Things Fall Apart Analytical Essay

Have you ever experienced or thought about what it would be like if an authoritative figure came into your society and changed your traditions and values? Chinua Achebe explores this cultural shift in the Igbo society through a postcolonial lense. A postcolonial critical lense offers a framework for looking at the similarities among all critical theories that deal with human oppression. Achebe`s education in english and his cultural European experiences has allowed him to capture both the African and European perspectives to display thoughts on colonial expansion, race, power, and gender. In Chinua Achebe's eurocentric novel, Things Fall Apart, Achebe includes proverbs, folktales, and a sense of leadership through Okonkwo to convey the power …show more content…
As Achebe sets up the tone and use of proverbs, he says, “Among the Ibo the art of conversation is regarded highly, and proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten” (7). The formalness of the quote offers a glance at the misunderstandings that happen between the Europeans and the Igbo. However, towards the end, their directness and efficiency of conflicts shows that Igbo value their cultural traditions: language. The palm metaphor of food as words is significant because the nature of Igbo society is exclusive since they place the same values on food, life, and the community. SECOND QUOTE. Achebe transports the reader to Nigeria as he presents the cultural norms of society through the way in which the Igbo society adhere to rules in fear of violence. “They never answered yes for fear that it might be an evil spirit calling” (41). The Igbo society fears that if they don't follow the rules than an evil spirit will “take them away” thus leading to a chaotic afterlife since everything is on order in the Igbo society.The belief in chi, their own god, allows individuals to associate some portion of their failure and success which would shame