Impact Of Colonialism In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

Introduction - Human history is an intriguing subject. As humans evolved, developed and advanced, they began spreading their influence to furthers lands, in the quest of religion, power and wealth. Colonialism is the ideal example of such adventures that contributed to the importance of the nineteenth century and morphed society into what it is today. Colonialism lead to the advancements in technology, promoted trade and created power structures, however, it also lead to the majority of problems populations encounter, including poverty, racism, genocides, slavery and the destruction of cultures. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart discusses the impacts of Colonialism in Africa, mainly cultural assimilation, using a religion reliant tribe as it

The author also employs an hyperbole, “when he slept, his wives and children in their houses could hear him breathe” which describes Okonkwo’s dominance within his household as his “wives and children” seem weary of him, however it also signifies the portraying of females as weak. Okonkwo’s personality is described as critical and evaluative person when he states, “When he walked, his heels hardly touched the ground and he seemed to walk on springs, as if he was going to pounce on somebody”, the use of a metaphor “he seemed to walk on springs” compares him to be an opportunist and a critic since “springs” symbol rebuttal, repulsion and source of movement. Furthermore, the use of the phrase, “he was going to pound somebody” contributes to the description of Okonkwo’s critical and perfectionist disposition. The lack of transition between “fists” and “he had no…” displays a lack of need of rhetorical devices, as if illustrating the factual nature of Okonkwo’s words. Through this nature and the use of concrete diction, that is used to elucidate factual data, through utilizing words like, “when”, “whenever”, “would”,

E - “It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it. That is why we ask your people to bring him down, because you are strangers” (Achebe 162)

D - The use of the word “abomination” attaches a negative connotative view towards suicide in society. It is discussed as a “offense” against their gods and is seen as a horrendous act. The use of “Earth”as an opposition to death acts as a indicated to exclaim “Earth” as a symbol for life and vitality. Through the use of words, “offense”, “abomination”, “evil”, “stranger”, Achebe employs a spiteful tone since these words connote aggressive and negative emotions. The outcasting of Okonkwo’s body illustrates the villagers view of him as a disgrace and “evil” when they refuse to refer to Okonkwo by his name. Okonkwo’s betrayal of his customs, religion and his culture is exemplified when he is refused to be honored and be “buried by his clansmen”. Since funerals are a reflection of a person’s respect and life within the Umuofian society, the refusal of the “burial” furthers the notion of Okonkwo being viewed as a failure similar to his father,