Category: Things Fall Apart

The protagonist of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo, is the personification of radical masculinity and patriarchy. The protagonist’s self-identification as a warrior, husband, and father is brutal and often based on cruelty and aggression. To the greatest extent, Okonkwo’s personal qualities are manifested against the background of other characters who find themselves in similar situations. Thus, the novel is built on the juxtaposition of concepts, ideas, and concepts, thanks to which the reader can fully understand the main character’s perception of the concepts of masculinity and patriarchy.

Notable is his father’s influence on the formation of Okonkwo’s personality and worldview. The main goal of the protagonist’s life is not to be like his father. He carries this opposition into all areas of his life, from farming to dealing with children. Also, Okonkwo’s qualities as a father when comparing how he treats his children and Ikemefuna, and Okonkwo and Ikemefuna’s attitude towards Nwoye. Another noteworthy feature of the protagonist is the cruel treatment of his wives, while his uncle treats women with respect and reverence.

The main opposition in the novel is the clash of tradition and innovation. The author conveys this confrontation through the conflict between African traditions, embodied in Okonkwo, and Christian ideas, brought by missionaries. Even though at first glance, these concepts are opposite, they still have similar features. One of these features is the cruelty and aggression with each side defending its interests.

Khan, S. N., Sardaraz, K., Khan, I. U., & Khan, A. K. (2021). Exploring behavioral characteristics in Chinua Achebe’s Things fall apart. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 18(18), 1209-1217.

In their study, Khan et al. describe the critical characteristics of the protagonist. Among the main character traits of Okonkwo, researchers list competitiveness, self-confidence, ambition, and fearlessness. An analysis of Okonkwo’s personality is necessary to understand the motivation for his decisions and actions, as well as the factors that influenced the formation of the character. Moreover, a study by Khan et al. (2021) analyzed the father’s influence on the protagonist, concluding that Okonkwo’s behavioral patterns were formed as the complete opposite of Unoka. This source helps to understand the character’s main characteristics better, as well as to identify scenes in the novel in which the protagonist deviates from his classical model of behavior. I will cite this source in my research project to support my argument about the general perception of the concepts of masculinity and patriarchy by the protagonist.

Kiran, A., & Pareek, S. (2022). Narrativizing patriarchy within the framework of Things Fall Apart. Specialusis Ugdymas, 1(43), 8519-8528.

Kiran and Pareek analyze the patriarchal patterns in the Ibo community depicted in the novel. In particular, researchers focus on how the patriarchal structure of society influenced the distribution of dominant roles. Using the example of Okonkwo and his wives, Kiran and Pareek demonstrate how these dominant roles can be embodied in traditional African culture. Researchers also conclude that society predisposes men to act under specific patterns. I will use the results presented in the source to understand the nature of the patriarchy illustrated in the novel better.

Ngendahayo, J. D. (2021). The protagonist’s masculine perceptions in Things Fall Apart as the sign of Igbo society breakup. Journal of Literature, Languages and Linguistics(JLLL), 75, 5-10.

Like Kiran and Pareek (2022), Ngendahayo (2021) focuses on the role of women in the society depicted in the novel. The research focuses on defining gender roles in the community and how the protagonist perceives it. Ngendahayo focuses on how Okonkwo understands the concept of a man as a husband. This approach helps better understand the Ibo community’s social structure and how radical and brutal Okonkwo is in his views. In addition, the article touches on the topic of confrontation between the indigenous African tribes and the British colonialists, which is also of great importance for my future research. Ngendahayo notes that despite the difference in views, the approaches to solving situations between people of the clan and missionaries have standard features. Thus, the results of this study will help me establish how different the traditional and innovative Roma society is. In addition, I will use this source to support my argument that the missionaries and Okonkwo had similarities despite their apparent differences.

References

Chinua, A. (1959). Things fall apart. [eBook edition]. Anchor Books.

Khan, S. N., Sardaraz, K., Khan, I. U., & Khan, A. K. (2021). Exploring behavioral characteristics in Chinua Achebe’s Things fall apart. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 18(18), 1209-1217.

Kiran, A., & Pareek, S. (2022). Narrativizing patriarchy within the framework of Things Fall Apart. Specialusis Ugdymas, 1(43), 8519-8528.

Ngendahayo, J. D. (2021). The protagonist’s masculine perceptions in Things Fall Apart as the sign of Igbo society breakup. Journal of Literature, Languages and Linguistics(JLLL), 75, 5-10.

Previously, Ikemefuna in the novel Things fall apart seemed to be only a supporting character that helps better reveal the main character’s personal qualities. Nevertheless, after analyzing the novel, I concluded that this character, like many others, contrasts markedly with Okonkwo. Due to this contrast, the protagonist is revealed to the full extent as a father.

First, there is a striking difference between Okonkwo and Ikemefuna in their treatment of Nwoye. Generally speaking, the novel presents two models of the father’s behavior. On the one hand, Okonkwo, who “ruled his household with a heavy hand” (Chinua, 1959) and oppressed his children. The protagonist is an example of an authoritarian father who uses aggression and physical force for educational purposes. On the other hand, Ikemefuna has become, if not a father, a mentor to Nwoye. Ikemefun’s attitude towards his friend can be described as a model of an understanding parent who seeks to share his experience with his ward.

Second, there is a clear contrast between Okonkwo’s attitude towards Ikemefuna and Nwoye. The protagonist considers both boys his sons and invites them to his hut to have dinner together. However, it can be seen that the main character treats Ikemefun with more care and respect. At the same time, there is no difference between the characters of Nwoye and Ikemefuna. Both boys love music, evident in the scenes where Ikemefuna teaches Nwoye how to play the flute, and both have not fully mastered the ins and outs of household management. Nevertheless, it is towards Ikemefun that Okonkwo’s paternal feelings are most evident.

Thus, the novel Things fall apart is built on juxtapositions of concepts, ideas, and characters, one of which is the juxtaposition of Okonkwo and Ikemefun. Therefore, it makes sense to clarify the thesis statement and focus on the contrasts that help the reader better understand the protagonist’s personality, including his masculinity and patriarchy.

Reference

Chinua, A. (1959). Things fall apart. [eBook edition]. Anchor Books.

Introduction

Gender role expectations exist throughout every culture, community, and ethnic group. Cultural gender roles emphasize how women and men perceive their traditions have impacted their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Gender orientation is frequently conflated with conventional masculinity and femininity and gender stereotypes. The presumption is that males are intended to be masculine, while females are expected to be feminine. Notably, when men and women who do not fit within their designated cultural gender roles are regarded as less of an individual, it becomes a gender issue. The struggle between male and female roles is a socially constructed paradigm that varies not only by culture but also by person, as demonstrated in Things Fall Apart by Achebe and We Should All Be Feminists by Adichie.

Igbo’s Heritage and Views on Femininity and Masculinity

The aesthetic of Achebe’s work is significantly influenced by the Igbo people’s oral heritage, as the author shows communal beliefs in the narrative’s content. Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, understood that “it was right to be masculine and violent,” but he still likes the tales his mother used to recite (Achebe 45). For instance, the story of the Earth and Sky highlights the interdependence of masculinity and femininity since the earth requires rainfall and sunlight from the sky to thrive. The narrative illustrates the long-ago feud between Earth and Sky and how Sky stopped the rain for seven years, causing crops to wilt and the dead to be unable to be buried. Nwoye enjoys this narrative, but he knows it is “for foolish women and children,” and his father expects him to be a man (Achebe 46). According to this cultural assumption, certain elements should be in order for everyone to appreciate life. Nonetheless, each gender has a specific function to play in the harmony and progress of the community to which they contribute, and each culture has its own set of societal norms.

Worthy Men are No More: Becoming a Real African Man

Essentially, Things Fall Apart is a narrative about a more profound struggle since the fundamental problem is a collision of cultures, between traditional and western, masculine and feminine. Okonkwo believes that traditional males have lost their societal position and are no longer honorable since Western culture has weakened their determination. Okonkwo, for example, claims that “worthy men are no more” (Achebe 166). His greatest challenge is Umofia, a man who appears to have been integrated into colonizers’ ideas since “when he speaks, he moves our men to impotence” (Achebe 166). Because every gender has favorable and detrimental characteristics, Okonkwo’s weak traits may be considered negative machismo attributes. His views transform masculinity into machismo: aggressive treatment of women and children, status reinforcement through fistfights, and violent resolution of any challenge.

Okonkwo urges his sons think like traditional African males since men in Africa have conventional gender responsibilities. He instructs children to listen to “masculine stories of violence and bloodshed” instead of spending time in the kitchen with their mothers since it is a women’s duty (Achebe 45). He affirms that he will not hesitate to kill any male child who looks to be indolent rather than permit such behavior to bring dishonor to him and his family. Okonkwo employs his ingenuity to guarantee that none of his sons reject the traditional understanding of masculinity in favor of the western philosophy of femininity. Thus, cultural conflict causes men’s violent behaviors and stereotypes that women are soft and weak. Western colonists are responsible for the African system’s failure since they arrived unwelcomely and subjugated the natives and their traditions. The conflict between male and female roles is a socially created paradigm that varies from person to person and culture to culture.

We Should All Be Feminists: True or False?

The African perspective on gender and culture differs from that of Europeans, and the attitudes and habits acceptable in each culture fluctuate. Nonetheless, Adichie discusses the role and impact of feminism on cultural gender roles. The author contends that being a feminist entails comprehending and accepting the existence of sexism and gender stereotypes. Adichie mentions a male acquaintance in her native country of Nigeria who states that being called a feminist is an insult. She writes, “he told me that people were saying my novel was feminist,” and he recommends that she should never declare herself a feminist because feminists are miserable women who cannot marry (Adichie 7). Moreover, a Nigerian professor informs her that feminism does not belong to African culture and that Adichie considers herself a feminist because she was inspired by Western literature.

The writer also recounts an incident in her primary school in Nsukka, a university town in southern Nigeria. Her instructor announces that she would give the class a test, and the student with the best score will be the class monitor. Even though Adichie receives the best mark on the test, her teacher begins to argue that “the monitor had to be a boy” (Adichie 8). The selected youngster has the second-highest test score. Adichie describes the youngster chosen as a kind, sensitive spirit who had no interest in monitoring the class compared to her. This demonstration in We Should All Be Feminists is an apparent cultural conflict on gender roles similar to Things Fall Apart. Women are fragile and frail and incapable of taking responsibility based on their cultural beliefs.

Hence, if only boys are appointed class monitors, people come to believe, even if unconsciously, that the class monitor must be a male. If people continue to see only males as corporate CEOs, it becomes logical that only men can take this role (Adichie 8). The author acknowledges that women and men differ because they have distinct hormones, sexual organs, and biological capacities (Adichie 10). Males govern the world, which made sense a thousand years ago. Because humans lived in a society where physical strength was the most crucial factor in survival, the physically superior individual was likelier to lead. Adichie claims that the world is different nowadays and that the one most suited to lead is not the one who is physically stronger (10). No hormones can make a person more informed, creative, or inventive. People are continually evolving, yet their gender concepts remain the same, resulting in gender conflict.

Gender concerns everywhere in the world, and Adichie in We Should All Be Feminists argues that people could plan for a more balanced future. A world where happy men and women are more authentic to themselves. People spend much time teaching girls that they cannot be furious, aggressive, or harsh, which is terrible enough, but then they laud or justify men for the same reasons (Adichie 12). The author requests the readers to consider how much better society would be if gender norms did not burden individuals.

Conclusion

As established in Things Fall Apart by Achebe and We Should All Be Feminists by Adichie, the conflict between male and female roles is a socially created paradigm that changes not just by culture but also by person. Culture significantly impacts gender roles and causes a cultural clash, but attitude and mindset are more crucial. Therefore, when parenting children, people should prioritize ability, motivation, and interest over gender. Gender stereotypes should be eliminated because people feel defenseless due to cultural gender norms.

Works Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1995.

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. We Should All Be Feminists. Fourth Estate, 2014.

We live in an age where the subject of equality has become a major concern. The subject of gender has been gaining momentum gradually in almost all circles. Authors have also played a key role in trying to portray the role the women have played in society. In this paper we are going to look at Chinua Achebe’s work, that is, Things fall Apart. This book portrays Africans in the Ibo society before the coming of the white man. Through this book, the reader is brought to the realization of the role that the white man played in the destruction of the bonds which existed in the African culture.

In this book, the author, Achebe, gives an analysis of the role that women played in the Ibo society. In this context, women are regarded as the weaker sex, when compared to men. In this case, women are portrayed as vulnerable beings that need assistance from the male counterparts. In essence, women are depicted as human beings who play a major supporting role in society. They are the ones who are supposed to take care of the children and play a supporting role to their husbands. Despite this depiction, there are other roles that some women play. For instance, Chielo the priestess is a spiritual leader who wields immense and unquestionable authority (Chinua). Upon reading this book, I realized that the issues which Achebe is bringing to the fore are issues that I have witnessed and grappled with. This is because the way women are treated in the society where I come from is not something which I agree with.

First and foremost is the fact that the role of women in society is depicted as that of lower-class citizens. In this society, women do not have a say in matters that are considered to be important. What should hold value is the fact that they are supposed to be subservient to men. Essentially, this view does not hold value as it was used in the past. In the current age, things have changed about the position of women in society. In essence, women have become more vocal regarding their rights and position in society. It is worth mentioning, that the recent trends have led to realignment and adjustment of the roles that women play in society. Wife beating is still taking place in some places in the world. For instance, in Africa, there are rampant cases where men beat up their women. Though there are institutions that have been set up to fight this, these habits are still taking place. I do not agree with these acts. I believe that women and men should have an equal platform upon which they should address issues of this nature instead of engaging in fighting. Beating up women is naturally degrading and it is an infringement upon someone’s rights. Thus, this habit should be highly condemned. I have witnessed such experiences in the village where I come from. It was not a nice experience when I witnessed one of my uncles beating up his wife. In this case, the children were the ones who were hurt the most.

What Achebe has brought to the fore does not just display what happens in Ibo, rather it gives a glimpse of what happens in many cultures across the globe. It is important to note that in general women have been viewed in a manner that suggests that they are persons who cannot exist on their own without seeking support from their better halves (Chinua). However, this should not be the case. This is because the society in which we live has demonstrated the fact that women have got what it takes to make it in their endeavors without necessarily having to rely on their male counterparts. Thus, they should both seek these avenues and available opportunities to show what they have to offer in society.

In conclusion, society cannot progress based on competition. Rather, society will only succeed and progressed based on mutual understanding and trust. In this case, women and men in the society will achieve much better results if they are in a position of bringing their differing views about issues on the table with the common goal. As portrayed in normal traditional African society, women and men performed different tasks. The problem arose when the attitudes of the industrialized countries are brought to bear upon these separate activities, and some are judged superior and others as inferior, with women normally performing what is seen as inferior tasks.

In the current society what is important is trying to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different genders and seeking a common ground of working together. Submission should not be used as a weapon to demean humanity; rather it should be used as a tool to appreciate the roles that society is playing. When Okonkwo is abandoned by his Chi and is exiled by his people, he flees to his motherland, where, from the land of the spirits, his mother offers him protection and makes him prosper again (Chinua). Thus, the greatness of motherhood lies in its permanence and reliability. It is the only force that can be considered to be steadfast in its love and cooperativeness which marks one of the unique and great roles that women play in the lives of many people in society.

Works Cited

Chinua, Achebe. Things Fall Apart, London: Heinemann, 1996. Print.

Drama and its Significance in Human Culture

Drama is an important part of human culture because it expresses emotions and feelings through action and dialogue and is a way to tell stories and share experiences. It allows individuals to empathize with others and understand the experience of being humans more because they can relate to characters in the pieces of literature. Drama enables human beings to explore different aspects of humanity that they might not be able to explore in their everyday lives.

Elements Noticed in the Novel

There are elements in the book that help in contrasting characters. One example is when Okonkwo tells Obierika that he has failed “because he did not kill his son” (Chinua, 1994). Obierika responds by saying that Okonkwo has failed because he allowed himself to be ruled by his emotions (Chinua, 1994). This conversation allows the reader to see both Okonkwo’s and Obierika’s humanity and to understand both characters differently. Another example is Okonkwo’s treatment of his wives and children, which demonstrates his fear of being like his father in several ways (Chinua, 1994). He is harsh with them, demanding their complete obedience and often resorting to physical violence.

This week’s Drama and Final Understanding

My work with drama this week provided new ideas about the novel and the final portfolio. I learned that the British intentions toward the blacks affected cultural values in Africa as the novel was set in the colonial period. Achebe chose to write about the traditions and values of the Igbo people to show that they had their own rich culture before the British came. The novel is about the Igbo people, their way of life, and how the British changed it. The Igbo people have different values from the British, and these values conflict throughout the novel. New revelations about literature are useful for the final portfolio and novel. I also learned that the author uses proverbs to add to the novel’s richness by providing insight into the characters’ thoughts and motivations. They act as a reminder of the importance of tradition and the need to respect one’s elders.

Finally, this week’s drama has helped me understand that through drama, people can share their culture and traditions with others, and they have a way to entertain themselves and their families. People can use literature to express their views and emotions in a deliberate manner to influence societal changes. Today, people can still learn much about the ancient Greeks by studying their plays.

Reference

Chinua, A. (1994). Things fall apart. New York: Anchor.

Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is an enthralling must-read chef-d’oeuvre starring Okonkwo, the protagonist who, despite his hatred towards his father, ends up taking after him. From the first line, the author begins by presenting Okonkwo as a well-known man even beyond the nine neighboring villages.

The tall, muscular, and fearful character that had unkempt eyebrows and broad nose resented his father for being lazy and irresponsible. Okonkwo is hard working and successful because he tries hard not to be like his father. However, as the paper unveils, Okonkwo’s life is full of contentious situations ranging from failing his people, being a dependant rather than a provider, and being hopeless amongst others, that perhaps make him resemble his father whom he never wanted to emulate.

Okonkwo resented his father’s failure even when he was merely a boy. Even at the helm of his success, he still remembered how he suffered when his playmate said his father was an agbala. From that moment, he learnt that Agbala, not only meant a woman, but also a name for any man with no title, like his father (Achebe 9).

In some sense, these titles did not mean anything to foreigners. Therefore, by the time Okonkwo came to die, he was more or less like his father. He had titles that could not help him, as there was a new system of law. He had titles, which were useless just like those of his father. When Okonkwo and other people of Umuofia decide to take a substantive measure of burning the church, the District commissioner invites them to his office for what he calls palavers. The six leaders agree to attend because meetings like that were normal.

The court messenger even mocks them because of their titles. ”Who is chief among you?’…These anklets are worn even by any pauper now; does it even cost ten cowries?” (Achebe 152). At this point, Okonkwo who was extremely scared of failure, had failed to defend his honor. He slept in the cells and he could do nothing about it. He feared feeling weak as his father. However, at this time, he was literally weak. The new system did not recognize titles and many titled men were through to prisons despite their social statuses.

Unlike Unoka, Okonkwo wanted to feel powerful in the community. He hence worked tremendously hard to exceed the worthless status of his father. In this endeavor, he hurt people close to him. They eventually resented him just as he had resented his father. It is hence sensible to say that, in the end, Okonkwo failed the people who depended on him, who trusted him and those who wanted to follow his example.

The saddest episode was the Killing of Ikemefuna. The council of elders entrusted this ill-feted boy to Okonkwo. He was one of the two people Umuofia got from Mbaino clan in exchange for their daughter who had died. Mbaino compensated Umuofia giving them a virgin girl and a boy, Ikemefuna (Achebe 8).

He was to stay at Okonkwo’s place for only a little while as the community decided what to do with him. He ended up living there for three years (Achebe 40). He became a mentor to Nwoye, Okonkwo’s eldest son. Ikemefuna, in fact, became like family and called Okonkwo father. Nwoye became more responsible with Ikemefuna around. Nwoye felt like a grown-up (Achebe 40). Something that excited his father clandestinely and he knew it was because of Ikemefuna.

The Oracle of fate finally decided that the boy worth sacrificing to Agbala. Okonkwo and other villagers under the pretext of returning him back home took the boy to the forest to kill him. “While in the forest, a man cleared his throat, this scared Ikemefuna who turned back, the man growled to let him keep moving” (Achebe 47). The boy trembled. His body began to shake. The ma drew his machete, as he raised it Okonkwo looked away but he heard the blow.

The pot the boy was carrying fell and broke. The Boy screamed to Okonkwo, “My father, they have killed me! While running towards him. Because of fear of being thought weak, Okonkwo drew his machete and slew the boy down” (Achebe 47). This was despite his peers warning him of having a hand in the boy’s death. At this moment, Okonkwo was more like his father because the boy depended on him for protection and love. However, he could not provide for him. He was so concerned about his reputation.

He overlooked the sanctity of the life of an innocent boy who, in fact, called him ‘father’. Unoka failed to provide food for his family, which starved, he never paid his debtors and he was a failure for failing to be responsible for his family, his children. Okonkwo did not protect Ikemefuna, under his custody, a boy who looked up to him as a father figure, a boy who wanted emulate him. Nwoye is scared of him. He, in fact, sneaks out of the hut as soon as Okonkwo dozes off.

Okonkwo was strong, hardworking, determined and ambitious, Contrary to his father who was hopeless, lazy and desperate. Okonkwo was a brave worrier while his father Unoka feared bloodshed and a coward who was only happy when he played his flute.

Whenever he would get a little money, he would call his neighbors to celebrate and make merry, drinking palm wine (Achebe 4). Although, he was a man who worked as if possessed, “Okonkwo worked from cock crow until dusk when chicken went to roost” (Achebe 9). With these contrasts, Okonkwo ended up like his father – hopeless.

Okonkwo obeyed the Umuofia norms at the expense of his family. Just like his father who only thought about his happiness, playing the flute and celebrating with palm wine whenever he earned little money. Okonkwo on his part was obsessed about obtaining tittles and growing his social status. In this course, he made silly sacrifices like slaying a boy who called him father.

Even his friend Obierika criticizes him. “If the oracle pronounces death sentence to my son, I would not be the one to kill him” (Achebe 52). That statement disturbed Okonkwo who defended himself that the earth would not punish him for obeying the oracle. However, that was brutal, barbaric and supremely primitive.

During Ezeudu’s funeral, something unexpected happened. Okonkwo accidently blew-up his gun whose bullet inadvertently killed a sixteen-year-old boy, Ezeudu’s son. He quickly flew away. However, as the community laws dictated, he had to atone for his sins by shedding the blood of a clansman. The villagers are aggrieved.

They set fire on his houses, destroying his red walls, killing the animals, and demolishing his barn. The earth goddess wanted this justice upon Okonkwo as it were. The villagers were merely messengers. They did not hate Okonkwo. Even his greatest friend, Obierika was among the destroyers. Their duty was simply to cleanse the land, already contaminated by Okonkwo: killing a fallow clansman (Achebe 125).

He was to live in exile for seven years. At this moment, Okonkwo has nothing. The whole fortune he had accumulated and worked hard for is nowhere following the destruction. He was as poor as his father was. The man who thought on issues, Obierika was thinking more that ever (Achebe 125), but he did not find answers. Obierika only remembers that, sometimes in life, a man needs to reevaluate his relationship with the society, and God (Achebe 125).

This introspection was a sign that the society in which Okonkwo lived was ready to make changes. It was as if a curse was following Okonkwo. His father once went to an agbala to consult why his farming was not delightful. The priestess of the Agbala answered Unoka that he had nobody to blame but himself – for his laziness. In the same fashion, Okonkwo could only blame himself.

After his exile, many things in the clan had changed. There were no more rituals, no more titles, and no more tribal land traditions. The Ugwugwu had been unmasked. The oracle was no more but a modern court of law for justice. He just realized he lost all things he grew up knowing that they defined a man. He could not go up against the system. He was weak and a terrible failure, as he could not save his clan. He ended up emulating his father.

Works Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday. 1959. Print.

The population of the world exists as a series of ethnic and racial groupings. These groupings form the building blocks for communities, nations, and regions, which in many cases share a common system of knowledge that defines their way of life. Varied as they are, there is no scientific criterion of pitching one culture as being superior to others as ethnocentrism would put it. One globally acclaimed endeavor to show the sustainability of different cultures is Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart in which he depicts Africans as having been complete as pertains to the culture. This essay seeks to establish the strengths and weaknesses of the Igbo culture as portrayed in Things Fall Apart to assess the author’s success in achieving his main goal.

The story is set in an Igbo clan, Umuofia, which consists of nine villages throughout which the protagonist, Okwonkwo, is well known for his wrestling prowess. Okwonkwo is portrayed as a violent man who has a no-nonsense attitude towards matters pertaining to the Igbo culture. Okwonkwo’s violent nature is a portrayal of a typical Igbo on the view of violence. Igbo’s position is rigid on violence in the introductory parts of the novel. Achebe notes, “To show affection was a sign of weakness; the only thing worth demonstrating was a strength” (p. 28), and to appease Umuofia for an accidental murder, a virgin, and a young boy are given as a sacrifice by the murderers.

The same fate befalls Okwonkwo when he kills a boy accidentally at a funeral. The penalty is not compromised despite his standing in the clan. His homestead is violently brought down and animals are killed. On another occasion, Enoch, a convert to Christianity, unmasks an egwugwu in public. This action leads to the violent burning of Enoch’s homestead including the church where he fellowshipped. These examples pitch the Igbo as people whose culture took a rigid stand on culture. However, this position changes on different occasions throughout the book such as when Okwonkwo is punished due to breaking the week of peace by severely beating his wife. When the clan refuses to join Okwonkwo’s onslaught on the district commissioner’s messengers, this position is changed.

On other fronts, the Igbo are portrayed as being an organized people. There exists a well-established democratic system in Umuofia where the ndichie, elders, gather all Umuofia to make important decisions (Achebe180). Through this move, the Igbo attempt to propagate an air of equal and fair treatment of all. Everyone who has something to say is given a chance to do so in the gatherings of the clan. Achebe posits, “Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered” (8). Okwonkwo strives to amass wealth and earn a place among the mighty and be completely delinked from his father’s weakness. Umuofia encourages hard work among its people.

Contrary to popular belief that Africans were primitive and they would go to war without any reasonable cause, in Umuofia, the oracle would sometimes forbid war. War was only an option when the cause was justifiable (Achebe 16). This aspect brings about an element of a strong religious belief among the Igbo. Okwonkwo’s position pertaining to departure from one’s culture is uncompromising, and he proves this assertion by disowning his eldest son when the son converts to Christianity. Unfortunately, he holds such extreme views yet ends up much like his father when he hangs himself.

Chinua Achebe, even though he intended to depict Africans as people who were capable of taking care of themselves in their traditional settings, he still presents a balanced perspective of this culture. Despite all events in the novel, the final position is that Africans were capable in virtually all spheres of life and they would still have made progress albeit with some influence from external cultures, as is the case all around the world.

Works Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart, London: Heinemann Ltd, 1958. Print.

“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe starts out with verses from “The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats and represents one of the major themes of the book. The title and the opening lines very much portray the matters that went on in the village, making it the bulk of the story. The destruction of personal and public systems that were instilled in time represents the change that is inevitable and can be seen all over the world.

The book illustrates the time when the white race was settling in new lands and colonizing nations, tribes and individuals. The struggle between the refusal to accept another nation’s way of life and personal hardships is represented through Okonkwo and everything that happens in his family and village. Historically, the time when indigenous people were overtaken by the newcomers can be seen throughout. The first contact was either violent overtake of the land and people or it was the slow convergence to an unknown faith. In “Things Fall Apart” the native people are subjected to a new religion and cannot understand why and how they must accept a new belief system (Achebe 67).

Okonkwo is shown as a strong and rebellious figure who refuses to accept a new way of life and beliefs that are foreign to the native ones. The title signifies the “falling apart” of a previous way of life, the village and Okonkwo’s personal connections. The reality becomes something very different for people, as they are faced with a world of the white people who completely misunderstand and harshly segregate the native population. Even though the villagers want to resist, they are not sure how and thus, focus on adapting to the changing world. There is a direct connection between how the people are separated from their social and cultural lives and how Okonkwo is segregated and cast out of the village due to his actions.

The process of the main character’s division from the world, village and even own family shows how things can really change. The movement of society and individual shift are sudden and so, people are unable to adjust to the new world. Achebe was very specific in choosing such title because for the people and individual characters the world does “fall apart”. When Okonkwo is forced to kill Ikemefuna things really begin to look grim. The depression that follows brings about a completely different life for the character and it leads to a total demise and destruction (Achebe 19).

The beginning, middle, and end of the story are very different. At the start, the reader is unaware of what is to come and when the breakdown of the tribe and individual begins, it is unexpected. At the same time, the reader begins to understand and change with the story where by the end, there is so much pain felt through the villagers and personal struggle. The physical and moral battles that people fight show the true beginning of a changing world where it did not matter how well the society was established, another world overtook without discrimination and mercy.

Chinua Achebe has accomplished the goal of displaying the changing world and detrimental actions of people towards other people. The inevitability and personal struggles are presented as unavoidable, so it is clear how time and circumstances can shape the world and the lives of individuals

Works Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York, United States: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1995. Print.

Interaction with other human beings is the crucial element of life, as it directly affects the emotional and psychological development of the person and the formation of his/her worldview. Therefore, the society surrounding the person can be considered the most important factor influencing the formation of one’s views and opinions.

Though modern people often claim that the most important thing is to be faithful to one’s personal values, the fulfillment of values regarded as essential by the people surrounding the person remains much more influential. Cultural history is one of the vital factors that have an impact on the attitudes and beliefs prevailing in the society.

Therefore, cultural history often shapes the person’s sense of identity, as people regard their cultural background as the essential constituent of their personality. If the person loses the ability to distinguish between cultural history and his/her identity, the consequences can be rather destructive, as in the case of Okonkwo from Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.”

The example of Okonkwo illustrates how cultural history can be connected to the sense of one’s identity. Okonkwo considers being devoted to the traditions originating from the history of his tribe, the most important duty in his life. His personality is inseparable from the culture of the environment where he grew up, as all of his actions are guided by the strong willing to be a respectful member of his community.

Okonkwo’s obsession with trying to demonstrate masculine traits is directly related to the cultural history of his tribe. One of the brightest episodes revealing the dominance of cultural history over Okonkwo’s personality is the scene of the murder of Ikemefuna. Though Okonkwo loves the boy and treats him as a part of his family, he ignores his personal feelings and attitudes in order to demonstrate his devotion to the traditions of his tribe and avoid being considered effeminate.

Okonkwo suppresses his personal wishes in favor of the traditions and beliefs of the tribe. Such an example demonstrates that cultural history can be not only an influential factor but a dominating one. Some people lose the ability to distinguish their personal beliefs and opinions from the attitudes of cultural history. In such cases, the identity of a person becomes inseparable from his/her cultural history.

The destructive nature of excessive devotion to cultural history is also expressed it the person’s inability to exist outside his/her culture. In such a case, a person can lose the motivation to live and experience severe psychological problems if certain events modify the cultural environment or force him/her to move to another environment.

For example, Okonkwo fails to adjust to the new conditions after the culture of his tribe experiences the influence of white Christians. Okonkwo’s sense of identity is that much inseparable from the cultural history that the changes in the culture of his tribe put a serious threat to his ability to lead a normal life.

Many people in the real world experience similar difficulties related to the significant stress caused by the impact of modern tendencies at the culture they feel indivisible with. Such a situation can have significant negative effects on the life of a person as the loss of the sense of identity makes the person disorientated in life goals and vulnerable.

The phenomenon of the deep connection between cultural history and the sense of identity has its roots in the history of mankind and the specifics of the human psyche. Most developed societies have put a strong emphasis on promoting the traditions and culture prevailing in them. Being devoted to the values dominating the culture of the society has always been one of the main requirements for achieving success in the community.

Therefore, people have always been forced to consider cultural history as an essential element of their sense of identity. The human psyche is another factor contributing to the significant role of cultural history. The human psyche can function well if the person fulfills the needs of a social creature. Existing outside of society causes severe negative psychological consequences.

The feeling of belonging to some community and the willingness to be respected and praised by the members of society is one of the essential needs of any human. Any action the person does has value only if other people witness and appreciate it. That is why the factors influencing the dominating views of society, such as cultural history, have a strong influence on the personality and shapes his/her sense of identity.

There is no doubt that humans are highly social creatures. The cultural history as an important heritage of the society plays a crucial role in forming a person’s sense of identity. The excessive influence of cultural history can lead to the situation when the person’s identity is inseparable from the traditions of its society. When the connection between cultural history and one’s sense of identity becomes too strong, the person can experience significant difficulties, as in the case of Okonkwo from “Things Fall Apart.”

Traditional religion as well as religious beliefs and practices are important issues which are discussed in ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe. The major theme focuses on the conflict between the Igbo society and culture as well as the religion of the colonists.

The Umuofia society is religious as it is characterized by the worship of Chuckwu the chief the god, spirits and the ancestors. It is clear that the religion practiced in Umuofia is animistic in nature similar to other traditional religions in other parts of Africa. The people of Umuofia believed that most of both the living and non living things had the ability of possessing souls and the spirits.

For instance, members of the society believed that forests like the evil forests had sprits of evil and that is why twins were abandoned there as they were considered to carry bad luck. Further studies indicate that it was possible for a man to buy a craving in the market and make it to be an object of worship after invoking his spirit in it. There were other spirits like the spirits of rivers, lakes, wells and the earth, to name just a few.

In the Umuofia society, men and women were regarded differently as they did not hold the same positions. For instance, men were rulers as well as leaders while women were considered as servants.

Therefore, the spirits of women were inferior to the spirits of men although women were also allowed to carry out religious rituals since they could become priests. According to Achebe (pp. 30), the Umuofia community had a female deity who was known as ‘Ani’. In addition, there was also a male deity who was known as Agbala or the ‘Oracle of the Hills and the Caves’ (Achebe pp.30).

According to Achebe, (pp. xxxv) ‘chi’ was a personal god for an individual which had the ability to follow people throughout their whole life. One of the major characteristic of ‘chi’ was the fact that it was capable of either being good or bad. Such a characteristic was very important because it determined the success of an individual.

Therefore, incase someone had a good ‘chi’, such a person ended up being successful while people with a bad chi were full of misfortunes. However, although ‘chi’ was powerful, a person had the power of determining his destiny. In addition, medicine men could intervene and help someone with a bad ‘chi’ to become successful.

The Umoufia society was powerful among its neighbors and was greatly feared. The neighbors considered going into war with it as a last option, incase all the other options failed. The priests and medicine men who were vey powerful contributed greatly to its superiority. Its source of the military power was the war medicine although the age of the same was not known. The medicine which was the source of the strength was known as agadi-nwayi which meant an old woman.

Villagers believed that an old woman with one leg was often seen by someone who passed by the shrine which was centrally placed in the evenings. Since the villagers believed that she was sacrificed when the village was being formed, that explains why she was capable of being powerful. In addition, the villagers believed that performing religious practices and rituals made someone to be powerful. As a result, the woman could have derived her power from the sacrifices that took place during the formation of the village.

Works Cited

Achebe, Chinua. Things fall apart. Oxford: Heinemann, 1996. Print.