Chinua Achebe’s, “Things Fall Apart,” (published by William Heinemann Ltd., 1958) is filled with proverbs throughout his text in relation to traditional life in Umuofia as well as the colonization of Umuofia. Proverbs are used throughout Umuofia and the people of Nigeria in which “Things Fall Apart” takes place, are often used to give a simplified general truth or advice that may reflect on the situation or person in the text. Achebe highlights the significance proverbs to Umoufia culture, how colonization destroys culture, and why an English text does more to convey the theme than being in the Igbo language. Achebe’s, “Things Fall Apart,” (published by William Heinemann Ltd., 1958) tells the story of Okonkwo, a respected warrior in the…
present, and relevant from the future. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is one such book. The author continuously incorporates elements of the Igbo language and tradition, to bridge the cultural divide as westerns come into the village. Achebe considers conversations and the use of the Igbo language to be a gem in all his writings. Proverbs are viewed as, “Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten” (Asika, 2012).…
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is about the unfortunate downfall of the protagonist, Okonkwo, and the Igbo culture. Okonkwo is an honored and effective leader within the Igbo community of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Things Fall Apart set about instituting the legitimacy of life in tribal Nigeria in the late 19th century, before the arrival of the "civilising" colonialism of Christian missionaries. There are many themes in Things Fall Apart but one theme that is very prominent is…
The Igbo people witness and experience physical colonization that ultimately results in cultural assimilation. In this particular passage the discussion between Obierika and Okonkwo, they mention that the white man is spreading and imposing the philosophy of Christianity. Furthermore, they discuss the implications of separating their people apart physically and mentally due to colonization. In the book Things Fall Apart, the author, Chinua Achebe reveals the cultural consequences of colonization…
Racism is something that has been something occurring in the world for a very long time. The novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad represents the time period of imperialism; when Belgium colonized the Congo. Conrad depicts the racism that occured in the Congo of Africa because of the Europeans colonization. The main protagonist named Marlow, a European sailor, goes on an adventure with his crew through his perspective going up the Congo River with the goal of meeting an idealistic man, Kurtz.…
Igbo Tribe Igboland is located in Southeastern Nigeria, taking up about 16,000 square miles. The Igbo tribe is located in Igboland, with a population of about 30 million people total. This tribe is a discrete tribe in Nigeria, with unique but powerful culture aspects. With distinctive religion, clothing, music, and beliefs, the Igbo tribe differs from others in Nigeria; this is demonstrated in the story “Marriage is a Private Affair”. This story displays different parts of the Igbo culture like…
Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe and published originally in 1958, follows the life of Okonkwo, a member of the Nigerian Igbo culture, as European colonists arrive to Africa. Throughout the novel, Okonkwo and his family struggle through their day to day life, only made worse by the integration of European society in the village. Instead of offering the readers the more familiar, if not overtold, perspective of Europeans colonizing Africa, Achebe introduces a completely foreign…
dwells on the problem of the postcolonial Nigerian society. The theme of the novel centers on the conflict between the African culture and the Western culture as well as the conflict between the Christian ideology and the Traditional religious doctrine . In the novel , The events begin with the political conflict between the two Nigerian neighboring regions of rural Igbo land: Umuaro and Okperi on their boarders to show superiority on each other and this conflict was solved with the…
your area and tried to change the traditions you have been practicing for years into their own traditions? Anytime two groups of people have their own views and beliefs, they cannot coexist in one area peacefully. In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the Igbo tribe is going through several issues due to cultural clashing. During all of this cultural clashing, Okonkwo, a clan leader who has earned a high status in his clan, is struggling to stick to tribal traditions. In the…
Achebe seems to accept the responsibility to revive the original story of native African culture (Maleki and Navidi, 12). However, as a vehicle to carry the native African values and culture, Achebe uses the English language; an alien and colonial language. This was a political choice, as the purpose of the novel was to write back at Euro-centric misrepresentation of Africa and, according to Alam, “make[s] it bear the burden of his native experience” (103). The English Achebe uses is “in full…