Reaction to Things Fall Apart
Essay Preview: Reaction to Things Fall Apart
Report this essay
Reaction to Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart is short novel that centers around African life during the age of European colonialism. Like Segu the novel gives insight on African culture before and after social change leading tribesman in the village. The novel seems to surround three issues that are prevalent in African society Ð- colonization, religion, and status. My reaction will be center on these three issues as they apply.
The story of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Acheve, takes place in the Nigerian village of Umuofia, a group of nine villages in Nigeria, in the late 1800s, before missionaries and other outsiders have arrived. The clan practice common tribal traditions Ð- worshipping of gods, sacrifice, communal living, war, and magic. Some of these actions along with the mutilating of a dead child, the abandonment of twins may be looked upon as uncivilized by European standards. To be fair the observation of the Week of Peace and the ritual of the breaking of the kola nut is looked upon with great admiration.
Okonkwo, the lead character, stands as a great leader of the Igbo tribe. Tribesmen respect Okonkwo for his many achievements Ð- one being the “throwing of Amalinze the Cat”. Although Okonkwo means well, he is also a tragic hero. He appears to have two fears Ð- fear of failure and of weakness.
Although Okonkwo is a great man in his home village, his father was considered a very lazy man who earned no titles in the Igbo tribe. Okonkwo despised his father and does everything he can to be nothing like him. He wants to succeed in everything that his family had failed. Okonkwo began building his social status by defeating a great wrestler. He is very hard working and shows no weaknesses to anyone. Although he is abusive to his family and sometimes neighbors, he is wealthy, courageous, and powerful among his village. He is a leader of his village. Okonkwo has striven for his elevated social status his entire life.
Because of Okonkwos status, he is selected by the elders to be the guardian of Ikemefuna, a boy taken prisoner by the tribe as a peace settlement between two villages. Ikemefuna is to stay with Okonkwo until it is decided on what to do with the boy. For three years the boy lives with Okonkwos family and they grow very fond of him. Ikemefuna even considers Okonkwo to be his father. When the elders decide that the boy has to be killed, the oldest man in the village warns Okonkwo to have nothing to do with the killing. Rather than seem weak, Okonkwo helps to kill the boy despite the warning from the old man. Many critics say that this is a turning point of Okonkwos life in the story of Things Fall Apart.
After Ikemefunas death, things begin to go terribly wrong for Okonkwo and his family. He accidentally kills a young tribesman. He and his family are sent away into exile for seven years to please the gods. While Okonkwo is away, white men begin coming to Umuofia and they peaceably introduce their monotheistic religion. As the number of converts increases, the foothold of the white people is strengthened. The routine of tradition is interrupted. Things are falling apart noted Obierika.
On his return from exile Okonkwo is disgusted by the white mens presence in his home village not