Things Fall Apart

815 Words2 Pages

In every culture there are universals, these are the building blocks to the foundation of a society. Universals dictate how the people who live in the culture interact with one another. Things Fall Apart is set in Umuofia, Africa(now Nigeria) and makes observations on the cultural universals of the Igbo people which are much different from the Zulu people another african tribe who live in Zulu(now South Africa.) We can further understand other societies ways of life by making observations about these natives rituals, supernatural beliefs and gender roles within the society. In every different culture there are different rituals these can be events that the whole society takes place or just things people do religiously.The rituals in the Igbo …show more content…

In Umuofia it is believed that when a women has a child and it does not live past infancy that the child is a bad spirit that will be reborn over and over again until the stone in which it’s evil spirit get’s it power from is dug up and destroyed after that the child will live a long happy life (Achebe, 77.) The Zulu share a similar belief that all bad things that happen are caused by evil or offended spirits so if a mother were to lose her child before the child has grown past infancy it would be considered the work of a spirit.(africa.uima.uiowa.edu) The Umuofia people also commonly believed that a woman in the village is sometimes possessed by the Oracle and believe that she starts to prophesize about what will happen next in the village and will sometimes give demands for the villagers to fulfill “Once in a while Chielo was possessed by the spirit of her god and she began to prophesy.” (Achebe, 100.) In Zulu they have different beliefs, they do not believe that spirits are so involved in their everyday lives and they do not communicate with these

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe
1351 Words | 3 Pages
In the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, women play the roles of oppressed homemakers that are perceived as weak and defenseless second-class citizens, as the educators of children, and as spiritual leaders in traditional Ibo culture. Through the life of Okonwo, the main character of Things Fall Apart, the roles of women in traditional Ibo culture are presented through various events that take place in the village of Umuofia. In traditional Ibo culture, women were to stay at home and tend to her husbands’ needs and satisfy them. Women were viewed as property of their fathers and were then sold to the suitor that was willing to pay her bride-price. A woman had no identity of her own, the status and position of her husband defined her. Women were considered inferior to men and were not to challenge or question their authority. When Nwoye’s mother or Okonwo’s senior wife questioned how long was Ikemefuna to stay with them, Okonwo was stunned at her questioning him and furiously responded, “ Do what you are told, woman ,” When did you become one of the ndichie of Umuofia?”(14). And so Nwoye’s mother took Ikemefuna to her hut and asked no more questions. In observance with the Ibo view of female nature, the clan allowed wife beating. The novel describes two instances when Okonwo beats his wives. The first instance is when Okonwo beats his wife, Ojiugo for not coming home to prepare his meal. He beat her severely and was punished but only because he beat her during The Week of Peace. Any other time people would not have come over to see why a woman was screaming, but this was during the Week of Peace, and to beat someone during The Week of Peace was unheard of. The second instance is when he beats his second wife, Ekwefi for ...
Read More
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
1112 Words | 3 Pages
The novel Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe highlights the many important historical events that happened during the period of colonialism, spread of religious fervor to Africa from Europe, and the importance of the native religion among African societies. Achebe shows that religion holds a major influence in many African societies and influences the daily life of the natives. Furthermore, the novel introduces a major event that happen during pre-colonial Africa, the spread of the Christian faith, which forever changed and affected the natives in Africa, more specifically the Igbo society located in Nigeria. Things Fall Apart vividly describes and explains how the Christian faith that arrived in Africa changed both the individuals in the Umoufia and society. To add on, the novel shows how the spread of Christianity ultimately leads to the destruction of the many native African cultures, and shows what redeeming qualities that arise from the destruction of their culture. Achebe describes how the Christian faith acts as a guide to the Igbo society and at the same time acts as the inevitable downfall of the Igbo society.
Read More
Cultural Differences In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe
960 Words | 2 Pages
Culture makes us who we are. Each individual has their own culture from their experiences in life and is developed from societal influences. The various cultures around the world influence us in different ways which we experience at least once in our lifetime. There are occasions, especially in history, where cultures clash with one another. For instance, the English colonization in Africa changed their culture. Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart, portrayed this change in the Igbo people’s society, especially through the character Okonkwo in the village of Umuofia; the introduction of Western ideas challenged him. In the novel Things Fall Apart, the author Chinua Achebe introduces to us Okonkwo whose character’s response to the
Read More
Things Fall Apart
698 Words | 2 Pages
In Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Mr. Brown, the first missionary in Umuofia, was a kind and respectful man. Not to say that Reverend James Smith was not, but his degree of kindness and respect were present in a whole different level. They both wanted to convert the lost, all those in Umuofia that were not in the church. Mr. Brown made friends with the clan and “trod softly on his faith,” (pg.178) while Mr. Smith told them how things were in a harsh voice and tried to force his religion on the people of Umuofia. The impacts the two had on the people and the church were exact opposites.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
1974 Words | 4 Pages
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.
Read More
Perspective in Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
934 Words | 2 Pages
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe tells the story of how one unified Umuofian community falls due to its own inner conflicts, as well as to the arrival of Christian missionaries. Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart to change the brutish image of Africa, for the Western world. The use of changing perspectives greatly aided Achebe in accurately portraying Africa as colorful, diverse and complex. For Westerners, viewing Africans as more than tribal and barbaric was a new concept, of which Achebe helped usher in. The story is told through the eyes of many Umuofians, which gives the reader a personal sense for the individuals within the tribe. When all the individual pieces of the story are brought together, the sifting perspectives creates a vast overview of the community, while also deepening the readers since for the tribe by allowing personal details to show through. Achebe captures the complexity of the Umuofia community by changing the perspective from which the story is being told frequently.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
1211 Words | 3 Pages
In life people are very rarely, if ever, purely good or evil. In novels authors tend not to create characters with an obvious moral standing not only to make their novel more applicable to the reader, but also to make the characters more complex and dynamic. Chinua Achebe uses this technique to develop the characters in his novel, Things Fall Apart. The main character, and protagonist in the novel, Okonkwo, is very morally dynamic showing some sensitivity to his family and friends, but in an attempting to rebel against his father, Okonkwo also exhibits the tendency to lash out violently.
Read More
Umuofia Government In Chinua Achebe's Thing Fall Apart
1021 Words | 3 Pages
In almost all events that take place in Thing Fall Apart have something to do with religion or superstition. An example of this is Umuofia 's famous Oracle where village residents come to do things from settling disputes to speaking with departed spirits. The book describes the Oracle states “Worshippers and those who came to seek knowledge from the god crawled on their belly through the hole and found themselves in a dark, endless space in the presence of Agbala. No one had ever beheld Agbala, except his priestess. But no one who had ever crawled into his awful shrine had come out without the fear of his power.” (page 16) Umuofia 's oracle acts as the court for most violations made by villagers. It is visited several times by the story as the characters face judgment and punishment. Umuofia 's superstitious nature is also present on the town’s day to day goings on, such as the Kola nut. In the novel, Kola nuts are used as offerings and carry a strong superstitious value. In a gathering between Okoye and Unoka, argue over who should break the kola nut as Okoye states “he who brings kola brings life.” (page 6) later they go on to pray to their ancestors for health and protection before eating. This tradition carries a power equal to that of other ceremonies like the Japanese tea ceremony or the christian act of praying before feasts. It is vital to how the people of Umuofia interact and therefore must not be
Read More
Thematic Essay: Things Fall Apart
1285 Words | 3 Pages
Humans’ natural instincts are to deny a new aspect and stick to older ones. Nevertheless, old and new aspects are intertwined. Traditions and change are ever present in society, without them society would not prosper. Traditions are the foundations of society. However, just like any other foundation, sooner or later it must be altered or changed, even in the most miniscule way. The Umuofia Tribe, though prosperous only knew traditions. When change is mentioned and brought to the tribe, the tribe is dumbstruck, most do not know how to respond, while other embrace the change with open arms. In the novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, traditions and change are depicted as equally beneficial to society.
Read More
Universal Symbolism in Things Fall Apart
1172 Words | 3 Pages
... only used by Achebe to further enrich the common theme of clash of opposing cultures, but they also are what make Things Fall Apart a universal human experience that is common to all people. Achebe uses these symbols because all cultures can relate to them: drums are seen as a celebration of culture, locusts are unwanted invaders, and fire is destructive. Things Fall Apart is written from the unique African point of view, and it shows how Europeans have destroyed important parts of African culture. Perhaps Achebe uses universal symbols not only to make it more relevant to all cultures, but also to seek increased humanitarian missions to Africa. Nevertheless, Achebe’s use of figurative language and common elements not only highlight the most profound changes that Umuofia experiences, but it also causes people to question their preconceived notions on society.
Read More
Things Fall Apart Gender Roles
850 Words | 2 Pages
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a novel primarily about the life of an Igbo leader that takes place in Umuofia, a fictional village in Nigeria. Although this novel was published in 1958, many details about the societal structure and gender roles are present in many societies toady. In particular, in the Umuofian tribe as described in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the role of women and children as well as the work apportioned between women, men, and children is outlined by strict conventions and expectations placed upon by Igbo society.
Read More
Things Fall Apart Betrayal
700 Words | 2 Pages
Africa, a once thriving continent. They had so much culture, until the white missionaries came, and ruined it all. These white missionaries came to spread the religion of Christianity. They were the first wave of the attack on Africa, with the final goal to set up colonies.In Things Fall Apart by Achebe this idea was very comman throughout all of the book. Things Fall Apart follows a man named Okonkwo, who lives in Nigeria with his family as it’s colonization began, but Things Fall Apart is ultimately a book about betrayal. Betrayal, the violation of trust, or confidence that produces moral and psychological conflict among others. This happens so much in Things Fall Apart. It has betrayal of a father who slaughtered his son, betrayal of a son
Read More
Things Fall Apart
486 Words | 1 Pages
Things Fall Apart “Things Fall Apart” takes place in a village called Umuofia in Nigeria around the 1900s. The story also migrates around different villages surrounding Umuofia. Umuofia starts to notice changes when foreigners start to wander into the small town.
Read More
Things Fall Apart
627 Words | 2 Pages
The title of the story is “Things fall Apart”,by Chinua Achebe. The genre of Things fall Apart is a historical drama. The story takes place in the umuofia Village in nigeria on the 1900s. The main character of the Book things fall apart was a man named OkonKwo. He is a very respected man in his village umuofia for his accomplishments.
Read More
African Traditional Religions
435 Words | 1 Pages
In worship and sacrifice there is co-responsibility. Each person contributes his share in a spirit of participation. Symbols bridge the spheres of the sacred and secular and so make possible a balanced and unified view of reality. An important part of the African traditional religion is the presence of spirits. The Spiritual Sphere In the African world spirits are everywhere in persons, trees, rivers, animals, rocks, mountains, automobiles and other personal effects.
Read More

Open Document

Wait a second!

Things Fall Apart