Theme Of Rape In Things Fall Apart

Cultural Rape in “Things Fall Apart” Throughout history, it is apparent that one’s assimilation into a different culture is destructive. Moreover, the forceful and unethical tactics a dominant class uses to urge the weaker class to assimilate themselves with a new culture, further abolishes and exploits the weaker class. This assimilation stops the continuations of the culture, traditions and customs throughout the family. The theory of assimilation being destructive can be directly related to Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart. In the novel, the Europeans invade the Ibo community of Umuofia to convince them to change their way of life. The Ibo people lose sight of the very things that keep them closely knit together like faith, the tribal …show more content…
The appearance of a new religion is a sole reason as to why there is a loss of tradition amongst the Ibo people. The Europeans choose wisely to use religion as a tool of conquest as they know how faith governs most of the decisions amongst the Ibo people. The Europeans began their religious assault by openly denouncing the many gods worshiped by the Ibo people in order to convert them to the new faith. This is evident when Achebe states, ““If we leave our gods and follow your god”, asked another man, “who will protect us from the anger of our neglected gods and ancestors?” “Your gods are not alive and cannot do you any harm”, replied the white man. “They are pieces of wood and stone.””(Achebe 146) The Ibo people live in fear of their Gods which often gives them discipline and keeps them in order. An absence of fear, results in chaos and a society in which the people are free to do as they wish. This relates to the theme of choice and consequence as the Ibo people can make the choice to switch religion but they are uncertain about the consequences this will have on themselves and the clan. At first, when the white man talks about his God, the Ibo people believe this man is foolish and laugh at the hysterical remarks he makes. But this initial notion is changed quickly when Achebe states, “he impudent missionaries built their church in the Evil Forest. The villagers were so certain about the doom that awaited these men that one or two converts thought it wise to suspend their allegiance to the new faith. At last the day came by which all the missionaries should have died. But they were still alive, building a new red-earth and thatch house for their teacher, Mr. Kiaga.”(Achebe 150) The Europeans are able prove themselves and their religion by building their church upon the cursed ground of the forbidden forest. This initiated the conversion of many Ibo people to Christianity when there is no consequence from the