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Stereotypes In Things Fall Apart Research Paper

1313 Words6 Pages

“The Rebuttal of Imperilast Stereotypes in Things Fall Apart” Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart clashes with traditional Imperialism and counters misinterpreted African stereotypes used during the European colonization of Africa. The 1958 publication directly disputes popular clichés of the time period by presenting signs of erudite civilization and society in eastern Nigeria. Achebe’s novel narrates the internal struggle an egotistical man named Okonkwo faces against pride and fear, while the community battles a potential destruction of culture caused by European colonialism and evangelism. He authored this story in hopes to disprove labels, such as “primordial” and “backwards”, associated with Africans by European writers including Joyce …show more content…

In the 1900s, the actual lifestyle of Africans was intensely distorted by novels such as Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Mister Johnson by Joyce Cary by not only illustrating Africans as inhumane, but describing the entire continent as mystical and enigmatic. Chinua Achebe hoped to abolish this racism with a novel that symbolizes the true picture of Africa, Things Fall Apart. The novel educates the ignorant who misrepresent or misbelieve African society, while simultaneously announcing the negativity associated with any stereotype. Although Achebe provides confirmation of a civilized society to contradict Imperialist views, the fulfillment of these perceptions occurs with Okonkwo’s refusal to adapt. The relentless acts of aggravation shown by the Christian missionaries and Europeans compel Okonkwo to emancipate his etiquette and murder a court messenger. His wrath is attested after the new religion and government eliminate the traditions and customs of the clan. This action only provokes more fallacies amongst the Europeans. Yet, a majority of these beliefs are disproved through analysis of the Ibo culture and society. Conclusively, Imperialist views in Things Fall Apart are presented and swiftly discredited by the sophisticated aspects of Ibo

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