Igbo Culture In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

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The book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe brings up a lot of important points historically and culturally that bring readers into the Igbo culture and much larger issues going on during the time period. Readers see from the very beginning important themes that are evident throughout the entire book. How certain situations cause there to be change and the importance of societal status in the Igbo community. Early on in the book we are introduced to how valued it is to be considered “manly” and abide by the standards that are set by society for men and women. Later on readers see how by not complying and going against self causes problem for the protagonist, Okonkwo leading to a tragic end. From the very beginning as readers we are exposed …show more content…

They have caused a separation between the people so it makes it easier to impose a new government system on them as well as they are no longer unified. In a conversation with a member of the community Okonkwo explains how he realizes the way in which they are being colonized, “The White man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.” (176). The White man continues to bring in ways to get the Igbo people to abide by their structure of life. Trade for example, brings in a new aspect of making a profit for them. Achebe goes on to say, “the white man had indeed brought a lunatic religion, but had also built a trading store and for the first time palm-oil and kernel became things of great price, and much money flowed into Umuofia” (178). They have now become blinded to what the White man is truly trying to do and began to favor the idea of profiting from it as well. Lastly, we come to see how it finally ends up leading to the tragedy of Okonkwo taking his own life. He can no longer live under the circumstances that have changed his entire surroundings. It is no longer like home to him and he has lost all hope for it. So instead of trying to deal with it all and how different thing have become for them he decides to take his life. In conclusion, Things Fall Apart brings up very important themes and issues that take place not only in Nigeria, but all throughout Africa. The idea of how to control the people and gain the most benefit from them is seen throughout history. As well as the the gender roles that are in place and the importance of maintaining prestige in the community. Overall showing the spiraling effect that one change

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