The Fall of Okonkwo and Umuofia
The long told story about Africa is generally told through the eyes of the colonizer. Many believe that Africa's rich, diverse history ends and begin with European imperialism. In the novel Things Fall Apart, the author, Chinua Achebe begins his efforts is tearing down these stereotypes. Achebe shows Africa as a nation rich with culture and tradition that was destroyed by colonization. By following the main character Okonkwo, who is a successful and rich man within his tribe, we find out how colonization destroys his world. Through characterization of Okonkwo the tragic hero, and using him as a tangible representation of Umuofia and Igbo culture, Achebe successfully proves the argument that colonization destroys indigenous culture. As Okonkwo’s character and family diminish with colonization so does the tribe. Okonkwo the tragic hero is used as a personification of Umuofia's culture and traditions. In the beginning of the novel Okonkwo is portrayed as a strong man who held all the great qualities sought after within the village. The very first sentence of the novel begins with “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond” (Achebe 3). Throughout the novel the author continues to bolster the idea that Okonkwo is a great man with quotes like this one …show more content…
Through the introduction christianity european colonizers effectively divided the people of Umuofia. Colonizers exploited Igbo values to their own advantage in order to subjugate and control the tribe. By calling into question the ethics and morals of the Igbo culture european colonizers efficiently divided the tribe, and as a result weakened them so they’d be more susceptible to European rule. Okonkwo’s demise shows how colonization not only destroyed a strong man but also the Igbo
The long told story about Africa is generally told through the eyes of the colonizer. Many believe that Africa's rich, diverse history ends and begin with European imperialism. In the novel Things Fall Apart, the author, Chinua Achebe begins his efforts is tearing down these stereotypes. Achebe shows Africa as a nation rich with culture and tradition that was destroyed by colonization. By following the main character Okonkwo, who is a successful and rich man within his tribe, we find out how colonization destroys his world. Through characterization of Okonkwo the tragic hero, and using him as a tangible representation of Umuofia and Igbo culture, Achebe successfully proves the argument that colonization destroys indigenous culture. As Okonkwo’s character and family diminish with colonization so does the tribe. Okonkwo the tragic hero is used as a personification of Umuofia's culture and traditions. In the beginning of the novel Okonkwo is portrayed as a strong man who held all the great qualities sought after within the village. The very first sentence of the novel begins with “Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond” (Achebe 3). Throughout the novel the author continues to bolster the idea that Okonkwo is a great man with quotes like this one …show more content…
Through the introduction christianity european colonizers effectively divided the people of Umuofia. Colonizers exploited Igbo values to their own advantage in order to subjugate and control the tribe. By calling into question the ethics and morals of the Igbo culture european colonizers efficiently divided the tribe, and as a result weakened them so they’d be more susceptible to European rule. Okonkwo’s demise shows how colonization not only destroyed a strong man but also the Igbo