Cultural Collision In Things Fall Apart

In Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," the collision of cultures is vividly portrayed, as the traditional Igbo way of life clashes with the arrival of European colonizers. As we follow the story of the proud and ambitious Okonkwo, we are drawn into a world rich with the customs and beliefs of a vibrant culture. But as tensions escalate, Okonkwo must grapple with the forces of change that threaten to upend everything he holds dear, leaving us to ponder the power of cultural collision and its impact on both individuals and society.

In "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is primarily defined by his desire to be the opposite of his father, who he considers weak and effeminate. Okonkwo's father was a debtor who left behind a large unpaid

For example, when he attends a meeting where the missionaries are speaking, he is "impatient with [their] foolish talk" and "could not understand how men could be so crazy as to believe inanimate things like sticks and stones could hear" (Achebe 146). This shows that he rejects the new religion and sees it as a threat to the traditional beliefs of the Igbo people. As the influence of the missionaries and the colonial government grows stronger, Okonkwo's resistance becomes more desperate and violent. He lashes out against the new religion and the white authorities, even though he knows that his actions could result in severe consequences for himself and his community. For instance, when he and other leaders of the clan are arrested and imprisoned by the colonial government, he becomes "like a fish out of water" and "longed to be back in Umuofia among his own people" (Achebe 172). This shows that he feels out of place in the new world created by the colonizers and longs for the familiar customs and values of his community. Ultimately, Okonkwo's sense of identity is challenged by the cultural collision. He has always prided himself on being a strong, proud, and masculine man who embodies the traditional values of his people. However, he realizes that his way of life is becoming obsolete and that his efforts to preserve it are futile. He also comes to understand that his

As the novel begins, Okonkwo is introduced as a respected member of his community, embodying the values and ideals of his culture. For example, the narrator describes how "Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond" (Achebe 3), and his success as a warrior and farmer are evidence of his strength and commitment to his people. However, as the story progresses and the influence of colonialism begins to creep into his community, Okonkwo becomes increasingly unstable and violent, ultimately leading to his downfall. For example, when the British colonizers arrive, Okonkwo's initial reaction is to resist and fight back. But when his own people do not rally around him, he realizes that his traditional culture has been undermined and he is powerless to stop it. The narrator explains that "Okonkwo stood looking at the dead man. 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 186). Through Okonkwo's story, Achebe demonstrates the destructive impact of colonialism on traditional cultures and the difficulty of maintaining cultural identity in the face of outside