Exile In Things Fall Apart

Exile is the state of being barred from one’s native country, typically for political or punitive reasons. Exile is seen as alienating, cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged, or enriching, improve or enhance the quality or value of, but is a controversial statement whether it is justified or not. Palestinian American literary theorist and cultural critic Edward Said has written that “Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience. It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home: its essential sadness can never be surmounted” (Said). In the novel, Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe illustrated the problems and consequences faced towards Okonkwo and the concept of exile, as it relates to the Igbo culture. In the Igbo culture, being exiled is being sent to a home where actions are reflected upon in order to become a new person. Throughout the novel, it was depicted that Okonkwo was a wealthy and well-respected warrior leader of his clan, although where were some mischievous traits that were displayed: Okonkwo …show more content…
After becoming a leader of a tribe, becoming banished can alter the normal life of citizens on a multitude of scales, including confidence and culture. After returning home from being exiled, Okonkwo grieved by, “He mounted for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart, and he mourned for the warlike men of Umuofia, who has so unaccountably become soft like women,” (21.25). When Okonkwo returned, he saw that his community has stumbled down in terms of strength and confidence, weakening the protection of the members due to the absence of the leadership of Okonkwo. Exile, in this case, has disturbed the culture and nature of the land. Removing critical figures from their natural area causes disprovement within one another without the influence there to be