Things Fall Apart Colonialism

West Africa had already had a religion before Islam came into the picture. Even after Islam came, Africans took a while to stop believing in animism (the belief in the existence of spirits separable from bodies) and polytheism (the belief in or worship of more than one god). In 1000 CE, Africa saw its first very important change when Muhammad and his followers came and preached the religion of Islam. African rulers, who had begun to adopt Islam, began to take over cultures still with other religions. From 1000-1500 CE, religion saw changes influenced by foreigners, political systems, social systems, and

Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart is an attempt in literary form to reinstate the dignity of the Igbo (and African) culture and people that had been become absent and restrained with the advent of colonisation of Nigeria by Europeans. Achebe demonstrates in the novel that, in a world where white colonists find the traditional customs and practices of the Igbo people as savage and primitive; the culture of this society is one of depth and dignity, where the traditions and practices of the people throughout their history demonstrates a solid and civilised structure in their own right. Analysing three episodes that occur in Things Fall Apart, this essay aims to discuss how Achebe tries to accomplish his aim of restoring dignity and self respect of the African people.

The tripartite novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, published in 1958 focuses on the changes taking place in Nigeria, as a result of colonization during the 20th century. Chinua Achebe’s pragmatics when writing the novel focused on changing the perspective of Western readers with regard to African society. He mainly wanted to falsify the assertions in books such as “Heart of Darkness” which he claimed gave people of African descent a dull personality. Social status is one of the novels’ main themes. Chinua Achebe successfully incorporates the importance of social status, giving readers the impression that for the Ibo society, social structure consists mainly of a hierarchy of both skill and strength.

Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart was published in 1958, on the eve of Nigerian independence in 1960. Although Achebe developed alongside the likes of “Beti, Laye and Tutuola”, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was considered to have formed the foundation for all other African literature that would follow. One could argue that the success behind the novel is due to Achebe’s ability to re-establish dignity and self-respect of African people contrary to authors like Joseph Conrad and Charles Dickens. History is often written by the victor and so Achebe offers a different interpretation showing that Africans had dignity prior to European arrival, there is a sense of pride or self-respect in having a title in the clan, in sharing a kola nut with your fellow people and arriving on the ilo to watch the much anticipated wrestling.

Narrative Chapter One Olaudah Equiano’s Interesting Narrative, is a special case of literature history. Years before the writings of Fredrick Douglass, it spoke of the horrible truths of slavery to persuade its readers to listen to its reason. Though Equiano’s authenticity to his story being that of his own life can be questionable at times, his writings still strive for the greater purpose of “promoting the interest of humanity” (688). Equiano starts the first chapter and the beginning of his story explaining the life he had in Africa.

Introduction On October 1st 1960 , British rule over Nigeria as a colony ended, as well as most of its official structure. Nigerian leaders were left with the task of taking up the leadership of the Nigerian people from the British with a promise of democratic rule; however within fifteen years after independence various institutions experienced great changes bringing great instability and uncertainty to the newly founded government. Northern and Southern regions of Nigeria both felt the impacts in education, politics, religion and ethnically. This causes one to wonder what the British Imperialistic government did differently, and why the difference between the Southern and Northern region became so evident in the fifteen years after independence.

Chris Albani’s novel GraceLand is a coming of age tale that exposes the reader to the many dilemmas a Nigerian may face in life. Although this is a fictional novel it encompasses many cultural, political, and economic truths about Nigeria during 1972-1983. This time period is a bit unstable since the country is attempting to after a long reign of British Colonization. A common theme in this novel is violence where opposing ideals or concepts are present. As reading the novel detailing the many experiences of Elvis Oke’s life one will notice the change of family structure, culture and religion, and morality and ethics due to global economics.

Which is more important; defending one’s honor, or defending one’s home? In many cases it can be one in the same and one’s home often becomes the framework for one’s identity. Chinua Achebe introduces the idea of defending both one’s honor and one’s home with his story about the colonization of Nigeria in the late nineteenth century. In his novel, Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe shapes Okonkwo’s internalized identity utilizing the tribe’s patriarchal culture and his father’s failure.

The rise of imperialism was set off by the “European scramble for African colonies,” where this intensified competitions between European nations and instilled fear in others who were behind. (647) We can see the changes in the European nations that occupied Africa and how it might have posed a threat. Africa went from having only the “French Algeria and two British-ruled South African states,” to several European nations. (647) As a result, most of Europe wanted in and an international conference was held in Berlin that partitioned off different parts of Africa and called for countries to respect those boundaries. (648)

Hannah Lee Mrs White AP Literature 27 October 2014 The Death of Okonkwo and Igbo Culture The classic novel Things Fall Apart, written by a Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, has accounts of the Igbo people’s ways of living until the arrival of the Europeans who bring social and cultural change to Africa. In response to the stark negative portrayal of Africa by the biased European colonialists, the author attempts to reveal both problems and beauty in the African ethics; in order to provide a sharp criticism of imperialism, Achebe portrays the main character Okonkwo’s resistance in conforming to the new culture brought by the colonialists.