Things Fall Apart Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Prompt 1

In his book “Things Fall Apart,” Achebe introduces the reader to various aspects of pre-colonial Africa through the eyes of the Igbo people. This book explores the complex components of Igbo customs, traditions, and beliefs. Further, Achebe shines a light on how life was disrupted when the Europeans arrived in Africa. All throughout the book, Chinua Achebe uses literary devices like imagery and symbolism to push his point across to the reader. With these devices, he challenges Western claims about Africa which say the people and land there are waiting to be developed. This entire novel is a criticism of colonialism and attempts to show the destructive nature of colonialism. Through the book “Things Fall Apart,” Chinua Achebe presents

As the men continue celebrating, Okonkwo makes a crucial mistake by firing his gun prematurely, thus killing the dead warrior’s sixteen-year-old son. Although an accident, it violated the traditions of the village, and Okonkwo and his family were exiled. To add insult to injury, Okonkwo’s compound was burnt down to erase his presence from the village. Achebe uses this scene to challenge the Western claim that African societies lack a justice system. This scene clearly demonstrates how the Igbo people successfully implemented a working legal system and used it to punish Okonkwo and quickly usher him out of the village. Achebe effectively uses the character of Okonkwo to show how just the legal system in the village is. It may seem probable that a man of high status like Okonkwo could skirt the law by simply using his title, but Okonkwo is still held accountable for his actions, showing how he isn’t above the law. Ultimately, Achebe creates a powerful scene depicting how the working justice system of the Igbo people contrasts the classic barbaric view of

Brown, the missionary. This moment shows Akunna trying to explain his religion and the differences between the religion that is already in place and the one that Mr. Brown is trying to introduce to the Igbo people. Mr. Brown attempts to point out the faults in the village’s religion by saying their gods are “still a piece of wood.” The author makes use of this scene to challenge Western claims that say the African people are disorganized and in need of an overarching force to bring the clan together. Achebe successfully proves Western beliefs incorrect through and shows the people's resilience toward new beliefs like Christianity via the newly constructed church(meaning the people already have organization). The character Akunna is effectively used in this scene to show how faithful and loyal he is toward his traditional beliefs. Akunna is a well-respected leader and is well versed in the customs/traditions/beliefs of his people and thus makes it his mission to maintain the deep-rooted practices of the clan. Additionally, the dialogue between the two characters at the beginning of chapter 21 shows how Akunna is knowledgeable and quick to respond to the criticisms of Mr. Brown. Through dialogue and imagery, Achebe is quick to dismiss Western claims and shows how the people have a well-established religious