The Theme Of Tradition In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

In modern culture where friendship and family matter, it is easy to understand how somebody would give up a tradition to save a relationship. However, in the past, where traditions are the most important concept in life; saving a relationship would come second to respecting a custom. Stories that take place in the past often account for the difference in culture and in doing so, illuminate that relationships will not always win. This major culture shock to readers is how authors use the past to express that traditions should be important, but not the main piece of life. Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart, uses the character, Obierika and his reaction to the new religion and his friend’s death as a way to display the significant theme of tradition through the book. Obierika is considerate of others, but still respects the clan’s way of fighting as a resolution to difficulties. When Obierika travels to visit Okonkwo in exile, he tells Okonkwo of the white men who came into Abame and massacred the village because the clan did not prepare for a fight (Achebe 138-141). Okonkwo faults the clan for the misfortune and while Obierika says that they got their punishment, he does agree that Abame should have fought for themselves. Obierika also sounds fearful of the white men, their weapons and the stories that the white men come and capture people for slavery. For most of Obierika …show more content…
Obierika values tradition over friendship, in many forms, because of the place he is raised. Through Obierika’s choices and life it is clear that the modern world may seem harsh, but family and friends are valued higher than in past societies. The present has placed a high significance on relationships which makes it harder for many people to see how some cultures and characters can throw aside a friendship in favor of a