CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS OF THINGS FALL APART

African literature and post-colonial studies have greatly benefited from Achebe's works. A
new generation of African writers who aimed to subvert stereotypes and proclaim their
cultural narratives are said to have been influenced by him. Achebe has received various
accolades and awards for his literary efforts, like as the German Book Trade Peace Prize and
the Man Booker International Prize.

Nigerian author, critic, and scholar Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) is recognized as one of
Africa's most important and renowned literary giants. His first book, ‘Things Fall Apart,’ is
the one for which he is most well-known and is regarded as a masterpiece of international
literature.

On November 16, 1930, Achebe was born in Ogidi, a town located in the south-east region of
Nigeria. He was a member of one of Nigeria's main ethnic groupings, the Igbo. His
subsequent writings were greatly influenced by his early exposure to Igbo oral customs and
storytelling.

‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe is a novel set in pre-colonial Nigeria, portraying the
life of Okonkwo, a respected warrior and influential member of the Igbo community. The
story explores the impact of European colonization on traditional African societies and the
resulting clash between cultures.

The novel can be divided into three basic segments. The initial section spanning the first
thirteen chapters is largely concerned with providing readers with a vivid picture of the
traditional way of life enjoyed by the inhabitants of an Igbo village before the invasion of the
British. The second part of the book concerns the protagonist's exile during which both the
British colonial administration and Christian missionaries make significant progress in
displacing the traditional way of life in Umuofia. In Chapter 20 the protagonist Okonkwo
returns to Umuofia beginning the third and final part of the novel in which he helps to lead a
futile and ill-fated attempt to resist the cultural destruction leading to his death by suicide.

In addition, Things Fall Apart serves as a mirror to reflect Igboland, which lies in eastern
Nigeria, and how Igbo life was between 1850 and 1900, the period before and after the
advent of the British colonizers. Achebe tries to convey realistically the tensions of Igbo
people’s experiences under the influence of colonization. It is, in fact, his feelings for these
people’s dilemmas and troubles that bequeath the novel its potency.

The title of the novel is taken from ‘The Second Coming’ (1921), a poem by the Irish poet, W. B.
Yeats. Even the epigraph of the novel is taken from this poem:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.

Yeats uses the metaphor of the spiralling flying of a free ‘falcon’ as representative of his
view of ‘the cyclical movements of Western history, which are subject to periodic
convulsions as one epoch ends and another begins.’ Because of his belief that incidents like
World War I and the Russian Revolution were representatives of the fierce end of the latest
epoch of the civilization of the West, his poem depicts an earlier split in the history of
Europe, i.e. the downfall of ‘Graeco-Roman civilization and the rise of Christianity,’ to
divine the signals of a contemporary split that pinpoint the coming of another epoch.
Additionally, the title is taken in the context of Yeats's poem to connote collapse, chaos,
disintegration, looseness, mess, etc.
The novel begins by depicting the village of Umuofia, where Okonkwo strives to uphold the
values of his community. He is determined to distance himself from the weaknesses of his
father and achieves success through his strength, hard work, and warrior prowess. However,
Okonkwo's rigid adherence to traditional masculinity and his fear of weakness and failure
often leads to harsh actions and strained relationships within his family and community.

As European missionaries and colonial administrators begin to infiltrate Umuofia, bringing

The pre-colonial Igbo society and entrance of European colonial powers are depicted in the
Nigerian novel. The terrible effects of cultural disruption and loss of autonomy are
highlighted examining the conflict between Igbo culture and the forces of colonialism.

Throughout the novel, Achebe presents a nuanced portrayal of Igbo culture, highlighting its
richness, complexity, and the significance of its traditions. He explores themes of identity,
masculinity, the role of women in society, the power of storytelling, and the consequences of
unchecked ambition.

As tensions escalate between the Igbo people and the colonizers, Okonkwo takes drastic
action, leading to tragic consequences for himself and his community. The novel ultimately
raises questions about the destructive nature of imperialism, the complexities of cultural
assimilation, and the endurance of traditional values in the face of external pressures.

‘Things Fall Apart’ is a seminal work in African literature, celebrated for its powerful
storytelling, vivid depiction of characters and settings, and its exploration of the far-reaching
effects of colonialism on African societies. It remains a poignant and thought-provoking
examination of cultural collision and the repercussions of change.
Cultural conflict is a central theme in Chinua Achebe's novel ‘Things Fall Apart’. The novel
revolves around the clash between traditional Igbo culture and the arrival of European
colonialism, particularly British colonial rule, in Nigeria during the late 19th century.

The Igbo community of Umuofia, with its many cultural traditions, rituals, and beliefs, is
portrayed by Achebe in the narrative. The main character, Okonkwo, is a symbol of the Igbo
culture's strength, manhood, and honour. The encroachment of British colonial powers,
however, challenges and upsets this ancient way of life.

In Things Fall Apart the conflicts of culture are primarily centred around Okonkwo t s
individual conflicts first with ‘himself ’, then with his own culture and with the Western
intrusion. His individual conflicts reside in his own personality, which is fundamentally based
upon on action, for Okonkwo was a man of actions, a man of war. Unlike his father he could
stand the look of blood. Furthermore, he is very much obsessed by the notions of ‘manhood’
and ‘masculinity’.

Okonkwo the protagonist who personifies customs and values from the past. The conflict
between Igbo culture and the advent of European colonialization represented by the British
administrators and missionaries is examined. By analysing the cultural struggle between the
Igbo people and the colonists it sheds light on how traditional African civilizations were
disrupted and eroded during colonial authority. In Nigeria British colonialisation grew more
intense in the late 19th century and Christianity and western institutions were imposed. The
race for African territories and the creation of colonial administrations established this era aa
the pinnacle of the colonial endeavour in Africa. The resistance and cultural struggles that
resulted from the historical realities of this age are reflected in Achebe’s work.

The cultural conflict arises from several aspects firstly a clash of religions. The pantheon of
gods and ancestors is worshipped by the Igbo people as part of their traditional religious
rituals. The Igbo people's traditional religious beliefs conflicted with Christianity, which was
introduced by the British. The Igbo society became divided as a result of the entrance of
Christian missionaries because Christians detached themselves from their cultural heritage.
As the Igbo people encounter Christianity brought by the British missionaries, a form of
cultural hybridity takes place. Some individuals within the Igbo community convert to
Christianity, adopting new religious beliefs, practices, and rituals. This hybridization of
religious traditions creates a complex cultural landscape where traditional Igbo beliefs coexist
with Christian influences.

Bhabha introduces the concept of hybridity which he borrows from biological science. In this
context, hybridity refers to an organism produced by a cross between different organisms or
species within the colonial master or subject relationship hybridity becomes a lens through
which to examine identities and subjectivities. We can observe the concept of hybridity in the
clash between traditional Igbo beliefs and the introduction of Christianity by the British
colonialists.

A ‘Third Space’ is created when traditional Igbo beliefs and Christianity collide, facilitating
cultural translation. Christian rites and teachings are introduced to the Igbo people, who then
interpret and translate them within their cultural context. As a result of this translation
process, hybrid religious rituals and beliefs that combine aspects of traditional Igbo
spirituality and Christianity arise.

The conflict between Christianity and traditional beliefs causes characters in the novel, such
as Okonkwo's son Nwoye, to feel conflicted and uncertain about who they are. Nwoye's
conversion to Christianity creates a rift in society and signifies a change in who he is. He is
not completely integrated into Christianity nor a part of the traditional Igbo culture, thus he
must navigate between the two.

The arrival of Christianity undermines the power dynamics of the Igbo community. The
British colonialists utilize Christianity to maintain control and dominion over the Igbo
people. However, the incorporation of traditional ideas into Christianity allows for
subversion. The Igbo people adapt Christian practices to their unique cultural setting,
opposing complete integration and asserting their autonomy.
The collision between traditional beliefs and Christianity in ‘Things Fall Apart’ calls into
question binary oppositions like indigenous/foreign, native/colonizer, and ancestral
worship/monotheism. The narrative questions the concept that one religion is superior to
another and urges re-evaluation of the rigid categorizations imposed by colonization.

Bhabha's views about hybridity provide a useful framework for comprehending the
intricacies of cultural conflict and the transforming power of cultural encounters in
postcolonial contexts. They shed light on how marginalized communities navigate and
oppose the dominant discourses and power structures imposed on them.

Secondly, the imposition of the English language as the medium of communication by the
colonial administration contributes to the cultural conflict. The native Igbo language, with its
rich oral tradition and proverbs, is marginalized and devalued. This linguistic barrier creates a
sense of disconnection and loss of cultural identity for the Igbo people.

Bhabha's theory highlights the power dynamics involved in the imposition of a dominant
language. In ‘Things Fall Apart,’ the British colonial administration exploits the English
language to establish cultural and political supremacy over the Igbo people. This power
dynamic fosters a sense of cultural struggle and resistance.

The imposition of English results in a mixed language identity for the Igbo people. They are
torn between their native Igbo language and the English language that has been pushed upon
them. This hybridity leads to a collision of cultural values, as language is inextricably linked
to cultural manifestations, customs, and ways of seeing the world.

The use of English can result in the loss of indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions. The
Igbo people's language and cultural heritage risk being devalued or eroded when they are
forced into adopting English. This loss of indigenous knowledge adds to the sense of cultural
conflict and the fight for cultural preservation.

The introduction of English causes communication hurdles between the Igbos and the
colonial authorities. Language becomes a means of exclusion and control, as individuals who
do not speak English or have limited skills in the language are marginalized and
disadvantaged when dealing with colonial authority. This communication barrier exacerbates
cultural conflict and maintains power disparities.

Moreover, Language is a vital tool for expressing and maintaining cultural identity. The
imposition of English threatens the Igbo language's integrity, which is inextricably linked to
the Igbo people's customs, traditions, and worldview. As the Igbo language is marginalized
and eroded, there is a corresponding loss of cultural identity, resulting in cultural conflict and
the struggle to maintain indigenous history.

Language limitations impede efficient communication and understanding between Igbos and
colonial administrators. The English language becomes an instrument of exclusion and
control, with individuals who do not speak English isolated and disadvantaged. This
communication barrier exacerbates cultural conflict by preventing discourse, negotiation, and
idea exchange between the two populations.

For instance, Christian missionaries often give Igbo converts new names based on Christian
principles and beliefs. However, these names might not fully capture the cultural, ancestral,
and personal significance of the original Igbo names. This naming practice reflects a
miscommunication and a clash of understanding between the two languages and cultural
systems.

Furthermore, Language is a tool of power and control in colonial societies. The imposition of
English as the dominant language strengthens the power dynamic between colonizers and
colonized. The colonial authority utilizes English to assert power, marginalize local
languages, and impose Western cultural values. This power disparity contributes to cultural
conflict since the Igbo people oppose the loss of language autonomy and the elimination of
their cultural legacy. Achebe is of the view that language has a dual purpose it is a means to
communicate as well as a carrier of culture thus the imposition of a foreign language leads to
cultural erosion creating conflict.

When confronted with cultural conflict, language becomes a tool for resistance and cultural
preservation. Despite the imposition of English, the Igbo find methods to demonstrate their
agency and maintain their cultural identity through their native tongue. They utilize language
as a means to reject assimilation, regain their heritage, and proclaim their autonomy.

In Things Fall Apart the disparities in gender roles reflect a collision of cultural beliefs. The
Igbo society has its unique gender dynamics, with men and women having certain roles and
obligations. However, the British colonial presence introduces a new set of gender norms,
which question and disrupt traditional Igbo gender roles.

The novel depicts Igbo society as largely patriarchal, with men in positions of power and
control. Women are expected to fill conventional duties such as wives, mothers, and
caregivers. This patriarchal framework contradicts the shifting gender dynamics brought
about by colonialism, which exposes women to new ideas and opportunities. This collision
causes stress and conflict in the community as gender norms are challenged and renegotiated.

The protagonist, Okonkwo, represents the traditional Igbo ideals of manhood and strength.
He attempts to meet rigid gender stereotypes and worries about being viewed as weak or
effeminate. However, his tight devotion to traditional gender roles causes friction within his
own family and community. His severe treatment of his wives, as well as his unwillingness to
demonstrate tenderness or sensitivity, exacerbates cultural friction, particularly as his son
Nwoye begins to question and defy established gender standards.

Okonkwo's daughter, Ezinma, challenges traditional gender norms in a variety of ways. Her
mother, Ekwefi, refers to her as a ‘spirit child’ and holds her in great regard. Ezinma's
brilliance, boldness, and refusal to conform to stereotyped female roles threaten the
community's long-held standards. This causes tension and conflict since her nonconformity
raises concerns about the rigidity of gender roles and the possibility of change within Igbo
society.

The introduction of colonial missionaries introduces new views about gender roles, notably in
terms of education and empowerment for women. The missionaries' promotion of gender
equality and girls' education disturbs the Igbo community's conventional gender relations.
The contrast between traditional Igbo gender roles and colonial ideas of gender equality
exacerbates societal cultural strife.

Power imbalance also leads to cultural conflict. The overarching power dynamic in the novel
is the colonial domination of the Igbo community by the British colonial administration. The
colonizers exercise political, economic, and military power over the Igbo people, imposing
their own cultural norms, laws, and institutions. This power imbalance creates a fundamental
clash between the indigenous culture and the foreign colonial culture, leading to cultural
conflict as the Igbo people resist and navigate the effects of colonization.

The colonial administration exploits the Igbo people's economic resources, particularly by
extracting palm oil and other natural resources. This economic exploitation exacerbates the
power imbalance by denying the Igbo people authority over their land, resources, and
economic autonomy. Economic imbalances and unequal wealth distribution contribute to
cultural conflict when the Igbo people's traditional economic structures are eroded and their
way of life disrupted.

The introduction of Christianity by colonial missionaries produces power dynamics that fuel
cultural conflict. Christian missionaries used their religious beliefs and institutions to
establish domination and convert the Igbo people. The conversion process upends
conventional religious practices, beliefs, and social structures, resulting in disputes between
those who embrace the new religion and those who oppose it, causing cultural divisions and
tensions within the community.
Moreover , Language serves as an instrument of power in the colonial context. The colonial
administration's adoption of the English language marginalizes indigenous languages and
undermines traditional means of communication among the Igbo people. The language
barrier impedes efficient communication and comprehension, perpetuating power relations
and fuelling cultural conflict as Igbos seek to communicate their opinions, customs, and
concerns to colonial authority.

Altogether, Achebe shows his class as a modern African writer through the integration of
Literature with morality to bring the didactic quality in the novel Things Fall Apart. The
novel shows the tragic repercussions of Africa’s encounter with European missionaries.
Throughout the novel, Achebe explicitly delineates the cultural conflict between the Nigerian
Igbo community and British Europeans as catalysed by the force of colonialism. Achebe
describes a complex and harmonious culture before the European invasion of their land and
the subsequent conflict caused by the divergent demands of the two cultures, Achebe depicts
Igbo as self-governing people who risk losing their culture or accept to be influenced by
Europeans. If not they must stand and fight this European intrusion and preserve their cultural
heritage.

The novel portrays the clash between traditional Igbo culture and the forces of colonialism
highlighting the devastating consequences of cultural imperialism on African societies.
Achebe's work serves as a powerful critique of the damaging effects of cultural domination
and the importance of preserving indigenous traditions in the face of external pressures.