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Things Fall Apart Imperialism

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This stanza by W.B. Yeats in his poem, The Second Coming, correlates superbly to the novel, Things Fall Apart, by asserting how the world can turn chaotic. Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart, uses this verse to show the disastrous impact British Colonization had on the Igbo culture during their African imperialistic efforts in Nigeria. In this historical novel, Achebe depicts the life of a hard-working warrior and clan leader, named Okonkwo, and the struggles he faces throughout his life. Meanwhile, the arrival of white missionaries is shown in a different perspective than previous imperialist novels by showing how their attempts wreaked havoc on Okonkwo’s village and African culture. In Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, the main character, …show more content…

Ikemefuna, an adopted boy of Okonkwo, was cherished by Okonkwo because he exemplified manly traits that Okonkwo wanted in a weaker Nwoye, his real son. Eventually, Ikemefuna needed to be killed as ordered by the Oracle of the Hills without the assistance of his father, Okonkwo.But as we see on page 61, this did not transpire. “As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked away. He heard the blow. The pot fell and broke in the sand. He heard Ikemefuna cry, ‘My father, they have killed me!’ as he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 61). Achebe has included this quote to show how Okonkwo’s inner fear of femininity results in Okonkwo striking Ikemefuna himself. This sacrifice by Okonkwo shows how he views masculine over feminine values such as being gentle toward his beloved adopted son. Subsequently, his actions praise how loyal Okonkwo was towards the rituals of their culture. “The Earth cannot punish me for obeying her messenger,’ Okonkwo said. ‘A child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm” (Achebe 67). Achebe uses this quote to explain how Okonkwo’s sacrifice was thought as justified for following the Oracle’s request, making loyalty seem supreme to morality. In the sacrifice of Ikemefuna by Okonkwo, we see that Okonkwo values obeying the laws of his society and acting manly over showing affection to his dear

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Okonkwo’s aggressive ways caused Nwoye to rely on Ikemefuna, A boy given to Okonkwo by a neighboring village, as an older brother who teaches him a more gentle form of masculinity. The bond between Nwoye and Ikemefuna was stronger than the bond between Nwoye and Okonkwo ever was because of Okonkwo’s refusal to demonstrate affection towards his son as it could make him appear weak. However, because of the death of Ikemefuna, Nwoye fears having to return to the harsh values of his father. Okonkwo’s stubborn ideas of masculinity ruined his relationship with his son beyond repair. Okonkwo’s refusal to show emotion towards his family pushed them apart which shows that Okonkwo is not willing to give up his stern values and reputation to be emotionally committed to his family.

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Hot Topic Post Lab II Marine plankton are often mislabeled by many marine researchers. Originally, scientists classified them as either phytoplankton (primary producers) or zooplankton (primary consumers). However, recent studies reveal that these organisms are not a dichotomy, but rather a single class of multifaceted plankton. These mixotrophs acquire both plant and animal like characteristics and are very abundant in the earth’s oceans. Mixotrophic plankton are responsible for almost half of the photosynthetic activity on earth.

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This quote by Achebe, “‘My father, they have killed me!’ As he ran towards him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (61), especially the last sentences, illustrates that

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The author, Chinua Achebe, used Okonkwo as an example of the father/son conflict and how the conflict affects a man’s life. Just because one does not always act like the typical strong, almost emotionless man, that does not mean one is coward. Okonkwo’s thought process leads to his demise because he cannot bear to see the strong willed tribe and culture he has known his whole life fail him: just

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837 Words | 4 Pages

The author presents this to us by stating,“Okonkwo was provoked to justifiable anger by his youngest wife who went to her friend's house and did not return home early enough to cook the afternoon meal… he walked back to his obi to await ojiugo’s return. And when she returned he beat her heavily.(achebe 21)” This shows that he is violent because he beat up one of his own wives that he loved just because she could not make him food. When this situation occurs Okonkwo is on the hero stage of ordinary birth because the author added this quote to show Okonkwo's personality and how little things can easily upset him. Another way that Okonkwo showed violence is when he killed the messenger, “‘What do you want here?’

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612 Words | 3 Pages

This quote shows Okonkwo thinks of himself very highly and thinks that he should never fail or show weakness. In addition, “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog.” (Achebe 188). This quote further shows that the colonist that came led to

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889 Words | 4 Pages

The novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, defines an important literary example of the historical conflict of European colonialism in Nigeria during the

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786 Words | 4 Pages

When Ikemefuna runs towards him, “Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 13). Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna because he is afraid someone will believe he is weak and similar to his unsuccessful father. He lets this fear of compassion and failing control his life and his decisions. When he is faced with a difficult choice he completes the action that will portray him as a man and not as an agbala, a woman.

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646 Words | 3 Pages

In the beginning of the story, Okonkwo was a very vigorous man who everyone loves. One day a killing happened leaving Okonkwo with a wife and a son, Ikemefuna. He grew to like the young boy, where he is different from his other children, On a fateful day, Okonkwo murders Ikemefuna. Okonkwo had a load of guilt for killing his adoptive son, Ikemefuna.

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970 Words | 4 Pages

This also represents the importance of image to him and shows that he is self-conscious about himself. “‘We shall not do you any harm,’ said the District Commissioner..” (Achebe 194). This is quite ironic since the Europeans ended up abusing Okonkwo and his comrades and eventually destroying the Igbo culture. In this quote the author is implying that in the European's’ perspective, they are doing a good thing for the Igbo in the Umuofia by changing their beliefs, but in reality they are destroying their culture which the foundation and the identity of the Igbo.

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1119 Words | 5 Pages

He was too proud to let his tribe give up their warlike history. He was to proud and self-assured to accept his son's choices. Okonkwo is a sad character whose pride has constantly led him down the crooked path. Achebe shows that being proud isn't a constructive thing for the future. That development can only occur when pride is put aside, and people think logically instead of

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855 Words | 4 Pages

Among those of the same culture, individuals who are adaptive and open-minded can be successful when there is cultural collision. When the Igbo and European cultures collide, Okonkwo gradually spirals out of control, losing everything he values and his own sense of self. From the beginning of the novel, Achebe depicts Okonkwo as a virile warrior and a successful farmer within the Igbo tribe. Reacting with violence to anything he considers “womanly” or “weak”, “He was a man of action and man of war” (10). Because of his reputation as a warrior he is highly respected by his community.

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1774 Words | 8 Pages

The hatred that he had for his father he carried with him throughout his whole life. That hatred turned into him killing Ikemefuna and the messenger. Ikemefuna was thought of as a son and he killed him in fear of being considered weak in front of his clan members. That weakness was thought of his weakness which was considered a failure. At the end of the story Okonkwo ends up being just like his father which is ironic because he strived to be nothing like him.

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728 Words | 3 Pages

Ikemefuna and Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye, were really close as Nwoye looked up to Ikemefuna as a role model and older brother. After the clan decided that they had to kill Ikemefuna the elders told Okonkwo not to get involved since they had a really close relationship. Even though they said that Okonkwo still got involved in the murder and killed him with a matchet. This quote shows us that even though they had a very close relationship Okonkwo took up a matchet and killed Ikemefuna just to show his manliness. Okonkwo’s decision of killing Ikemefuna was a bad decision because after this many horrible events soon

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895 Words | 4 Pages

In the Ibo hierarchal society, women are the subject of unequal treatment and patronization. They are considered weak and are not given any power. As the novel, Things Fall Apart unravels, the author, Chinua Achebe reveals the distinct attributes of femininity. Feminine traits are also viewed with disdain in Umuofian society, especially by the protagonist of the novel, Okonkwo. His past experiences shape his disposition and give rise to his stereotypical mentality; however, several events contradict the prevalent perspective of women, leading to Okonkwo facing conflicts within himself.

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