Okonkwo's Changes In Things Fall Apart
analytical Essay
911 words
Change scares people. Humans want to stay in their own safe little bubble, but how would they react if giant changes were made to everything they held dear? Chinua Achebe’s book, Things Fall Apart, revolves around Okonkwo, a leader of the Ibo clan in Umorfia, a Nigerian village. Okonkwo is a respected man who lives a good life, with many wives, and many children. This all changes when Christian missionaries begin to insert themselves into the tribal community, attempting to coerce many clan members into accepting their beliefs. Okonkwo is a strong, powerful man, who responds with hostility to the new culture around him, leading to his eventual fall from grace and disgrace of his legacy. To begin, Okonkwo was a fierce and powerful man before first confronting Western …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's book, things fall apart, revolves around okonkwo, a leader of the ibo clan in umorfia, nigeria.
- Explains that okonkwo was a fierce and powerful man before confronting western influence. his strong and stubborn identity leads to many problems when things change.
- Analyzes how okonkwo responds with hatred and anger to the new culture he is experiencing. he doesn't believe or respect the missionaries or their mission, and thinks of them as a joke.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's unwillingness to adapt and live peacefully with this new community causes him to make terrible decisions and leads to his peers losing respect for him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's anger at a new culture and unwillingness to change cause his legacy to be completely tarnished.
Starting off, Achebe states, “It happened so quickly that the six men did not see it coming. There was only a brief scuffle, too brief to even allow the drawing of a sheathed machete. The six men were handcuffed and led into the guardroom” (194). Okonkwo and some of his tribesmen, unwilling to change, go armed into the missionaries’ courthouse, and are captured and arrested. The amount of dislike and hatred Okonkwo has for these men cause his arrest. Next, Achebe ends Okonkwo’s story on a discouraging and terrible note, as she writes, “Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body (…) Then they came to the tree from which Okonkwo’s body was dangling, and they stopped dead” (204/207). Okonkwo, who is too stubborn to change and be a part of the new culture, angrily kills one of the missionaries’ messengers. This leads him to kill himself, completely discrediting his life as a strong man, while also disgracing his legacy. Okonkwo’s life has completely changed, and his stubbornness was the
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- 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 - How Is Okonkwo's Positive Change In Things Fall Apartanalytical essayWhen different cultures interact, a shock will always occur. Change because of clashing cultures is inevitable, but how a person responds to change varies on different levels. In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, characters are introduced to an outside force of the Western world. Many of them, especially the main character, Okonkwo, attempt to remain with their original cultural beliefs, but some decide to listen to other stories. Among the changing characters is Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son. In Achebe’s novel, Nwoye’s positive change in understanding and motivation after the introduction of Western religion has the greatest impact on the book due to its effect on other characters in the book, especially Okonkwo.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's things fall apart introduces characters to an outside force of the western world.
- Analyzes how nwoye's conversion is attributed to his personality prior to the missionaries arriving in umuofia.
- Describes how nwoye was enlightened by the missionaries' message of a god who accepts and spreads love to everyone. he thought about the abominations of the ibo culture left to die.
- Analyzes how nwoye changed greatly after the westerners began their influence to the ibo culture. he was compelled to convert to christianity, although his father completely opposes it.
- Concludes that nwoye's positive characteristic change in response to western ideas and culture had the greatest influence on the novel.
715 wordsRead More - Cultural Differences In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebeanalytical essayCulture 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
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.
960 wordsRead More - Achebe Essayanalytical essayIn the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, change is a common key word used throughout the story. However, the meaning of this word to the characters in the story is looked upon as unusual. Okonkwo, being a highly viewed person in the community of Umofia, is resistant to change, knowing that change brings new modifications to the life of the community as well as his life. This resistance that is built up in him starts to modify his actions and thoughts, turning his character from a stern, serious role to a villainous character. When readers go farther into the story, they may only see that Okonkwo is this serious character, but there is something concealed in his façade. Behind this character, there is a fear from the threat of change that is hidden beneath. Okonkwo is resistant to the alterations being made in the community, but is actually changed himself over this hidden fear of change.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo, a highly regarded person in umofia, is resistant to change, knowing that change brings new modifications to the life of the community and his life.
- Analyzes how okonkwo becomes a violent, villainous character as the missionaries build their foundation in umofia.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's resistance gives him another view of the change the missionaries have exercised and how the people are starting to accept this change.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's stance in umofia is revealed after the altercation with the missionaries trying to stop the gathering for war.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's resistance to change causes his significance to disappear, leaving only a violent and villainous character.
750 wordsRead More - The Life of Okonkwoanalytical essayOkonkwo is the main character within the book, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. Okonkwo is an individual whom has many different personalities that are portrayed in different situations. He can be a nice and welcoming individual but also an abusive and harmful individual. Before returning to Umofia, in which the missionaries had invaded, Okonkwo had grown up upon resenting his father’s laziness, devoting his time in proving that he was much better than his father. That he was more respectable and masculine. These were qualities in which Okonkwo’s father had lacked. Upon reaching Umofia, Okonkwo becomes more passive than he has ever been. While watching in sorrow and grief of the coming of the missionaries as he is unable to anything about. The missionaries had turned Okonkwo into a completely different individual. Changing him for the worst.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo is the main character in the book, things fall apart, by chinua achebe. he is a nice and welcoming individual but also an abusive and harmful individual.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was not pleased upon the coming of the missionaries. he was distrustful and hurtful towards others.
- Analyzes how okonkwo borrowed seed yams from nwakibie to feed his family. he wanted his son to be a great farmer, but the guilt of the murder haunts him for life.
- Analyzes how okonkwo commits three different crimes against the earth, including beating his wife and killing a boy at ezedu's funeral.
- Concludes that okonkwo began his life strong, learning right from wrong, having a role model like his father to show him what not to do with life, and meeting the missionaries.
742 wordsRead More - The Development of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apartexplanatory essayOkonkwo had dreams, some of his dreams were fulfilled while others weren’t. Okonkwo's dreams were to be successful and better than his father which happened because he was one of the greatest, well known and respected men in the tribe of Umuofia. His other dream was for his son Nwoye to be just like him which didn’t happen since Nwoye was not happy with the way he was being treated and he went and joined the white men church in spite of his father.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that okonkwo had dreams of being successful and better than his father, and his son nwaye to be like him.
- Explains that okonkwo was a proud, industrious figure who elevated himself to respect and prominence in his community. he defeated amalinze (the cat) and was well-known and respected by neighboring villages.
- Explains how okonkwo achieved success through power and wealth and was industrious. he was a great man in his home of umuofia.
665 wordsRead More - The Stubborness of Okonkwoanalytical essayThe Stubborness of Okonkwo Okonkwo, a fierce warrior, remains unchanged in his unrelenting quest to solely sustain the culture of his tribe in the time of religious war in Achebe's book, Things Fall Apart. He endures traumatic experiences of conflict from other tribes, dramatic confrontations from within his own family, and betrayal by his own tribe. Okonkwo faces and defeats the fiercest of warriors from other tribes.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how okonkwo, a fierce warrior, endures traumatic experiences of conflict from other tribes, dramatic confrontations from within his family, and betrayal by his own tribe.
- Analyzes how okonkwo brought honor to his village by throwing amalizine the cat. the victory brings out hubris, a self-defining trait of him.
- Analyzes how okonkwo wanted his son to be a great warrior like him, but he didn't change to idolize him.
- Narrates how okonkwo's son, isaac, was sent to the new training college for teachers in umuru, and hoped that he would be happy to hear of it.
- Narrates how okonkwo was deeply grieved after being banished from his tribe, which had been converted by the christian missionaries.
- Analyzes how okonkwo feels betrayal for the former members of the tribe because they no longer act like the great warriors that they once were. his inability to conform brings him to suicide.
- Analyzes how okonkwo does not change throughout the novel, despite his experiences, tribal and family, but he remains unchanged in a new time, where change is the only way to be accepted.
389 wordsRead More - No Tragic Hero in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essay...ncluded that Achebe purposely ended Okonkwos life in this way in order to convey to the reader a sense of depravity; to leave the book lacking. The end lacks an ending. The District Commissioner merely mentions that he may be able to use the story of Okonkwo to fill a paragraph of the book he is writing. This statement completely diminishes the importance of Okonkwos life; perhaps in an effort to relate the way that these people and this culture has been tossed away and ultimately forgotten, aside from the occasional
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" recounts the life of okonkwo, his family, and the customs and culture of his clan.
- Analyzes how okonkwo dies for his cause in things fall apart, but whether his death can be classified as heroic is debatable.
- Argues that okonkwo's death was pathetic as opposed to heroic, and hypocritical that he took his own life, which in the clan was considered an abomination.
- Concludes that achebe purposely ended okonkwo's life in this way in order to convey to the reader a sense of depravity, to leave the book lacking.
- Analyzes arthur miller's "tragedy and the common man" preface for death of a salesman.
888 wordsRead More - African Imperialism In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebeanalytical essayIn Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo was one of the strongest proponents of violence against the white missionaries. Throughout the book, he advocated for violence while be outnumbered by his fellow natives who objected. Near the end of the book, he had had enough. During a village meeting gathered to discuss what to do about the white missionaries, a messenger for the missionaries arrived to tell them the meeting had been ordered to be stopped. “In a flash Okonkwo drew his machete. The messenger crouched to avoid the blow. It was useless. Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body”.3 The man had been killed. Shortly after, Okonkwo hanged himself on a tree. Violence was by far the most disruptive response to to the presence of white missionaries in Africa. It was the only response that led to deaths. Not only was the violence disruptive, it was also ineffective. In the last paragraph of the book, the Commissioner of the missionaries articulated how Okonkwo’s actions would make a good paragraph in the book he planned to write. Violence against missionaries was disruptive and led to death for both the locals and the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how a great fiction novel by chinua achebe, things fall apart, highlights the responses to missionaries by african people.
- Analyzes how the african natives responded to the presence of white missionaries with submission to their desires, to convert to christianity.
- Explains that many converted to christianity after the arrival of the white missionaries, but many were unhappy with their presence. one strategy from things fall apart was to burn down the missionary's church in their village.
- Analyzes how okonkwo was one of the strongest proponents of violence against the white missionaries in things fall apart.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's book things fall apart highlights different responses to the presence of white missionaries.
802 wordsRead More - Change And Tradition In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThroughout Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, struggle between change and tradition is one of the most relevant issues. The Igbo villagers, Okonkwo, and his son Nwoye all experience this problem in many different ways. The villagers have their religion defied, Okonkwo reaches his breaking point and Nwoye finally finds what he believes in. People have struggled to identify and cope with change and tradition throughout history, and will continue to struggle with this issue in the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the struggle between change and tradition in chinua achebe's things fall apart.
- Analyzes how the villagers in things fall apart become confused as their beliefs and rules set by their gods don't seem to apply to the missionaries.
- Analyzes how nwoye's internal conflict with himself about the igbo tradition leads him to convert against his father’s wishes.
- Analyzes how okonkwo uses fear to keep his other children in the igbo culture. he fears that if his family converts then there won't be anyone to remember him when he dies
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's novel, things fall apart, deals with the struggle between change and tradition. the igbo villagers, okonkwo, and his son nwaye all experience this problem in many different ways.
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