The interpretation of any literature may vary based on the reader’s various factors and the cultural context. Chinua Achebe, who wrote the novel Things Fall Apart, developed a story of a “strong man” whose life is dominated by fear and anger. That “strong man” is the main character Okonkwo. Okonkwo and his family live in the African village of Umuofia where their culture can be questioned, analyzed, and/or studied by different readers based on their religion. Two of those readers may be an Atheist and a Christian.
In the novel, Achebe emphasizes the Igbo culture using many themes including religion, fear, traditions, customs, and family. He portrays their culture with both positive and negative elements. Those people who are a part of the Igbo …show more content…
They believe that God was the one who created Earth and humanity. An atheist is a person who lacks the belief in the existence of God and/or gods. An atheist is quite the opposite of a Christian or the people of Umuofia. You can see how exactly an atheist would likely not admire the Igbo religion. The Igbo people are known to believe in more than one god. “No one had ever beheld Agbala, except his priestess… His priestess stood by the sacred fire which she built in the heart of the cave and proclaimed the will of the god” (Achebe 16). The Igbo beliefs are very different from the Christians who are monotheistic. Although they are polytheistic, all of their gods look up to one specific god. Which is somewhat similar to …show more content…
In the Igbo culture arranged marriages benefit from exchanges and alliances between the descendants. The Bible does not support nor oppose having arranged marriages. Although in the Bible there are arranged marriages. “The suitor was a young man of about twenty-five with him were his father and uncle… Her suitor and his relatives surveyed her young body with expert eyes as if to assure themselves that she was beautiful and ripe” (Achebe 71). Marriage has nothing to do with religion it is almost like a contract between two people. Arranged marriages always get something out of it. Marriage is a celebration of two people. Anyone would agree no matter what your cultural identity
In the novel, Achebe emphasizes the Igbo culture using many themes including religion, fear, traditions, customs, and family. He portrays their culture with both positive and negative elements. Those people who are a part of the Igbo …show more content…
They believe that God was the one who created Earth and humanity. An atheist is a person who lacks the belief in the existence of God and/or gods. An atheist is quite the opposite of a Christian or the people of Umuofia. You can see how exactly an atheist would likely not admire the Igbo religion. The Igbo people are known to believe in more than one god. “No one had ever beheld Agbala, except his priestess… His priestess stood by the sacred fire which she built in the heart of the cave and proclaimed the will of the god” (Achebe 16). The Igbo beliefs are very different from the Christians who are monotheistic. Although they are polytheistic, all of their gods look up to one specific god. Which is somewhat similar to …show more content…
In the Igbo culture arranged marriages benefit from exchanges and alliances between the descendants. The Bible does not support nor oppose having arranged marriages. Although in the Bible there are arranged marriages. “The suitor was a young man of about twenty-five with him were his father and uncle… Her suitor and his relatives surveyed her young body with expert eyes as if to assure themselves that she was beautiful and ripe” (Achebe 71). Marriage has nothing to do with religion it is almost like a contract between two people. Arranged marriages always get something out of it. Marriage is a celebration of two people. Anyone would agree no matter what your cultural identity