The Effects of Colonialism in Things Fall Apart
analytical Essay
349 words
The Effects of Colonialism in Things Fall Apart
In the novel, Things Fall Apart, the effects of colonialism were extremely evident in the Igbo society. As the white Englanders moved into the native's land, their cultural values changed. Examples of these changes were evident in all aspects of the Igbo people's lives, in their religion, family life, children, and the dead. Many of the Igboians were upset by the colonialism of their society, but in the end they were completely incapable of doing anything to reverse the changes that had already taken place in their society.
As the English began to colonize the Igbo society, there were few natives who opposed it, they others just felt that the English would come and go, but they were wrong. Soon, the English began to introduce "white man's religion." This new religion was completely the opposite from what the natives were accustomed to. Christianity was rather intriguing to many of the natives and many of them turned away from their families and everything they were to become a member of this new religion. Before this, they natives had been very superstious, but as they new religion flooded over the peoples, their superstiousocity began to lessen and their belief in the many gods they had previously believed in.
Also, as many of the natives ran to the new Christian faith, many family bonds were broken. Before colonialism took place, family was an important thing in the Igbo society. It was not often that a man would give his son away for any reason, but because of the English coming in and teaching a new faith, many families were forced to give up their sons, daughters, and even some men were forced to give up their wives. The new religion also affected the way certain customs took place in the Igbo society. An example would be when one of the newly converted Christians killed the highly honored snake.
In my opinion, the biggest effect that colonialism had on the Igbo society was the way in which their dead and infants were treated. In the traditional society, those who killed themselves were thrown into the Evil Forest, as where twins and children who died at young ages.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the effects of colonialism were evident in the igbo society in things fall apart.
- Explains that as the english began to colonize the igbo society, there were few natives who opposed it, but they were wrong.
- Explains that family was an important thing in the igbo society before colonialism took place. the english teaching a new faith forced families to give up their sons, daughters, and even wives.
- Opines that colonialism's effect on igbo society was the way in which their dead and infants were treated.
- Analyzes how the colonialism of the igbo society affected them in many different ways. each aspect of their lives and culture were consumed by english belief systems.
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- Influence Of Imperialism In Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThings Fall Apart Essay Throughout the first part of the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe it shows readers how Igbo live their life and shows the traditions and culture of their people. In the second part of the book it starts to go into about how Western cultural imperialism comes in and tries to teach the Igbo people their culture, language, education and especially their religion. The influence that the missionaries bring to the Igbo culture is significance because they want the Africans to have the same views as them and for the ultimatum to take over the land that the Igbo people live on, so they can use and take their resources.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" shows the igbo culture, language, education, and religion. the missionaries want the africans to have the same views as them.
- Explains that the igbo culture follows a strict way of life, based on nature and ancestors. they plant yams and depend on their family for decisions.
- Explains that the igbo religion is what defines them and makes them unique from any other religion.
- Analyzes how okonkwo comes from a weak and beggar father who protects the family at any cost. the boys are raised to be strong and manly so they can marry wives.
- Explains that igbo marriage custom is important because it shows how primitive their culture was compared to the way modern marriage is now.
- Analyzes how the igbo people encounter the missionaries when they see one on a bike or what they called an "iron horse". the villagers of abame are all killed because they killed the white man.
- Analyzes how western imperialism brought good things to mbanata and umuofia, and bought a new faith and realigion to the people.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's things fall apart highlights the igbo culture and traditions and shows readers how primitive their ways were before the british colonist or missionaries came in.
1262 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebeanalytical essayThe novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe highlights the many important historical events that happened during the period of colonialism, spread of religious fervor to Africa from Europe, and the importance of the native religion among African societies. Achebe shows that religion holds a major influence in many African societies and influences the daily life of the natives. Furthermore, the novel introduces a major event that happen during pre-colonial Africa, the spread of the Christian faith, which forever changed and affected the natives in Africa, more specifically the Igbo society located in Nigeria. Things Fall Apart vividly describes and explains how the Christian faith that arrived in Africa changed both the individuals in the Umoufia and society. To add on, the novel shows how the spread of Christianity ultimately leads to the destruction of the many native African cultures, and shows what redeeming qualities that arise from the destruction of their culture. Achebe describes how the Christian faith acts as a guide to the Igbo society and at the same time acts as the inevitable downfall of the Igbo society.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" highlights colonialism, the spread of religious fervor to africa, and the importance of the native religion among african societies.
- Analyzes how nwoye was confused about his religion and his society. he felt deeply connected with the christian faith brought by the missionaries and seeks its guidance.
- Analyzes how the osu, the outcasts of the igbo society, view the christian faith as a haven for them, and accept it with open arms.
- Analyzes how the missionaries bring the christian faith into africa and their education system that acts as guidance for the native people by educating them.
- Analyzes how the missionaries disproved the native religion in umuofia, causing a rift in the relation between the people and their religion.
- Analyzes how the spread of the christian faith by missionaries resulted in the takeover by the white government.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's death symbolizes the destruction of a rich culture because he represents the old ways of the igbo society.
- Analyzes how the christian faith in things fall apart represents the downfall of many cultures in africa due to the takeover by the europeans. okonkwo is similar to jang song taek, kim's uncle.
1112 wordsRead More - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe tries to bring back up cultural, social, and spiritual basics of traditional Igbo (Ibo) existence from the year 1850 and 1900. The novel cannot be fixed like other societal and political old times of Ibo society since it is a fictional novel. However, the novel describes disagreements and anxiety that occurred in Igbo society. It also shows changes initiated by colonial ruling and Christianity. Colonialism affected the people in the Ibo society by destroying of their family’s relationships, friendships, their religion or even created fights between the tribes.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how things fall apart by chinua achebe tries to bring back cultural, social, and spiritual basics of traditional igbo existence from the year 1850 and 1900.
- Analyzes how things fall apart portrays a man named okonkwo who is embarrassed of his own father, unoka, who was lazy, thoughtless, and only lived day by day rather than thinking ahead.
- Explains that the new religion from the 'white missionaries,' was the complete opposite of what the igbo society was used to.
- Analyzes the impact of missionaries and colonialism on igbo society, and explains how they were helpful in protecting a paramount place within the society.
- Explains that catholic schools were expanded in power and superiority before the communal war ruined the entire structure.
- Explains that the impact of missionary activities on education is different across ethnic and spiritual groups in igbo society.
- Explains that colonialism is an opinionated system where outside state acquires exclusive control of a region into another region of the humankind.
- Analyzes how the impact of colonization broke ibo societal structure, resulting in destruction of ethnicity and death of many people. okonkwo's aggressive attitude to missionaries conveys about his personal defeat.
1842 wordsRead More - In Things Fall Apart we witnessed the destruction of a traditional native culture. More specifically we witnessed the challenge and weakening of Igbo spirituality, as well as the death of the tribe's livelihood. The apparent cause can be found in a seemingly good intended mission acting as a gateway for the intrusion of a foreign government, and its quest to conquer and domesticate a self-sustaining, prosperous culture. Although the Igbo downfall was caused primarily by the invasion of "Christian missionaries," their own religious doctrine and passivity played a significant role in allowing the initial infiltration of an alien religion, and the final dissolution of a once prosperous culture.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the igbo downfall was caused primarily by the invasion of "christian missionaries," but their religious doctrine and passivity played a significant role in allowing the initial infiltration of an alien religion.
- Opines that it is critical to consider if this downfall could have been prevented or channeled to produce a positive outcome. history tends to repeat itself within specific cultures.
- Analyzes how the igbo village umuofia fell apart in two distinct fashions. the first was its spirituality, led by the christian mission, and the second was to allow a new government to infiltrate the village.
- Analyzes how igbo spirituality weakened in two waves. christianity provided answers that the inhabitants of umuofia and mbanta were seeking.
- Analyzes how the timing of this passage falls in between a thorough account of igbo customs and the conversion of many people to christianity.
- Analyzes how the hymn about brothers who sat in darkness and fear seemed to answer a vague and persistent question that haunted his young soul.
- Describes how the mission gained respect and power by flourishing in circumstances that were believed to bring certain death, as prescribed by igbo spirituality.
- Analyzes how christianity strengthened the credibility of the new white men and their religion. christianity provided an answer to the questions people were feeling about their spirituality.
- Analyzes how umuofia changed during the seven years okonkwo had been in exile. religion and education became so powerful as more converts were added.
- Opines that the downfall of igbo spirituality was the mechanism that triggered the demise of the village and livelihood.
- Opines that three processes could have changed the fate of umuofia. the igbo people, or the mission and the government could've acted in different manners.
- Opines that umuofia could have taken a passive stance by allowing the religion to stay, but the igbo tribe's resistance prevented the mission from accessing their village.
- Concludes that umuofia is a victim in the truest sense of the word, and that any attempt to preserve their own way of life would not have been successful.
- Opines that the mission could have left umuofia undisturbed and prevented its destruction, but this would be out of england's best interest.
- Analyzes how mabo keita shows how the old can be intertwined with the new to form a future where the heritage of the past is kept alive.
- Opines that it is impossible for societies to stay static, as the world is growing exponentially, and borders of different cultures will overlap.
- Opines that when one story stands, bring another one to stand beside it, and if that's a better story, then it should displace the bad one.
1561 wordsRead More - Respect In The Igbo Culture Essayopinion essayNow we should take in consideration of the bad things, the abominations of the Igbo cultures, and this does not mean its bad literally its just saying that other culture will view these things as morally unacceptable. Some of the Igbo’s practices like the fact that they eat bugs might be considered an abomination to societies such as America, when they see bugs they feel disgusted by them and have no intentions on eating them, but when you look at the Igbo tribe you will find out that they see the locusts as a delicacy and eat them for a long period of time with many different meal styles. That to the American people would be seen as an abomination, seeing that Americans have a feeling of discrete towards locust they would be disgusted by the fact of people actually eating them for meals. This was a rare appearance and ...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that respect should be a bigger part in society than it is. elders are always highly respected in the igbo culture. okonkwo was well known throughout and beyond his nine villages.
- Opines that the igbo culture's abominations are morally unacceptable. they eat bugs for a long period of time with many different meal styles.
- Analyzes how the igbo tribe would view their culture because of religious views and old tradition.
- Concludes that the reader should view different perspectives to understand how their culture might view the readers culture.
764 wordsRead More - Colonialism In Things Fall Apartanalytical essayThings Fall Apart; African Culture and Breaking Traditions The widely known novel named Things Fall Apart was written by a man by the name of Chinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart represents the cultural roots of the Igbos in order to provide self-confidence, but at the same time refers them to universal principles which vitiate their destructive potential (Rhoads 61). As the reader continues through the narrative and learn more in depth about the characters a sense of pride, trust, and faith in history come into view. Seeing Achebe’s duty as a writer in a new nation as showing his people the dignity that they had lost during the colonial period, he sets out to illustrate that before the European colonial powers entered Africa, the Igbos had a philosophy of great depth and value and beauty, that they had poetry and, above all, they had dignity (Rhoads 61).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's things fall apart represents the cultural roots of the igbos in order to provide self-confidence but at the same time refers them to universal principles which vitiate their destructive potential.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe was a witness to the troubles and tribulations associated with religion and colonialism in his african culture.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's father, unoka, is a talented musician but is lazy, irresponsible, and has fallen deeply in debt, making him the biggest embarrassment of the family.
- Analyzes how achebe describes in things fall apart the impact of daily routine and beliefs upon african societies.
- Analyzes how achebe depicts the igbo culture by describing various rituals, songs, and scenes of storytelling in things fall apart.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's views make him harsh with his wives, who he beats and threatens on numerous occasions, and his children.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's seven-year exile from his village makes him think that men are stronger than women.
- Analyzes how nwoye's callow mind was puzzled by the words of the hymn about brothers who sat in darkness and in fear. christianity promised education and a future to many africans.
- Explains that colonialism is not to destroy one's culture, but to change beliefs and customs of those they control. in things fall apart, christianity leads to a faith in one god and promises of education.
- Analyzes the power and influence of christianity and colonialism on societies in things fall apart.
- Analyzes how achebe depicts the horror in some of the rituals and superstition, but they are less fearful when described by a writer who clearly has some recollection of them.
- Cites champion, ernest, greenberg, mackay, mercedes, and rhoads, diana. "things fall apart by chinua achebe."
2236 wordsRead More - Discuss The Impact Of Imperialism In Things Fall Apartanalytical essayIn Chinua Achebe 's classic novel "Things Fall Apart," the development of European colonization 's lead to extreme cultural changes, leaving a lasting impact on the Igbo village of Umofia in West Africa. In the novel, Achebe displays the impacts of European colonization in both critical and sympathetic terms to provide the reader with both positive and negative factors of Imperialism to develop an unbiased understanding of what the Igbo culture and society went through. While addressing the hardship 's of life by showing the deterioration of Okonkwo 's character, the cultural and traditional changes of society, and the positive and negative impacts of imperialism, Achebe keeps touch on the overall theme of the novel, once a dramatic event
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe's "things fall apart" portrays the impacts of european colonization in both critical and sympathetic terms to provide the reader with both positive and negative factors of imperialism.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's fear of becoming like his father causes him to slowly fall apart due to the impact of european colonization.
- Analyzes how okonkwo's world becomes destructed from the clash of cultures caused by the europeans.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe expresses the aspects of european oppression and exploitation that attract members of umofia.
- Analyzes how chinua achebe teaches us that there must be a middle ground between two opposites where they can exist, and excel, as equals.
948 wordsRead More - Religious Conflict in 20th Century Non-western Literatureanalytical essay"Religion and the Igbo People." Queen's University Belfast | Home. 15 Aug. 2001. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. .
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how conflicts between religions and internal religious conflict are central to the plot of 20th century non-western literature.
- Analyzes how africans were brainwashed by western colonizers who wanted to destroy local traditions and establish a solid group of supporters. the disparity between christianity and igbo religion was explored in the novel things fall apart.
- Analyzes the factors that contributed to the rage and uprising of african tribes against the british colonizers in the novel.
- Analyzes how the quote addresses one of the major areas of conflict in religion, which is the gods.
- Explains that the colonizers used missionaries and evangelists to gain support from the natives. they attacked the igbo religion by highlighting its flaws and denouncing its morality.
- Analyzes ngugi wa thiong'o's weep not child, a non-western african novel that addresses the conflict during colonization.
- Analyzes how david diop advocated african independence, and criticized the after-effects of missionary occupation in africa. in his poem, the vultures, he highlighted various forms of torture the natives had to endure.
- Analyzes how internal religious conflict is a recurring theme in african literature. the protagonist's son, nwoye, viewed his father’s brutal and ruthless personality as influenced by the igbo religion.
- Analyzes how khaled hosseini's the kite runner provides insights into many aspects of external religious conflict in the middle-east.
- Illustrates the totalitarianism and power that the taliban government accumulates, and how they use it to take advantage of the inferior in society.
- Explains that although external religious conflict appears prominent in middle eastern literature, internal conflict has also been portrayed in stories of life in afghanistan before the russian invasion and the taliban seizing power.
- Explains that in afghanistan, there has been prevailing strife between the two major ethnic groups, the sunni and the shi'a muslims.
- Opines that history isn't easy to overcome, neither is religion. in the end, they were a pashtun and hazara, sunni and shi'a.
- Analyzes how amir's quote reflects his stigma towards the hazara, despite his kinship with hassan. sunnis and shi'as shared a common root to their religion, but allowed small differences to disrupt their relationship.
- Analyzes how internal religious conflict can be seen through the lives of afghani refugees in the kite runner.
- Opines that they were aware of the afghan double standard that favored their gender.
- Analyzes how the quote reveals the social and religious expectation that was upheld by afghani, even though they’ve moved to new location.
- Opines that religion is viewed as an ominous force that can cause both individual suffering and gruesome battles.
- Cites chaube, chinua, and siegel's modern literatures of the non-western world: where the waters are born.
2153 wordsRead More - Ian Smith, a British politician, once said, “I would say colonialism is a wonderful thing. It spread civilization to Africa. Before it they had no written language, no wheel as we know it, no schools, no hospitals, not even normal clothing.” Although many people believed in the benefits of colonialism in the past, people now have changing opinions after learning the stories told by the Africans. Chinua Achebe wrote a novel, Things Fall Apart, in which Okonkwo, a Nigerian native, and his Igbo clan deals with white men trying to colonize, or pacify and control, the Igbo clan in the 1900’s. Due to the differences of religion and culture, the white men believes that the Igbos display barbarity and lack education,
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how chinua achebe presents the unnecessity of colonialism in the igbo villages due to the civilized nature of their cultural practices.
- Analyzes how the stories of the clan show civility and prove colonialism superfluous.
- Analyzes how the igbos' wedding traditions demonstrate their respectful and polished culture which reveals the unsuitable nature of colonialism.
- Analyzes how the igbo people prove themselves civilized by having punishment for wrongdoing and do not need colonialism.
- Analyzes how the civilized culture of the igbo people proves that the clan does not require colonialism.
904 wordsRead More - Firstly, the church disproves many of the Igbo superstitions ,which encourages the Igbo to break the traditions that they had followed for many years. Therefore, slowly destroying their society. For instance, when the white men who brought Christianity to the people of Umuofia speak to the clan of the village about their new religion. They request a piece of land to build their church on. The clan decides to give them a piece of land of the Evil forest and let them stay. To the clans surprise this happens ”At last the day came by which all the missionaries should have died. But they were still alive, building a new red-earth and thatch house for their teacher, Mr. Kiaga. That week they won a handful more converts.(151)”. The Evil Forest was known as a forest where people go to die, and the clan members thought that by allowing the missionaries to build their church in the evil Forest they could easily get rid of them. Since, the white men didn’t die but lived, this made the Ibo people question their own beliefs. When some of the villagers noticed that they were mislead by their gods they decide to convert to Christianity. Either because Christianity seemed stronger than the ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how religion plays a significant role in the book things fall apart by chinua achebe.
- Analyzes how the church disproves many of the igbo superstitions, which encourages them to break the traditions that they had followed for many years.
- Analyzes how christianity catches the eye of many igbo people, later converting them into christians. nwoye's actions can still destroy societies on a small scale.
- Analyzes how christianity guides and destroys a society by guiding more and more converts, but at the same time, christianity would destroy the older igbo society.
- Explains that christianity is destroying and guiding two different societies. it guides the people that don't believe in christianity to convert.
766 wordsRead More