Things Fall Apart Nwoye Identity Analysis

What exactly is cultural collision? Cultural collision is basically a clash in cultures or certain values. Nwoye’s perception of identity was challenged with the introduction of the new cultural changes in the Ibo culture. Nwoye begin out in the book as shy and timid, but thanks to the British colonist and Ibo people, Nwoye branched out and showed the people he could be different. The reasons for his changes in his identity was him questioning the right way to show manliness, him finding himself within the act, and the introduction of the new religion. Overall, the ending result of Nwoye and the cultural collision was he learned how to show courage and have positive effects of colonialism for himself and others.
The first reason Nwoye’s perception

of identity was challenged with the intro to the new Western ideas was because of him attempting to trail after his father’s footsteps. In the novel evidence provided that proves this is when in chapter seven it talked about how Okonkwo told stories of the land. The stories included bloodshed and violence. “Nwoye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but still preferred the stories that his mother use to tell.” (38) This evidence supports my claim by him know that his father wanted him to be a man, but instead he choose to be under his mom’s wing. No matter how much Nwoye tried to follow his father, it just wasn’t right for him. So to end the beating and rebuking he decided to give up his mom stories and own up to one’s about tribal wars.
Next reason of his perception of identity was challenged with the intro to the new Western ideas was him trying to find himself in the act. This means he dosen’t know who he is really at the same time, is trying to figure out. In the beginning of the novel, Nwoye is shy, timid, and speechless. “Nwoye, was then twelve years old but was already causing his father great anxiety for his incipient laziness.”(10) He was looked at as a sad-faced youth as Okonkwo recalled in the story. This text supports my claim because when Nwoye got older and started realizing what was going on, he took control of his life. He left his family and stood out because of him growing up and what he has seen and experienced while growing up.
Third reason Nwoye’s perception of identity was challenged with the intro to the new Western ideas was of the new religion brought into the village.

We see evidence from the text when Okonkwo’s cousin seen Nwoye among the christians.(113) His father was not very pleased. He went back to the church and told Mr. Kiaga that he had decided to go to Umuofia where the white missionary had set up a school to teach young Christians to read and write. (114) Nwoye was cheerful that he could leave his father. This evidence fortifies my claim because with Christianity being brought in he finally seen that he could be himself and make his own decisions without be judged. Out of all of it he just wanted to make Okonkwo happy, but instead Okonkwo had pushed him away with the a threat. His threat was that if he came into his compound again, he would be carried out of it.
Out of all the characters in “Things Fall Apart” who was mostly affected by the introduction of the Western ideas was Nwoye. In summation, Nwoye identity was greatly challenged with the introduction of the Western ideas into the Ibo culture. From my perspective, it made Nwoye a better and positive kid. He no longer has to be afraid and can now speak up and defend himself. He is now called Isaac, to the new training college for teachers in Umuru. (134) As Nwoye grows up, he can truly realize that him shifting away from his father was a great

option.