Colonial Consequences A dusty dirt road is disturbed by a stomping army, it rises. A village, a nation, a culture, a society is disturbed and violated by outsiders, it falls. The difference between the dirt and the human is their origin. The dirt road leads the way and invites travelers to stir it up, taking it with them on their journey, and bringing their foreign soil to it. The human, with a nature of its own does not always welcome the unfamiliar and is hardly expected to be as easily compliant as the dust. To be stomped upon, broken, disturbed, corrupted or treated as such. The human, the culture, is not earth to be claimed, traversed upon, or stolen; not a substance in which to plant seeds forcefully, to sow from, take from, or profit …show more content…
The book began with two large parts that described the history, customs, and members of the Igbo society, illustrating a picture of Okonkwo, an Ibo man, and his life. After setting the stage, placing the characters in unknowing preparation for the forthcoming, the novel continues to part three: the arrival of British colonialism and Christian missionaries. Suddenly Okonkwo’s world was turned upside down; things fell apart. Not knowing that the white men he learned about during his exile in Mbanta were going to place a foothold in his own village by the time of his return, Okonkwo faced the decision of how to respond: resistance or concession. A warrior by nature, Okonkwo ultimately chose actions which led to his demise. In an effort to protect his society from the forceful change that the white men’s presence brought, what positive qualities Okonkwo possessed as a human, the instinct and emotion that led him to take action, were stomped upon and abused by his opposition. Like clay, the Igbo people were molded, like dirt they were …show more content…
Both were filled with conviction, anger, resistance, and faced similar fates. Both, in the end were the cause of their own demise, however, the original cause that led them to take such action was not their own. Had their way not been disrupted, the men would not have had to sacrifice their lives in stand of what they knew. Though, it seems they shared the same view many men have quoted, that they would have rather died on their feet than lived on their knees. To surrender is a battle one faces within, to fight is with every fiber of ones being. Those who surrendered to the changes that were forced upon them were not spared, they too faced demise in different ways, maybe not as quickly. Attempting to sustain survival is a large part of the consequence of colonialism. Some had to become dirt to live, surrendering. Others joined the soil in their end,
Despite his love for the culture in which he was born, Okonkwo, an esteemed member and warrior of the Ibo peoples of Africa, has a difficult time complying with the traditions of his tribe. Although he respects the tribe’s customs and the decisions of the elders, Okonkwo often makes rash decisions that bring him and his family unnecessary troubles. He strives to gain the tribe’s respect, as well as to compensate for his father’s “failed” life by portraying himself as the perfect man and warrior; however, his efforts toward honor seem to always end in dishonor. In a way, the reasons for his behavior come from deep within Okonkwo himself, not the culture of which he is a part. Compensation for character flaws turns in overcompensation, which places him out of touch with his community. In short, his sense of, and obsession for, self-image acts as a catalyst for his actions throughout the book.
...m his own. I felt that Okonkwo’s exile was very much needed for him, because it taught him the true meaning of an extended family, taught him some humility and how to cope with failure which was ostensibly dealt by his own hands. When Okonkwo returned to his original village his alienation hit him hard. His village was completely changed. The Europeans destroyed the Igbo framework that gave Okonkwo his validation. Okonkwo felt alienated from all that once made him a man. This can relate back to our everyday lives because it shows us how important home is and how without it one may not feel the will to live. This goes back to Achebe’s soul purpose of writing this novel, which was to educate the reader on the effects of the devastating European colonization upon Nigeria. The change was so much for Okonkwo to take in. So much so that it was enough to take his own life.
Okonkwo wanted to become one of the greatest men in the Ibo tribe, but three unfortunate events occur bringing him closer to his end. Okonkwo was a proud, industrious figure who through hard work was able to elevate himself to a stature of respect and prominence in his community. The one major character flaw was that he was a man driven by his fear to extreme reactions. Okonkwo was petrified of inadequacy namely because his father was a complete and utter failure. This fear of shortcoming made him hate everything his father loved and represented: weakness, gentleness, and idleness. Who was Okonkwo, well Okonkwo was a hero and also he...
Chinua Achebe?s Things Fall Apart is a narrative story that follows the life of an African man called Okonkwo. The setting of the book is in eastern Nigeria, on the eve of British colonialism in Africa. The novel illustrates Okonkwo?s struggles, triumphs, and his eventual downfall, all of which basically coincide with the Igbo?s society?s struggle with the Christian religion and British government. In this essay I will give a biographical account of Okonwo, which will serve to help understand that social, political, and economic institutions of the Igbos.
The protagonists of this novel, Okonkwo, is an especially masculine leader in the Indu tribe in Nigeria. The novel starts off with some background information that Okonkwo was forced into independence at a very young age, mentally isolating him from other children and his family. Okonkwo reflects, "I began to fend for myself at an age when most people still suck at their mothers’ breasts." (Achebe, 9). Immediately this statement causes great sympathy for Okonkwo because of his parents terrible nurturing skills, as well as the lack of childhood that Okonkwo got to experience. Not only does it cause sympathetic feelings, but it also allows the reader to see Okonkwo's heroic qualities that he acquired at such a young age. Similarly to Winterson, Okonkwo put in effort to remove himself from the isolation that his family forced him into as well as making the reader feel compassionate towards
...e in the novel in that it represents quite closely the moral struggle of the reader. Although the reader might view the practices of the African clan to be wrong, they can empathize with Okonkwo, and also see the morally appalling actions of the Christians.
Okonkwo is first affected by the westerner’s cultural influence during his isolation. When Okonkwo accidently shot a child, causing him to be banished to his motherland where he hears the news of the white men and their influence within Umuofia. However, this does not truly affect Okonkwo until his son Nwoye is “among the missionaries in Umuofia” (Achebe 143). This is the
William James, a famous American philosopher, once stated, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives”. This quotation effectively illustrates how change in one’s attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs can alter the environment in which one lives. This concept is clearly demonstrated throughout the novel Things Fall Apart, authored by Chinua Achebe, by establishing a connection through the development of its characters and the change in traditional African tribal villages seen in the Nineteenth Century. It will be established how various characters demonstrated by the author throughout the novel exemplify how change in one’s attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs can alter the environment in which one lives addressed by William James’s quote above. First, by analyzing Achebe’s development of Okonkwo’s character through his initial character description and the emergence of outsiders, it is evident that he is portrayed as an old fashioned character that is less responsive to change. Secondly, through examining Nwoye’s character, Okonkwo’s son, it becomes apparent that the youth in the novel are more open-minded, easily persuadable and more adaptive to societal changes. Lastly, uncovering the meaning behind the arrival of European missionaries, it becomes apparent that Achebe defines this group as being a “disease”, poisoning the society in which Okonkwo lives. The author look’s at individuals as being critical and influential figures in shaping the environment to which they belong, beginning with Okonkwo.
Consequently, the native traditions gradually disappeared and in time the whole local social structure within which the indigenous people had lived successfully for centuries was destroyed. Achebe spends the first half of the novel depicting the Ibo culture, by itself, in both a sophisticated and primitive light describing and discussing its grandeur, showing its strengths and weaknesses, etiquettes and incivilities, and even the beginning of cultural breakdown before the introduction of the missionaries. The collapse of the old culture is evident soon after the missionaries arrived, and here Achebe utilises two of the primary missionary figures, Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith, to once again depicts both sides of the Ibo culture between them, with Mr. Brown depicting the sophisticated and Mr. Smith depicting the primitive aspects. The main focus in this novel is on one man, Okonkwo, the protagonist who symbolises the many Nigerians, or Africans who were struggling against the white missionaries, who brought their religion and policies and imposed them on Okonkwo’s and the other surrounding tribes. Achebe also shows how great the effect is when something seemingly un-invasive, such as a church, is set up in a Nigerian or African culture.
The Caparo Industries Plc v Dickman was a case that regarding a test for a duty of care. In this case, an organization called Fidelity Plc which is manufacturers of electrical equipment, was the objective of a takeover by Caparo Industries Plc because of Fidelity Plc was not doing well. In May 1984 fidelity’s directors made an announcement in its yearly profits for the year up to March affirming the negative viewpoint, the share price fall. At the point, Caparo Industries had started purchasing up shares in huge numbers. In June 1984 the annual records, which done by the accountant Dickman, were issued to the shareholders which currently included Caparo Industries. Therefore, Caparo Industries who had a majority shares,
Overall, Okonkwo is a crucial part to the story Things Fall Apart, for he represents African culture, and helps demonstrate how colonization can change everything. Through this book we see how colonization changed history, and how it is important for groups, tribes, societies to stay together in times of invasion, in order to protect their own customs and traditions; and how crucial a sense of unity would've been for the Umuofian tribe. Okonkwo was the sense of unity of the tribe, doing everything he could could to protect it. His collection of honorable titles, his love for his tribes culture, his drive and passion, and even his booming pride all contribute to his district character, a true hero in my eyes.
It is important to note that Achebe was a product of both traditional Igbo society and the colonizing British culture. Therefore, the narrative is influenced by two strikingly opposed philosophies. The tragic hero, Okonkwo, may have been crafted to express, not only the Igbo philosophy of harmony, but the outsider interpretation of a seemingly paradoxical belief system. Achebe's representation of Okonkwo may symbolize the collision of these two conflicting philosophies.
For an abundance of authors, the driving force that aids them in creation of a novel is the theme or number of themes implemented throughout the novel. Often times the author doesn’t consciously identify the theme they’re trying to present. Usually a theme is a concept, principle or belief that is significant to an author. Not only does the theme create the backbone of the story, but it also guides the author by controlling the events that happen in a story, what emotions are dispersed, what are the actions of characters, and what emotions are presented within each environment to engage the readers in many
Upon an initial reading of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, it is easy to blame the demise of Okonkwo’s life and of the Umofia community on the imperialistic invasions of the white men. After all, Okonkwo seemed to be enjoying relative peace and happiness before then. He did have a few mishaps; one of them resulted in him being exiled for eight years. Nonetheless, he returned to his home town with high spirits and with prospects of increased success. However, everything has changed. The white men have brought with them a new religion and a new government. Okonkwo’s family falls apart. The men in his village lose their courage and valor; they do not offer any resistance to the white men. Consequently, Okonkwo kills himself in disgrace and Umofia succumbs to the white men. However, the white men are not the only people responsible for demise of Umofia. The Igbo culture, particularly their views on gender roles, sows the seed of their own destruction. By glorifying aggressive, manly traits and ignoring the gentle, womanly traits, Umofia brings about its own falling apart.
Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, uses the changes in African tribal culture brought about by European colonization to illustrate the evolution of the character Okonkwo. As Okonkwo leads his life, his experiences, personality and thought are revealed to the reader. The obstacles he faces in life are made numerous as time progresses. Okonkwo's most significant challenge originates within himself. He also encounters problems not only when in opposition to the white culture, but in his own culture, as he becomes frustrated with tribal ideals that conflict with his own. The last adversary he encounters is of the physical world, brought upon himself by his emotional and cultural problems. The manner through which Okonkwo addresses his adversaries in Things Fall Apart creates the mechanism that leads to his eventual destruction.