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Sunday | 12 January 2025 | Epaper

Things Fall Apart An innovative piece of African literature

Published : Saturday, 5 May, 2018 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1300
Naeem Ariyan
Best known for the novel Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe is the most influential African writer who is now considered as the originator of the African literature. Of all of Chinua's works, Things Fall Apart is the one read most often, has achieved the most critical response, examination and literary criticism.
In this novel Chinua duly depicted the picture of establishment of European Colonization in Africa and the collision between their cultures, beliefs, societies and religions through a fancied story. It is a set of dissimilar interactions between the colonial power and the colony and often between the colonists and the natives.
Toward the end of 19th century the European colonialism was practiced in Africa. Nigeria was one amongst them that met the visitors who were introducing their religion and culture. The European held a Eurocentric view of the world; firmly believing their culture to be superior.
At the time when Chinua born (1930), the European Colonialism was already established. But he didn't hold the exotic culture heartily, so he dared to evidence the variance and wrongful authorization of the colonists by Things Fall Apart. It is the fine example of the burial of Nigerian own society and culture and religion as well as African.
In the beginning of the novel, we see Okonkwo as a great warrior and high-ranked man who is much concerned and dedicated to his own culture, tradition and religion. He doesn't like any womanish signs and weak symptoms in men's character. He is fully devoted to his gods and religious traditions.
As a result of sudden accident, he has to compel to leave his village for 7 years to soothe the god he has offended. This is an important point to see that how much the tribe is devoted to their religion and gods. Staying in exile in Mbanta and returning from exile, he finds that his society is changed by white men.
Actually, the colonization and the conflict between the cultures start from there. When white missionaries come, the tribe thinks that they are ludicrous and will leave the place within few days. So they don't take them importantly. But since time has passed, the missionaries remain. They convert many of the natives to their new religion gently without any force rather with friendly conduct. This is the prime factor on which collision comes to grow.
Okonkwo, a warrior by nature, can't take it easily. He is not a man to surrender and to acknowledge the authorization of white men. So he mostly remonstrates on their actions. He despises any form of cowardice and advocates fight against the white men. Consequently, he beheads a white man but soon realizes that his tribes are not going to war with him. That is why he has finally hanged himself.
In point of fact, having some greatness, downfall of Okonkwo happens because of some faults. As his arrogance, pride, hubris and haughtiness are responsible for his tragic end. To show his fearlessness and bravery he does many errors and breaks the rules of tribe. As a puppet of his own actions and nature, his impulsive anger finally leads him to his doom.
The death of Okonkwo, however, is the death of Ibo culture, society and religion. Under the rules of white men, they tolerated their suppressions and adopted gradually their culture and religion. It represents the death of African culture itself. As in the history, African had been experienced under the colonization of European for a long time.
Nevertheless, we notify various differences between their cultures. The Ibo believe that who acts cowardly- is effeminate. For having this quality, Okonkwo doesn't like his son, Nwoye. Rather he likes his daughter, Ezinma, for being extra-ordinary characteristics.
The Ibo are polygamists and they have the tradition of bride price. They live a very simple life by planting yams. They are very fond in telling fables. They believe that illness is caused by supernatural beings and a woman who has difficulty in giving birth is rather cursed. Twins in Ibo society are seen as caused by evil spirits and have to be disposed it.
They have a system of government composed of masked tribal spirits called the egwugwu. These spirits judge any misdeed and clear up complexity. In the Ibo society men are dominant figure in the family.
In contrast, the European culture is fully different from them. They don't believe in any kind of supernatural beings. They go thoroughly the other ways. Owing to change Ibo's culture and beliefs, and believing their culture as foremost, Europeans started their mission.
Ultimately, it can be said that Things Fall Apart is the best specimen by which Chinua shows conflicts between cultures. To establish African literature widely, Things Fall Apart plays most vital role.
 
The writer is a student of Chittagong University, Dept. of English


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