Introduction
Things Fall Apart is a novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe published in 1958. It tells the story of Okonkwo, a strong warrior in the Igbo community of Umuofia, Nigeria, during the late 1800s. The novel explores the effects of British colonialism on the Igbo people and their traditional way of life. Through Okonkwo’s journey, Achebe presents a nuanced and thought-provoking critique of the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures.
Things Fall Apart illustrates how colonialism has a profound and destructive impact on the colonized people’s traditional way of life and cultural identity. Achebe explores this theme through the experiences of Okonkwo and the Igbo community as they are compelled to confront the changes introduced by the British colonizers. Through Okonkwo’s struggles and eventual downfall, Achebe illustrates how the loss of cultural identity and traditional values can devastate individuals and communities.
Cultural Impacts of Colonialism
The novel paints a complex and nuanced portrait of Igbo culture, including its customs, traditions, and beliefs. Achebe explores the impact of colonialism on the Igbo people and how the arrival of European missionaries threatens their way of life. One of the novel’s key themes is the conflict between traditional Igbo culture and the values of the European colonizers. Okonkwo, the protagonist, struggles to come to terms with the changes that are taking place in his community and is ultimately unable to adapt to the new order (Jweid and Nimer 529-540). This conflict is mirrored in the larger societal changes in Nigeria at the time, as the country begins to move away from its traditional ways of life and towards a more Westernized culture.
One illustration of colonialism’s damaging effect on the traditional life and cultural identity of the colonized is the British effort to impose their religion and convert the Igbo to Christianity. This is particularly evident in the way that the character of Mr. Brown, the first missionary to arrive in the village, attempts to convert the villagers to Christianity and dismisses their traditional beliefs as “superstition” and “heathenism” (Achebe, 10). This clash of cultures and religious beliefs is deeply unsettling for the Igbo, who see their beliefs and traditions as central to their identity.
Another example of the destructive impact of colonialism can be seen in the way that the British introduced new systems of government and justice, which are at odds with the traditional values and customs of the Igbo. For instance, when Okonkwo is accused of accidentally killing a boy during a village wrestling match, he is sentenced to exile by the British District Commissioner and forced to leave his village for seven years (Achebe, 98). This punishment is deeply distressing for Okonkwo, who feels humiliated and stripped of his dignity and identity as a respected member of the Igbo community.
Furthermore, the introduction of British education and the English language also has a profound impact on the cultural identity of the Igbo. As the children in the village begin to attend the new schools and learn English, they become increasingly detached from their own culture and traditions. For example, the character of Nwoye, Okonkwo’s son, is drawn to the teachings of Christianity and the Bible, which he finds more appealing than the stories of his people (Achebe, 30). This shift in cultural identity and values is a source of great pain and conflict for Okonkwo, who feels that his son is betraying the traditions and beliefs of their ancestors.
Masculinity in the Igbo Culture
Another critical theme in the novel is the role of masculinity in Igbo society. It is seen as a symbol of strength, power, and authority. Men are expected to be the providers and protectors of their families, and their ability to fulfill these roles is closely tied to their sense of masculinity (Odimegwu et al. 219-234). Throughout the novel, one can see various examples of the importance of masculinity in Igbo society.
Okonkwo, the novel’s main character, is renowned for his physical strength and bravery, and he uses these qualities to assert his authority and earn respect from his fellow villagers. This is evident in the way he is described as a “fierce” and “strong” man who has “won fame as the greatest wrestler in the nine villages” (Chapter 1). Okonkwo is also a successful farmer, which is another crucial aspect of masculinity in Igbo society. He is admired for his material success, with the narrator noting that he “had three barns full of yams” and was “wealthy and respected” (Chapter 1).
Similarly, the importance of masculinity is emphasized in the way that Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, is ridiculed and ostracized for his failure to live up to these expectations of strength and wealth. Unoka is referred to as “a loafer” and “a failure” who was “poor and his wife and children had barely enough to eat” (Chapter 1). However, Okonkwo’s rigid adherence to traditional masculine ideals ultimately leads to his downfall. He cannot adapt to the changes brought about by the arrival of the white colonizers, and his inability to adapt causes him to become increasingly violent and aggressive. This ultimately leads to his death and serves as a warning against the dangers of excessive masculinity.
In contrast, readers can see other characters in the novel who can balance their masculinity with other qualities, such as empathy and compassion. For example, Obierika, Okonkwo’s friend, can see the flaws in traditional Igbo society and adapt to the changes brought about by the colonizers. This allows him to survive and thrive in the new world, while Okonkwo cannot adapt and ultimately perishes.
Challenges of Cultural Transformations
Another important theme in Things Fall Apart is the clash between tradition and change, which is illustrated through the main character, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a proud and successful member of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. He is a traditionalist who values the customs and traditions of his people, including their religious beliefs and practices. However, as the novel progresses, Okonkwo witnesses the arrival of European colonists who bring new ideas and ways of life that challenge and threaten the Igbo way of life.
Okonkwo struggles to adapt to the changes brought about by the colonists, including the introduction of new religions and the loss of land and power. He becomes increasingly angry and frustrated, clinging to traditional beliefs and practices even as outsiders threaten them. This conflict between tradition and change ultimately leads to Okonkwo’s downfall and the eventual collapse of the Igbo tribe.
The clash between tradition and change is also shown through the character of Obierika, Okonkwo’s friend and fellow warrior. Unlike Okonkwo, Obierika is more open to the changes brought by the colonists and can adapt and find a new way of life (Achebe 129). However, he still mourns the loss of their traditional way of life and its impact on their culture and identity.
Another example of the clash between tradition and change is how the British introduced new laws and governance systems to the Igbo people. Okonkwo is fiercely independent and resists the British attempts to control and regulate his tribe, but he is ultimately unable to prevent the changes that are taking place. As the British gain more power in the village, Okonkwo becomes increasingly isolated and resentful. He eventually resorts to violence in a futile attempt to protect his traditional way of life.
Therefore, the novel shows how the clash between tradition and change can lead to conflict, loss, and, ultimately, the destruction of a way of life. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of clinging too closely to the past and the importance of finding a balance between the old and the new.
Conclusion
Overall, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart offers a powerful and insightful depiction of how colonialism devastates the traditional lifestyles and cultural identities of the colonized. Through the experiences of Okonkwo and the Igbo community, Achebe shows how the loss of cultural identity and traditional values can have devastating effects on individuals and communities. Achebe’s writing is evocative and vivid, and he does an excellent job of bringing the world of the Igbo to life for the reader. The novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural preservation and the dangers of cultural imperialism. It is a must-read for anyone interested in African literature or the effects of colonialism on traditional societies.
Works Cited
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Heinemann, 2008.
Jweid, Abdalhadi Nimer A. Abu, and A. Abdalhadi Nimer. “The Fall of National Identity in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.” Pertanika Journal Social Sciences and Humanities, vol. 24, no. 1, 2016, pp. 529-540.
Odimegwu, Clifford, et al. “The cost of being a man: social and health consequences of Igbo masculinity.” Culture, health & sexuality, vol. 15, no. 2, 2013, pp. 219-234.