The world is full of constant change, and in literature, change is used to progress storylines, develop characters and prove theme. The novels Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe carry out similar themes while their main characters analyze African and Western culture. Heart of Darkness is Marlow’s journey into the Belgian Congo, where his identity is forever changed while being away from his typical European lifestyle. Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart ultimately falls because his core values have been forsaken by his native tribe. Marlow and Okonkwo both experience major character changes because of the trials they face while being separated from their traditional beliefs and customs. Marlow started off
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His major separation in the novel came from when he killed Ezeudu’s son, leaving him banished from his Umuofia tribe. Although an accident, his having to move to Mbantu served to separate him from his home and the changes that were happening there. Umuofia became changed by western Christianity. Unlike Marlow and his company, who viewed native Africans like savages, Okonkwo’s tribe welcomed the white men, their opposites. “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one.” (Achebe Chapter 20) The novel focuses on how the white men changed the customs of the African tribes, and its how the cultures do not blend that upsets Okonkwo. He is alienated because all the other elders are considerate towards the missionaries, and he believes in the old ways of war. “He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action.” (Achebe Chapter 24) When Okonkwo kills the messenger for the missionaries is when he isolates himself the most from his society. He represents the old ways, while no one else believes that way
His major separation in the novel came from when he killed Ezeudu’s son, leaving him banished from his Umuofia tribe. Although an accident, his having to move to Mbantu served to separate him from his home and the changes that were happening there. Umuofia became changed by western Christianity. Unlike Marlow and his company, who viewed native Africans like savages, Okonkwo’s tribe welcomed the white men, their opposites. “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one.” (Achebe Chapter 20) The novel focuses on how the white men changed the customs of the African tribes, and its how the cultures do not blend that upsets Okonkwo. He is alienated because all the other elders are considerate towards the missionaries, and he believes in the old ways of war. “He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action.” (Achebe Chapter 24) When Okonkwo kills the messenger for the missionaries is when he isolates himself the most from his society. He represents the old ways, while no one else believes that way