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Comparing Things Fall Apart And The Poisonwood Bible

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Where we are from versus where we live usually influences our behavior, attitude, and beliefs. We have to adapt to our surroundings which then teaches us new ways of thinking and news ways to view life. In both Things Fall Apart and The Poisonwood Bible the characters learn how to cope with change from culture and different surroundings. In Things Fall Apart, main character Okonkwo, a warrior of a Nigerian tribe struggles to choose between whether it is better to change or to stick to his traditions. A similar choice is required by the Price family, in The Poisonwood Bible, as they move from Georgia, U.S.A. to the Belgian Congo in 1959 to serve a Baptist mission. In both of the novels the characters struggles to adapt to new lifestyles that they are not use to.
In Things Fall Apart Okonkwo has a controlling personality where he struggles to adapt to change in his tribe. Okonkwo, leader of the Umuofia tribe has a strong, manly, and harsh mindset that is claimed to have helped him succeed financially and socially. But later on, Christian and new political values are coming into their tribe and Okonkwo does not want his people to follow them because he might lose his power and social status. He then resists cultural change …show more content…

In Things Fall Apart Okonkwo’s eldest son Nwoye is very different than his father. He is not aggressive and manly but more effeminate. Okonkwo feels like Nwoye is a disappointment because he doesn’t follow his values while Nwoye loses all respect for his father because he doesn’t want to live in his shadow. Later on, Christian missionaries come to their village and Nwoye is taught that there is a better way to live and is amazed by it. The missionaries speak about a story of “...brothers who lived in darkness and in fear, ignorant love of God” (Achebe), which really touched Nwoye and made him find peace in leaving his father’s teachings and convert to

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The novel “things fall apart” is about the fatal demise of Okonkwo and the igbo culture of Umuofia. Okonkwo is well known and respected leader in his community, who is successful in everything he does, such as wrestling and farming. He is quick with his hands and takes pride in his accomplishments. Okonkwo’s family relationship makes him a sympathetic character because of his support and an unsympathetic character because of his cruelty. In many ways Okonkwo showed that he had no sympathy for others , However at times he could be sympathetic.

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