“Things Fall Apart” is set in the 1890, portraying not only the culture of Igbo society, but also the conflict between Igbo society and the European government. His novel contrasted the stereotypical impressions of native africans. His novel, while portraying the firm beliefs, traditions and culture of Igbo society, also does not stereotype Europeans, giving varying portraits of them, for example, the contradictory District Commissioner, who wanted to force people into becoming christians, as well as the well meaning Mr Brown, who instead tried to convince the Igbo people to convert by explaining his religion, instead of forcing them.
Chinua Achebe’s novel captures insights on both African and European perspectives on colonialism, religion and culture. A novel about African society adapting to change, “Things Fall Apart” show how the characters react to colonialism. Okonkwo, for example, is hostile towards the white men, as he is insecure about being thought feminine, and losing his status in society. Nwoye, however, is fascinated by the white men’s arrival, and wants to convert, despite his father being violently against his decision.
Things Fall Apart also teaches us important values, for example, to not have toxic mascuinity, namely being masculine to the point that your actions are harmful to others.
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“Things fall Apart” is set in Nigeria, in Igbo society, where Okonkwo, the protagonist, earned many titles at a young age, for example, wrestling, earned him much respect from Igbo society. However, Okonkwo, while being considered “masculine” in Igbo society, is deeply insecure about himself being thought feminine by the other people in the clan, and often acts masculine as to not be looked down by others.
One such example is when Ikemefuna was decreed to be killed by the Oracle. Ikemefuna, who lived with Okonkwo for 3 years, has grown very close to Okonkwo due to his desire to be masculine like Okonkwo. However, one day, Okonkwo’s friend, Ezeudu, tells him that Ikemefuna was decreed to be killed, and asks him to not take part in his death, as Ikemefuna calls Okonkwo “father”.
Later, one of the men attacks Ikemefuna with a machete, and Ikemefuna cries to Okonkwo for help. However, Okonkwo cut Ikemefuna down. Later on, Okonkwo, was depressed and felt weak. Even though Okonkwo thinks highly of Ikemefuna, he participated in his death as he does not want to look weak in front of everyone. One of the major aspects of Okonkwo is that he sets himself to be completely different from his father, who was thought to be weak, feminine and not masculine enough.
Therefore Okonkwo, throughout his life, afraid to be looked down, forces himself to be masculine, worried about how others might look at him. Fear is what drives Okonkwo to kill Ikemefuna, as he was afraid he would be thought weak if he stayed back and did not participate. After Ikemefuna’s death, Okonkwo is depressed and weak, as he scolds himself for being sad about Ikemefuna’s death. This elicits a sense of sympathy in the reader for Okonkwo, as in his attempt to be masculine, executed Ikemefuna, and caused him to feel weak and depressed, while trying to show everyone that he is masculine.
This scene shows how the Igbo characters in “Things Fall Apart” are greatly affected by how people think of them and greatly rooted to societal status, in which most of them lead to their own demise. This is a valuable lesson that can be applied to everyone: It does not matter what others think of you, as long as you know what is best for yourself. Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna in fear of being looked down by the clan, but in doing so led to his depression and weakness of the aftershock of the execution.
Another scene in “Things Fall Apart” which I wish to highlight is Okonkwo’s murdering of the messenger as well as his suicide. While Okonkwo was having a meeting to plan how to stop the white men, the head messenger appeared and ordered them to stop the meeting. Okonkwo, however, drew his machete and killed the messenger. The others, however, allow the rest of the messengers to go. Shortly after, he committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree. Despite all of Okonkwo’s efforts, he cannot stop the changes that are happening in the new world.
When Okonkwo killed the messenger and some people questioned his actions, he knew that his clan would not go to war against the white men. Having lost all hope, Okonkwo hangs himself, as he is unable to cope with the changes being implemented on his village. In the end, he commits suicide and dies in disgrace, impressing upon the reader Okonkwo’s internal struggle, wanting to banish the white men, yet being unable to do so as his village will no retaliate.
“Things Fall Apart fulfils” the criteria for benefiting mankind as it allows everyone to get a glimpse of different perspectives of African culture as well as colonialism.
