What Is Okonkwo's Transformation In Things Fall Apart

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“Colonialism subdues in many dulcet guises. It conquered under the pretext of spreading Christianity, civilization, law and order, to make the world safe for democracy.” In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, the protagonist, Okonkwo, feels that it is his destiny to become a great leader in the 19th century Umoufia. Everyone in this Igbo village respected Okonkwo greatly because he was very manly and strong. But when the European missionaries come to Umoufia to spread the word of Christianity, it complete changed his life and his people’s views of him. His people now see him as an efulefu, or a worthless man. During the “missionary takeover”, Okonkwo loses his son, Nwoye, due to his conversion to Christianity. He disowns Nwoye, because Nwoye is now greatly influenced by the white missionaries’ religion and even leaves his father for it as well. “Why, he cried in his heart, should he, Okonkwo, of all people, be cursed with such a son?” (Achebe 146). As the missionaries begin to increase their power in Umoufia, villagers (such as Nwoye) perceive their religious beliefs as untrue and completely powerless. Okonkwo takes note of this happening, and wants to end it immediately. …show more content…

Many Umoufians were converting towards Christianity. So, if a lot of people starting converting to Christianity, they won’t even care much about their Igbo customs, ranking system, or the egwugwu. "Obierika, who had been gazing steadily at his friend’s dangling body, turned suddenly to the District Commissioner and said ferociously: “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog…" (Achebe 192). When Okonkwo commits suicide, Obierika is terribly distraught and frustrated. He feels angry that the white missionaries drove such an incredible man to demolish his stature and made him kill himself for

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