Things Fall Apart Essay

Comparisons Between Animals and Humans in Things Fall Apart
The short story of The Tortoise and the Hare, written by Aesop is a well known anecdote throughout the world. It tells of a tortoise and a hare who compete in a race although they have unequal abilities. Behind the childish story lays an important lesson, slow and steady always wins the race. Aesop uses animals to compare them to humans through the use of metaphors which reveals much about human culture and morals. The notable and interesting Igbo culture that Chinua Achebe describes in his novel, Things Fall Apart, has specific beliefs in which they connect animals and creatures to their theories. Specifically, the role of animals such as cats and pythons are used to express the Igbo culture through imagery, and folktales to present their …show more content…
The fact of the matter is that then, and now, people salute themselves to a greater idea. People are constantly willing to offer their given power to something, or someone, whom they trust blindly to lead them. Within the Igbo tribe, the people devote their lives to animals, the divine, because it’s easier to have someone else lead your life and give direction, than to learn from mistakes throughout life. Like the python and cat, they have deeper meanings than what is expressed in the novel. The cat’s physical abilities assures and comforts the community and gives them an object and character to idolize and commend. Furthermore, as for the python whose mental power over the clan has them distraught and helpless, the animal reflects how ignorance causes blindness and no control over one’s life. Today’s society continues with the same concept, we have leaders ruling countries, religious figures we follow instinctively, and certain ideas we feel are critical for us to follow in order to be the happiest and live life to the