colonial Africa. With the arrival of British missionaries, Okonkwo’s world crumbles as their cultures clash, and more African people begin to join the church. The Ibo people at first greatly underestimate the power of the colonizers, yet they make a deep and lasting impact on their culture. These missionaries completely change the lives of the Ibo people. Achebe’s main message is to communicate this clash of

Chinua Achebe’s critically acclaimed novel Things Fall Apart tells the story of a decorated and powerful chief of the Igbo village tribe named Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a strong independent man who came up from nothing in his life and refused to return to earth as the same way he started, he believed he was destined for greatness. Perhaps Okonkwo’s most driving factor for this is his father died a beggar and he became disgusted how his father went out with no achievements or accomplishments to his name. Okonkwo is very prideful as a result of his humble upbringing and believes that the only way one can be successful is through Old Ways of the Igbo Tribe. As a result, Okonkwo is hell-bent

In Things Fall Apart there are many cultural collisions created by the introduction of Western ideas into Ibo culture. One example of a cultural collision caused by the introduction of Western ideas into Ibo culture is when Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye converts to Christianity. This causes a cultural collision between Okonkwo and Nwoye because Nwoye wants to become a Christian, but Okonkwo doesn’t like the white men or Christianity. This cultural collision is caused by the white men bringing in western ideas to Ibo culture. This collision is very important to the book because it leads to the destruction of Okonkwo and fuels his anger. This collision shapes the meaning of the novel as a whole by symbolizing many things

Often times, authors use literary elements to convey important central ideas in a text. In the novel, “Things Fall Apart,” Chinua Achebe uses misogyny to enhance the central idea that men are held superior to women. Misogyny is simply defined as the hatred of women. Achebe uses symbolism and the cultural components of Igbo, an African culture, to enhance sexism as the reoccurring theme throughout this novel. Okonkwo is a man held with high respect in the book, and does everything in his power to be anything, without resembling his father.

Civilization is most often defined by its prevailing culture. In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, this connection is still apparent. Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, displayed an appreciation of culture, as well as a deliberate incorporation of it into his life. While he didn’t treasure hard work or labor, Unoka was infatuated by his village’s music and stories, and was well known for his verbal prowess. In one respect, he held characteristics that were traditionally associated with femininity, but in another, he represented the Nguzo Saba principle of Kuumba, or creativity. Unoka was titleless, and in one word lazy, but he was still able to contribute to his people in ways he saw best fit.

In most cultures an individual’s gender will influence their characterization. For instance, Ibo tribes in Africa classify people according to their gender. Women are thought as submissive individuals who are to some extent weaker than men. Men on the other hand are thought of as strong beings with much expected from them. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart strongly emphasizes on the categorization of masculinity and femininity in the society of Ibo tribes. Throughout the book, Okonkwo’s idea about masculinity situates him with respect to his community. In his community Okonkwo is greatly praised for his masculine traits. It is Okonkwo integration with masculinity that leads to him becoming an