"Things Fall Apart" and European Influence

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Chinua Achebe's novel "Things Fall Apart" and its theme that European intervention transformed the economic, political and religious structure of the Ibo society. The paper looks at how the novel demonstrates that the impact of Europe damages the culture of this small region of Africa, but the natives who wish to survive choose to conform to the European influences. The paper also relates that, in contrast to the natives that conformed, the central character of the novel, Okonkwo, does not conform and comes to a tragic end. The paper then looks at how, although the cultural, social, political, and economic changes that occurred in Ibo society contributed to Okonkwo's tragic fate, his masculinity, anger, and violence brings about his own destruction.

From the Paper:

"Things Fall Apart exhibit's the complexity of Igbo society before the arrival of the Europeans. It describes the laws and the trial process, the community and family rituals, the marriage traditions, food processes, shared leadership, and the opportunity for mobility in the social structure. The Ibo people are struggling between resisting and accepting change and they are trying to figure out how to become accustomed to this change. Many of them are excited about the new opportunities and methods that the Europeans bring. The effect of the Europeans, however, threatens the need for traditional Ibo practices and beliefs. "

More papers on "Things Fall Apart" and European Influence:

• Comparison Essay # 9544 : "Things Fall Apart" and " A Man of the People"
• Comparison Essay # 144714 : "Comparing "Things Fall Apart" and "The Heart of Darkness"
• Comparison Essay # 117522 : "Things Fall Apart" and "Half of a Yellow Sun"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: