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Nwoye Identity

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The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.” This quote describes the life of the young character Nwoye in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Nwoye feels split between his culture and what he believes to be right, but is forced to remain in his culture because it’s the only religion and lifestyle he knows. However, this changes when Western Culture is introduced into his community and he feels that he can finally have his own opinion. In the novel, Achebe uses religion and insecurities to display that Nwoye, and other people, can solve their inner conflicts through a change in culture and identity. …show more content…

In the book, it says, “something had given way inside him” (Achebe 66), which shows how he was starting to feel insecure about his religion and the logic of their traditions. Along with the twins, the feeling “descended on him again” (Achebe 66) when his father, Okonkwo, came home after killing Ikemefuna. Along with this, Nwoye struggles to live up to the standard that his father has set as what is manly and what is not. To Okonkwo, killing someone without hesitation is a sign of strength and manliness, however Nwoye values feelings and preserving life higher than manliness. These instances display how Nwoye is considering if what his culture and family believes to be just and right, is really ethical or

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