Things Fall Apart Post Colonial Analysis of Christianity and Igbo Tradition

Things Fall Apart follows the events in the life of the main character, Okonkwo. Additionally, the book follows mini-storylines of other characters, such as Obierika. A family is very large in Ibo society because a man typically has more than one wife and children with each wife. Okonkwo has many children, but his oldest son, Nwoye, was crucial in the development of ideas in the novel. Nwoye did not conform to Okonkwo’s ideals, therefore, Nwoye felt out of place in his family. The missionaries aimed to convert people who were outcasts or out of place in the village, to give them a sense of belonging. When the Christian missionaries came to the Okonkwo’s village of Umuofia, the primary people converting were outcasts. This is explicitly said when the Achebe remarks, “None of his converts was a man whose word was heeded in the assembly of the people” (Achebe 143). The detrimental effects of Christian acculturation on the Ibo people are shown in both Achebe’s novel and Adichie’s story, but however, the contrasts are that Achebe concentrates on the methods used whilst Adichie directs attention to the lasting

The white missionaries continue to degenerate the Igbo society as they continue to be settled in their mist. Even though the Igbo people might have a rough harvest or a terrible famine that might decimating the clan; however, each one of them believes that he is been protected by the spirit of his forefather. They live in harmony with the dead people, and the environment that produces food for them (Champion 275). As the man of the clan pounders that his “returns to his own clan and is fundamentally unchanged, but British supremacy has changed his people, particularly his own son by converted him to Christianity (Bloom Herald introduction, modern critical Interpretations 2). Furthermore, the Igbo people come to sense some sort of humiliation

In the novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, religion, an indispensable tradition is celebrated within the Igbo people. The Igbo people, hosts gatherings, worship, and celebrate their ancestors. They are polytheistic, in other words, they believe in many gods. The Igbo people also believe in sacrifices to their ancestors and crimes are considered as sins. Their ancestors and gods serve as a role model, or a sculpture, to whom they worship and sacrifice in Igbo society. However, the arrival of the European Missionaries not only brings tremendous changes to Igbo religion and culture, but also creates conflicts among them.

In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe exercises the importance of traditions in an Ibo village of Nigeria. Africa is very well known for their long history, dating back to two million years ago, and their ancient ethnic customs have lived on since (“African History”). Unlike families from a rich white society, African families are usually required to live the traditions that have been survived through many generations, even if they are frowned upon in other parts of the world. However, the colonialists’ arrival in the late 19th century to Umuofia influences African characters of the novel to disobey these gender, religious, and cultural customs.

Throughout the reign of the Missionaries, the Igbo religion became lost. Clan members no longer worships their sacred gods and goddesses. “To abandon the gods of one’s father and go about with a lot of effeminate men clucking like old hens was the very depth of abomination,” (153; pt.2, ch.17) Okonkwo says in regards to his fellow clansmen converting to Christianity. At first, many members of the clan did not notice the changes around them. They became oblivious to the missionaries and what they had brought with them, “the white men has not only brought a religion, but also a government.” (155; pt.2, ch. 8) The changes brought by the white men, occur slowly and cautiously, until it becomes too late for the clan members to react. Members of

Achebe’s text does indeed show how when cultures collide and there is refusal to change, there will be many negative consequences. First, one character, Okonkwo refuses to convert to the new religion of Christianity because the beliefs of Christians contradicted those of the Ibo culture and, as a consequence devastation follows him. Foremost, the Ibo people believed in many different gods and goddesses of the land, so when the white missionaries came to Umuofia and said that “they worshipped false gods”(pg.145), it caused some of the people like Okonkwo distrust them. An example of this is shown where Okonkwo believes very strongly that the white missionary "man was mad" (pg.147) as he told the Ibo people about the Holy Trinity. This is also shown where some of the new converts in Mbanta “boasted openly that all the gods were dead and impotent”(pg.154).

Ultimately religion is the number one change through out the novel. When the white man first arrives he has little luck gaining converts, but the more he preaches his religion and the differences in Christianity to the Igbo people the more people convert. Most of these people have felt pain from this religion; such as the women who only birthed twins that were thrown into the dark forest would be able to safely deliver twins. “There is only one true God and he has the earth, the sky, you and me and all of us” (126). Religion is also relates to the destruction of the culture because the people are lead to believe their gods are only myths and fairytales and not the true god. Conversion to Christianity is also the reason for many distractions

Look at what it has come to, a ruined society. All of the Igbo stand before me, yet diminishing by the hundreds. With the introduction of christianity our society is falling quickly. I shelter all but those who tread beyond me shall be cursed along with all damned souls who have dared. My mantle is in jeopardy now and without the faithful we are sure to be replaced with an extremest faith. Perhaps it is a blessing that i have not my village, for they have proven to myself that they are not worthy to stand below

Colonization is the introduction of new ideas to another nation. This form of change creates conflict between the colonizers and those who are being colonized. This can be bolstered and verified by countries such as Nigeria, where missionaries brought new ideas, technology, and religion. These changes and events of colonization in the Igbo tribes are what inspired the book Things Fall Apart by Achebe. As the Igbo become Familiar with the missionaries conflict is created as some convert to Christianity. This is the case for Nwoye, one of the new Christians, as he shows that It is one adaptability and curiosity that leads one to a new way of life and survival.

Does religion bring things together or does it break them apart? The religion of the Igbo people and their praise for the Earth goddess, Ala, has always been a prominent part of their life, but over time it has changed. Through reading Things Fall Apart and doing online research it can be seen that parts of the traditional Igbo religion have been lost in modern day, but some of the practices still exist. From the past and even until now, there has always been a place to worship traditional Igbo gods. In the book Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo has his own personal place to worship the gods that he believes in.

The novel Things Fall Apart is written by Chinua Achebe who was a Nigerian author, in the book he shows the effects of the European colonization in western Africa. Christianity made some drastic changes to the Ibo community. The Igbo society was better off before Christianity was introduced into their community. Before the religion Christianity, the Igbo society was a structured community with their own costume and believes. They had their own Gods and a own religion that they believed in.

In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, son of esteemed tribe member of the Umuofia tribe, Nwoye explicates the struggle between conforming to African social norms and his individualistic desire to follow Christianity. Nwoye’s internal conflict between socially imposed notions and personal ideals portrays his struggle to define his individualistic sense of self-identity, as he must respond to his tribe’s “effeminate” notions versus his personal regard to the Christian church. His ultimate response to this cultural collision explicates his ability to overcome societal boundaries, and his ability to define his individualistic sense of self-identity.

It never ceases to amaze how the smallest changes can have the most significant impact on things that you wouldn’t think it would affect. Throughout “Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the role of customs and traditions is incredibly important as well as the point of view and the role of the people. In “Things Fall Apart” the traditions and customs are very important to the village. Not only do the europeans come and change the tradition the next generations also does the same.

In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe proves how the introduction of Christianity in Lower Niger through the colonization of European settlers creates tension in the Ibo culture, and begins to diminish the foundations

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.