Cultural Differences In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe
analytical Essay
960 words
Culture makes us who we are. Each individual has their own culture from their experiences in life and is developed from societal influences. The various cultures around the world influence us in different ways which we experience at least once in our lifetime. There are occasions, especially in history, where cultures clash with one another. For instance, the English colonization in Africa changed their culture. Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart, portrayed this change in the Igbo people’s society, especially through the character Okonkwo in the village of Umuofia; the introduction of Western ideas challenged him. In the novel Things Fall Apart, the author Chinua Achebe introduces to us Okonkwo whose character’s response to the …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe, of things fall apart, portrayed the change in the igbo people's society through the character okonkwo in umuofia.
- Analyzes how achebe uses indirect characterization to show how okonkwo's fame throughout the nine villages from his great strength and talent in fighting.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's response to the cultural collision made an impact on the novel. he was in conflict with the ideas of the white men and the missionaries.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe wrote things fall apart to shine a light on the perspective of the nigerians during colonization. he demonstrates the struggle of dealing with forced western ideas into okonkwo's character.
He was in great conflict with the ideas of the white men and the missionaries. Okonkwo saw that their beliefs had not only changed the daily life of the Ibo, but it also changed the people themselves: “He mourned for the warlike men of Umuofia, who had so unaccountably become soft like women” (Achebe 183). The author uses strong diction to compare the men before and after colonization. This quote also portrays Okonkwo’s opinion towards the cultural collision. He values strength and masculinity immensely because of his fear of appearing weak like his father Unoka. When he describes that the men of Umuofia changed to be soft like women, this shows how much he dishonors the Western ideas and how it has taken over the village. He made an attempt to get rid of the Western influence by urging the tribe to fight like men, but they refuse to. He was determined and still attempted to furthermore encourage the people of Umuofia to revolt against the new culture. He realizes that his attempts to return the village back to the way it was before were futile. He knew that Christianity was tearing his people apart, but knew he was incapable of making change to help his people. Okonkwo then starts to feel hopeless and abandoned by his clan, which causes him to commit suicide by hanging himself: “Obierika… turned suddenly to the District Commissioner and said ferociously: ‘That man was one of the greatest men …show more content…
It challenged his identity by losing his high title in the clan due to the change in the village as well as new customs. He responded to the clash of cultures by attempting to encourage others to fight in his mission to get rid of the Western influences in the Ibo community. Because he failed to do so, he lost hope and refused to accept the new culture which caused him to hang himself. The conflict between Okonkwo and his clan’s decision to change their way of living was portrayed through characterization and plot development. Achebe gives the people of Africa a voice with Okonkwo’s character who stayed true to his roots. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe reveals to us Okonkwo’s response as the cultural collision of the English and Ibo challenged his sense of
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- Tragedy in Chinua Achebe´s Things Fall Apartanalytical essaySet in Africa in the 1890s, Chinua Achebe's ‘Things Fall Apart’ is about the tragedy of Okonkwo during the time Christian missionaries arrived and polluted the culture and traditions of many African tribes. Okonkwo is a self-made man who values culture, tradition, and, above all else, masculinity. Okonkwo’s attachment to the Igbo culture and tradition, and his own extreme emphasis on manliness, is the cause of his fall from grace and eventual death.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes chinua achebe's 'things fall apart' about okonkwo, a self-made man who values culture, tradition, and masculinity. his attachment to igbo culture and tradition is the cause of his fall from grace and eventual death.
- Describes okonkwo as an important man who has risen from nothing to a man of great wealth and social status. his relationship with his dead father is the root of his violent and ambitious conduct.
- Explains that the igbo are deeply patriarchal and violence is not uncommon. this male-dominance is inherent in the clan's language.
- Explains that okonkwo is deeply dedicated to the traditions and social hierarchies of his people. his sense of self-worth is dependent upon the traditional standards by which society judges him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's idea of manliness is an extreme version of the clan’s. he associates masculinity with aggression and feels that anger is the only emotion that he should display.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's ‘surrogate son’ ikemefuna exemplifies all that he wants his own son to be like and almost loves him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo is determined to prove he is unshakeable. the priestess of agbala caries ezinma to her cave.
- Analyzes okonkwo's seven-year exile from his village reinforces his notion that men are stronger than women and reminds himself that his maternal kinsmen are not as war-like and fierce as he remembers the villagers of umuofia to be.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's gun explodes during ezeudu’s funeral, killing one of his sons. even though the death is accidental, the act is an abomination to the igbo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo had hoped to return to his fatherland with joy and celebration, but he finds umuofia sadly changed.
590 wordsRead More - 'Things Fall Apart': An Evaluationanalytical essayThings Fall Apart: An Evaluation In “Things Fall Apart,” Chinua Achebe tells two different stories at the same time. One is of Okonkwo, the villager whose rise to power is halted because of all of his misfortunes. The other is of Okonkwo’s village, Umuofia, and its struggle to hold on to its cultural tradition while facing colonialism from the West. The title, “Things Fall Apart,” describes perfectly what happens to both Okonkwo and his village. Okonkwo’s life falls apart and as a result, he commits suicide by hanging himself. The cultural tradition of Umuofia falls apart, and becomes influenced by the West. In “Things Fall Apart,” Achebe uses Okonkwo and the village’s falling out to show how African culture, as well as other cultures around the world, suffered as a result of Westernization. In the book, Achebe focuses mainly on the character of Okonkwo. Okonkwo’s story follows the general pattern of a Greek tragedy. He experiences many successes in the beginning, but everything eventually comes crashing down on him. His early life is the typical success story. He starts poor, but works hard to earn everyone’s respect. From the beginning he is disgusted with his father. He is a lazy old man who borrows money and never pays it back. Okonkwo realizes that he does not want to be like his father, and it is this hatred that drives him to work hard. After his father’s death, Okonkwo pays off his debts, and starts his long journey to the top of the clan. In a short time, Okonkwo...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" describes okonkwo and his village, umuofia, and its struggle to hold on to its cultural tradition while facing colonialism.
- Narrates how okonkwo's hard work pays off and he earns three out of the four village titles and is recognized as the greatest warrior in umuofia.
- Analyzes how achebe's book, "things fall apart," shows how westernization led to the demise of many ancient cultures.
814 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart Essayanalytical essayIn the novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, a cultural clash between Ibo culture and Western culture was assessed through fictional literature. Several characters reacted to this in their unique ways, either by accepting or rejecting European beliefs. However, the character Okonkwo, a proud, strong and well respected warrior in the Igbo Society had a significant reaction to the new culture. When the new, western culture comes to Igbo society, Okonkwo, of Clan Umuofia, responds by using violence as the only choice. This decision carried dire consequences, and lead to Oknonkwo’s death.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" assesses the cultural clash between ibo culture and western culture through fictional literature. okonkwo, a proud, strong and well respected warrior in the igboko society, reacts by using violence as the only choice.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was a strict traditionalist, valuing strength and despising anything he proclaimed as "soft". europeans introduced their religion, christianity, culture, and government, while denouncing the traditional igbo ideas.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's reaction to new culture included abandoning diplomacy and slaughtering europeans and missionaries.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's reaction included the destruction of the christian church, before he slaughtered a missionary or called for the other clans to wage war.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's reaction to the introduction of western ideas into igbo society was a violent one. his clan refused to go to war and he committed suicide by hanging.
736 wordsRead More - Cultural Change Explored in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayWilliam James, a famous American philosopher, once stated, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives”. This quotation effectively illustrates how change in one’s attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs can alter the environment in which one lives. This concept is clearly demonstrated throughout the novel Things Fall Apart, authored by Chinua Achebe, by establishing a connection through the development of its characters and the change in traditional African tribal villages seen in the Nineteenth Century. It will be established how various characters demonstrated by the author throughout the novel exemplify how change in one’s attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs can alter the environment in which one lives addressed by William James’s quote above. First, by analyzing Achebe’s development of Okonkwo’s character through his initial character description and the emergence of outsiders, it is evident that he is portrayed as an old fashioned character that is less responsive to change. Secondly, through examining Nwoye’s character, Okonkwo’s son, it becomes apparent that the youth in the novel are more open-minded, easily persuadable and more adaptive to societal changes. Lastly, uncovering the meaning behind the arrival of European missionaries, it becomes apparent that Achebe defines this group as being a “disease”, poisoning the society in which Okonkwo lives. The author look’s at individuals as being critical and influential figures in shaping the environment to which they belong, beginning with Okonkwo.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's character, okonkwo, is portrayed as an old-fashioned character that is less responsive to change.
- Analyzes how okonkwo, the main character in achebe's novel, begins as an individual who holds great power in the umuofia clan due to his superior fighting abilities and influential personality.
- Analyzes how ikemefuna's relationship with okonkwo makes it comfortable for him to leave him with his younger son. the white, unusual men convert people to believe that the african traditions and beliefs were incorrect.
- Analyzes the character development of okonkwo's son in umuofia. he is a powerful, influential young man following the footsteps of his father, but he is totally opposite.
- Analyzes how okonkwo kills ikemefuna in order to live up to his name. his upset son, nwaye, moved to a church owned by missionaries to convert and forget their past.
- Explains that the missionary people came into the umuofia clan and several other tribes to increase the knowledge and understanding of being a missionary. the district commissioner of nigeria encouraged them to go out and control the minds of these people.
- Concludes that change in one's life can alter their inner and outer aspects of their lives as well. the revolutionizing society in african tribes is corrupting according to okonkwo.
1874 wordsRead More - Cultural Collision In Things Fall Apartanalytical essayCulture collisions are in our everyday lives here in America in our own little towns. We might not notice our culture changing because it is a part of our everyday lives. Culture collisions cause some people to triumph and some people to fail. In the novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the Ibo tribe did not see these culture clashes everyday until the “white men” showed up and influenced the Ibo to change their ways. Achebe shows how many of the characters react to this culture shock. Obierika is one of the main characters that shows his sense of identity through this culture collision.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" shows how many of the characters react to this culture shock.
- Analyzes how obierika was an intelligent man before the culture collision came into play. he thought through all of his problems before he faced them and was welcoming to changes in society.
- Analyzes how obierika knew that okonkwo was a soft man on the inside and that he needed help to avoid self-destruct.
- Analyzes how obierika's thoughts on other ibo villages before the colonization began were that the other villages were believing in the wrong things.
- Analyzes how obierika was trying to change okonkwo's ways while the british were on their way to convert the ibo people to christianity.
- Narrates how obierika saw okonkwo's son is with the christians and decided to visit him again to see if he had changed his ways.
- Analyzes how obierika was effected by the cultural collision because he began to see the other side of the collision. his friend, okonkwo, committed suicide.
- Analyzes how obierika was okonkwo's guide in the novel. he was flexible and thought before he took any action. the ibo tribe lost the battle.
821 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebeanalytical essayThings Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is an African novel which happened in 19th Century. Achebe narrates the story mainly about Okonkwo’s whole life in one of the nine villages called Umuofia in Nigeria and the clashes as well as influences to the village from colonization of Europeans. The clashes include reactions and misconception after the first arrival of white people and the effect which missionaries bring about to the village from many aspects such as belief, family and culture. Beyond that, there are large amount of description of the background and details of the villagers’ daily lives are provided to readers for acquainting with Ibo culture. As a consequence, the changes which white people bring about to the village are vivid and unimaginable compared with their previous peaceful life. The conflicts generate from violence and misunderstanding between the Europeans and villagers with addition of colonial process among villages which lead to replacement of Christian domination rather than the Ibo culture.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe narrates the story of okonkwo's life in one of the nine villages called umuofia in nigeria and the clashes and influences from colonization of europeans.
- Analyzes how violence and misunderstanding between two parties are generated since the first unexpected arrival of missionaries in umuofia.
- Analyzes how the white have an ulterior development of process by establishing their status with their stronger ambition to colonize in the mbanta village.
- Analyzes how the downfall of ibo society and the new christian religion's domination appear especially after the expelling of okonkwo.
- Concludes that the way of white people judge and educate provides a better way to survive and live.
1125 wordsRead More - Cultures and Relationsanalytical essayThe culture perceived in Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, is specific to a Nigerian tribe in connection with nine villages. The main character in this novel is Okonkwo. To begin to recognize who Okonkwo is, Achebe first describes Okonkwo’s father, Unoka. Pertaining to culture, Unoka was different than many in his. He was poor, and borrowed amounts of money from others, often without repaying. He also was fearful of even the sight of blood, so becoming a warrior was not in the cards for him, as well as being perceived as a strong man in his village. Because of Unoka’s weak and lazy way of life, Okonkwo grew up ashamed of how his father lived, forcing him to develop opposite traits and goals for his own life. He has three wives and several children. Although Okonkwo grows up much stronger and angrier than his father, there are times that threads of Unoka’s characteristics show through.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that one's culture depends on their location’s rate of development, the connections with other locations, and especially the influences of different historical times relevant to their culture.
- Analyzes how achebe's novel, things fall apart, is specific to a nigerian tribe in connection with nine villages.
- Illustrates how american culture differs from theirs. manliness and strength are important to many families, but as time progresses, people and ideals are changing.
- Explains that communication can only be defined to a specific location because of the different levels of development and technology differing in countries and even in individual states.
- Analyzes how achebe's novel shows how women are treated as if they aren't equals. modern ideas of marriage and relationships are becoming more common over tradition and typicality.
- Compares the success of mr. brown and reverend james smith in the novel.
- Opines that they can see themselves in okonkwo in the way that he was motivated by his father, but not because of negative connotations.
- Opines that being a hardworking individual has allowed okonkwo to reach his goal. although he could not overcome every challenge posed to him but definitely surpassed his father’s level of success.
969 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayThings Fall Apart is an English novel by the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe which was published in 1957. Throughout the book the role of customs and traditions is very important and decides the fate of men, women, and children. Some of the customs practiced in this culture would certainly be frowned upon in the West yet are perfectly acceptable. It talks of the Ibo society. The protagonist of the novel is Okonkwo. He is a respected and influential leader within the Igbo community of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. He first earns personal fame and distinction, and brings honor to his village, when he defeats Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling contest. The first part of the book deals with the proof of tribal life in Africa and the rise in power and authority of Okonkwo. The author highlights his strengths as well as his obsession with success. Okonkwo does not show any love in dealing with his three wives and children. This part reveals that Okonkwo actions are often irrational and imprudent, which will be the cause of his eventual fall. We learn about the traditions, superstitions and religious faiths of the villagers.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how post colonialism deals with cultural identity in colonized societies and the ways in which writers articulate that identity. things fall apart is a good novel that serves as reminder of what nigeria once was.
- Analyzes how things fall apart is an english novel by the nigerian author chinua achebe. the protagonist is okonkwo, an influential leader within the igbo community of umuofia in eastern nigeria.
- Analyzes how okonkwo exiles to his mother's land for seven years and the entry of the white man into the lives of african people.
- Analyzes how okonkwo returned to his village and his disappointment at the lack of interest in his arrival. the village has virtually ‘fallen apart’ with the entry of the white men.
- Analyzes how criticizes the british for their lack of sensitivity and laments the failure of okonkwo to save his people.
- Explains that mr. brown is a missionary in okonkwo's native village who tries to make the relationship between the christians and the villagers as stable as possible despite the dedication of some of his converts.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's life is on both sides of the pre- and post-european imperial era.
- Compares the igbo way of life before and after the arrival of europeans.
- Explains that the umuofia clan has an elaborate religious system based on their natural environment. the forest is respected and feared as a chief god, the evil forest.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's inner conflict with himself is one of the major themes in the novel.
- Analyzes how okonkwo experiences the conflict of traditionalist and new ways of the europeans. he is surprised by how things have changed and people follow the white man’s way of living.
- Analyzes how achebe uses vernacular language to convince the europeans, nigeria's potential in writing a novel in english while using the african language within passages.
- Analyzes how achebe uses his language to draw the reader in with one's own language and then show them an "inside" view of okonkwo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo, the main character, is a symbol representing the african natives who stand up against the changes brought in by the european settlers.
- Analyzes how achebe depicts the locusts in the novel as representing the white settlers and the igbo. okonkwo is associated with burning and fire itself.
- Analyzes how jonathan culler addresses the issues of feminism in things fall apart and concludes that women in the book are oppressed groups with little power.
- Analyzes how critics have compared things fall apart to a greek tragedy, while okonkwo is an allegorical everyman figure embodying existential paradoxes of the igbo culture in transition.
- Opines that okonkwo was doing what he had to do to protect his people and his land from the white people. he was a hero in his own way.
- Cites achebe, chinua, and suzanne pavlos' cliffs notes on things fall apart.
3008 wordsRead More - The Theme Of Fear In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayHe transferred his fears into the context of Umuofia and the traits that society valued, but what was really the driving force in his decisions “was the fear of himself, lest he should be found to resemble his father” (17). The values of Umuofia resembled the polar opposite of what Unoka was and Okonkwo twisted his motivations around in his mind and presented them to himself and the community as derived from Umuofia’s traditions. From this delusion, Okonkwo established his ultimate goal of becoming a revered member of the village, possessing many titles, and achieving anything necessary displaying his prominence in the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the character of okonkwo in chinua achebe's things fall apart was driven by fear, a fear of change and losing his self-worth.
- Explains how okonkwo was ashamed of his father, unoka, who was unable to feed his family. the unpredictability of receiving enough food at a young age was enough to inspire fear and embarrassment.
- Analyzes how okonkwo rejected the ways of his father, who was deeply indebted to other members of umuofia, holding no titles, to the point where his whole life was dominated by fear, failure, and weakness.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's disparity between his true and warped motivations led him to behave in ways which shocked other members of umuofia with his apparent disregard for others.
- Analyzes how the ibo ways faded through the novel, reaching a head in part two, bringing the downfall of okonkwo.
- Analyzes how okonkwo didn't argue with the banishment that was the standard punishment when he accidentally killed another umuofia member during a funeral ceremony. obierika mourned his loss and questioned the reasoning behind the punishment.
- Narrates how okonkwo's rebellion against his father continued when he was deprived of umuofia and the opportunity to fulfill his passion of becoming a clan lord.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's suicide conformed to the ways of umuofia. the white men attracted the lowest positions and those who questioned the previous order.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's resistance to change was irreversible and his final downfall as the ibo ways changed.
1481 wordsRead More - Global Perspectives in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayWhen I read Things Fall Apart, I had a clear mind of what a life could be like Okonkwo’s. For the rest of the reading, a question was contacting me in different places of the novel. Okonkwo was an angry man in front of his Nigerian tribe and changed when Christian missionaries came to the Ibo village; also, I responded to the book, and my personal applications to a different culture were related to a missionary trip that was a powerful one back in 1956 in Ecuador.
In this essay, the author
- Describes okonkwo as an angry nigerian man who changed when christian missionaries came to ibo village. their personal applications to a different culture were related to missionary trips in ecuador in 1956.
- Explains the connection between the novel and the operation auca missionary trip in ecuador in 1956.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's novel has a reasonable answer with explanations that were shown with great understanding.
- Analyzes how the missionaries shared some words to the nigerian natives on page 157.
- Explains that the christian missionaries were part of killing the sacred python and okoli killing it.
- Analyzes how some nigerians didn't appreciate the gospel and the missionaries' words.
- Explains how they responded to things fall apart with confidence and curiosity because they were wondering how okonkwo and his tribe would react with the christian missionaries.
- Narrates how they did some cultural activities while doing mission work in honduras, belize, and mcloud, oklahoma.
- Opines that it's important to make relationships when going on mission trips because the people around them are followers of god and they will see them in heaven.
- Describes okonkwo's life as an angry man in front of his nigerian tribe and changed when christian missionaries came to the ibo village.
936 wordsRead More