Things Fall Apart Quote Analysis

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” John F. Kennedy. This quote emphasizes that life is a process of constant change. Change is necessary for growth. If things get stuck in a place, there is never going to be progress. Nevertheless, there are people as Okonkwo whom change costs a lot of work, either mental or physical. These people often have difficulty adapting in places where sudden changes occur, because they live in a continuous state of stress, for trying to control the uncontrollable. In the extraordinary novel Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe, the author illustrates an apocalyptic vision by describing the changes taking place in the Igbo society in Nigeria at the

time of its colonization by the British. When Europeans arrived in Nigeria, they devoted themselves to spread their culture and religious ideology; consequently, the Africans were terribly affected by the radical change in their culture. Achebe uses Okonkwo’s story to develop a more ample understanding of the cultural values of African tribes. In Things Fall Apart, the protagonist has tried to remain strong against the tide of change taking place in his culture when the white missionaries brought in the division among families and the tribes in Africa, however, everything becomes unmanageable and he ends up losing his place as a man in his culture. Throughout history, there have been major changes going on; many cultures have been impacted by this, as when the Europeans greatly influenced the lifestyle of the African population, which is evident in Achebe’s novel.
Colonization of the African continent from the late 19th century thru the late 20th century caused African societies to put up diverse forms of opposition against the attempt in colonizing their countries and impose foreign control.

European dominance completely changed the political, economic, and social structure of African societies. “European powers viewed Africans as “primitive people” so they assigned themselves a duty to civilize or teach them, the Africans the ‘proper civilization’ of which they meant colonization, imposition of European civilization and exploitation of Africans (World History 158). The European imperialist process gave rise to a profound crisis in indigenous cultures; convinced that their culture was the most advanced, they felt obliged to give it to know and seek means to make others adopt it, thus spreading their political systems, customs, religion and philosophical concepts. Moreover, before the influence of countries, like England and France in African territories, the form of life there was completely different in many aspects. The political systems of most of the African populace, apparently was a tribal organization that represented a smaller group of the lineage that has been disengaged from its ancient origin, seeking their independence and new territory. Authority was based on affiliation, which is within the family, the village, the region or the nation, and the chief of the tribe met executive, ritual and judicial functions, according to the pattern of government in each constituent unit of kinship. The political organization depended on factors of kinship, emotional, legal, and rituals. However, with the arrival of Europeans and their political system, these systems were permanently displaced. These people would change the course of Africa with their new doctrine. The political change occurring on the continent of Africa is reflected in Things Fall Apart when the white missionaries westernize the Umuofian government by

including a court, a district commissioner, and court messengers. Foreigners who came to Umuofia dramatically changed Africans’ lifestyle in many areas, “apart from the church, the white men had also brought a government. They had built a court where the District Commissioner judged cases in Ignorance” (Achebe 174). The change in political systems that took place in Africa is displayed in Achebe’s novel. Before the white missionaries came to Umuofia there was a form of government known as Egwugwu. They were known as the ancestral spirits of a clan that consisted of nine men, one for each of the nine villages who hold strong influence over the affairs of the community as the guardian of the tradition and defender of the people. They fairly judge disputes among the villages by listening to both parties. This way, the political system was practiced in Umuofia. The settlers deliberately replaced these systems with their own political system, regardless the fact that the villagers were already satisfied with what they had. The districts Commissioners are the authoritarian figure, who took absolute control claiming to be experts in the management of the tribes. However, they only sought for self-interest. The political systems in Africa were not the only aspects of Africa affected by colonization.
Colonialism imposition in Africa had a profound impact on many areas of the inhabitants’ lives. The indigenous people were also forced to renounce religious practices, experiencing the bitterness of the loss of culture. In Achebe’s novel, the protagonist flatly refuses to imitate the European way of life. Okonkwo is driven by fear, a fear of change and loss of self-worth. He wanted to preserve the ways of the tribe and its customs everlastingly, “How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart." (Achebe 176). The inhabitants of Umuofia have always lived in a social balance validated by the centuries and sanctioned by their religious beliefs. The whites suddenly appear with their new religion wanting to change what was already in place. The conflict arises, which is the fruit of the colonial despotism. As a result, Igbo society has difficulty in understanding the Christian beliefs as they have lived a tribal existence for so long. They have only been exposed to their own culture, which makes it difficult for them to adapt to the ways of the new religion. The religious change taking place in Africa is also reflected in Okonkwo’s story, as the arrival of the missionaries resulted in more effects than simply the spreading of a religion all around the continent. The European invasion of Africa has also brought the division among compatriots in Umuofia due to a complete alteration of life.
Europeans’ influence in Africa eventually prevailed. The indigenous domineering classes would imitate the European way of life and value their culture and traditions above their own belief. This undoubtedly would cause discord among the people resistant to change that is also seen in the novel. The structure of Umuofia quickly changed, as Christians gained control of the community, Okonkwo was unable to adapt his methods of self-evaluation and ways of functioning in the world; the life he was determined to live could not survive a new environment and collapsed around him. “Okonkwo’s machete descended twice and the man’s head lay beside his uniformed body… He knew that Umuofia would not go to war. He knew because they had let the other messengers escape. They had broken into tumult instead of action. He discerned fright in that tumult. He heard voices asking: “Why did he do it?” (Achebe 204-5). After his attempt in restoring order, he realizes that no one approved his violent action; Okonkwo finally realizes everything is out of hand and he cannot save his people and their traditions no matter how intensely he tries. His beloved and honored Umuofia is on the verge of surrender, and Okonkwo himself feels completely defeated before his enemies. Unfortunately, he no longer sees any solution to carry on their customs and traditions, as even his own people have easily assimilated the situation, and without remorse, acceded to sacrifice their habits to give entry to the foreign culture, so Okonkwo, in desperation, chooses the most dishonorable death possible, suicide, rather than allow himself to be handed over to the weak white man. Okonkwo commits suicide because since his greatest fear became a reality. He loses his place among the clansmen of his culture, a place now occupied by the Church and Christian values.
Change is part of life, and not an insurmountable obstacle that someone puts intentionally in our path. People must put aside all those negative thoughts and possible anticipations, which will certainly put more thorns in their footpath towards the change. The truth is any change creates uncertainty and fear; people feel that for a moment, they will lose control of their lives. However, it is important to be open to new possibilities as long as there is respect. Although in this case, a new form of government deliberately took upon a stabilized society to change their habits or ‘make it civilized' ignoring the natives’ principle. It would have been good if the change was carried out under the inhabitants’ opinion, but the Europeans, believing themselves as a superior race, imposed their culture surpassing the limits of fairness. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo’s fear of change led to his death, even though it is noteworthy that at least he died in the attempt to bring everything back into place. Okonkwo's death can be interpreted as loyalty to his origin, as he preferred to die than to witness how Europeans wipe their culture, their gods, and their institutions off the map, corrupting even their dreams.