Things fall apart is set in the late 19th Century right before and during the arrival of British missionaries and colonialists. The first half of the novel follows the life of an Igbo man, Okonkwo, and his life before the presence of the British Empire. When he later returns to his village after a few years in exile, he returns to a former shadow of his old home. Most of the cultural and religious traditions in his village had disappeared and many of his people had converted to Christianity. This choice in setting was done to truly show the contrast between pre and post-colonial Nigeria, such as the clashing between British individualism and Igbo collectivism. It also portrayed the deep impact colonialism has had on Igbo society and other Nigerian peoples, such as the death of Igbo’s form of leadership based on Ozu titles.
By first showing the readers Igbo life before the British arrival, Achebe was able to show a new “story” of African life. Previously most of the western literature had failed to show an honest and true depiction of Africa. Achebe showed his readers the true culture of Africa, a culture that was diverse, rich in history and not barbaric. Achebe is showing the reader that Africa was home to a rich culture, religion, politics long before the arrival of Europeans and their version of civilization. For example, Ozu titles were used as a system of electing leaders, social hierarchy and religious tradition for at least a thousand years before the events in Things Fall Apart. Achebe showed that Nigeria and Africa never needed to be “saved” by Europeans and were fine without them.
By showing the arrival of Europeans in Africa, Achebe painted a picture of colonialism that isn’t just black and white. He showed that in some ways both Igbo and British interference with Igbo culture was flawed. This is what leads to many of the Igbo outcasts, the osu, and Nwoye to join the new Christian converts. In Igbo culture, twins were left in a “cursed” evil forest to die and Ikemefuna was sacrificed for someone else’s crimes. Meanwhile the British massacred and dishonored the leaders of Umuofia to undermine local authority. and destroyed the local way of life.
Achebe was a strong supporter of Nigerian independence. By showing that Nigeria has functioned effectively and better than before British interference he is supporting his own ideals and vision of an independent Nigeria. Achebe displayed that Nigeria was rich with history, religion, and culture long before the arrival of Europeans. This was shown via his display of the complex religious symbols of the egwugwu, the Oracle of the Hills and the Caves, and the Ozu title system as a system of honour and leadership.
In many ways, Achebe’s own upbringing was also a mix of English and Igbo. His immediate family had converted to Christianity and Achebe was educated in English. However, he often snuck away to attend Igbo religious and cultural festivals. By displaying both British culture and Igbo Achebe was able to display both the complexity of his own upbringing as well as the complex impact colonialism has had on Nigeria. In addition, many of the characters portrayed in Things Fall Apart are based off real people in Achebe's life. For example, the missionary Mr. Brown was based on a missionary Achebe’s father met, called G. T Basden.
Comments
Post a Comment