British Imperialism Things Fall Apart

Starting in the nineteenth century and ending through the years of British Imperialism, “White Man’s Burden” was a common term used by Europeans to state that the white race is superior to all races and were obligated to civilize all non-white people. When one is reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, they may ask themselves what makes the missionaries want to “help” others? Or what makes them think their way is better than the norm? Throughout the novel, readers follow the life of Okonkwo and his family as they learn to adapt to changing community. The British characters, Mr. Brown and Reverend Smith, constantly use the philosophy of “White Man’s Burden”; believing that it is their duty to “purify” the non-whites. However, each colonizer
Brown is indeed the most effective colonizer in Things Fall Apart, because he is evidently well respected unlike many of the other Englishmen. Although Mr. Brown believed that he needed to impose his religion on the villagers, they said that “[Mr. Brown] learned a good deal about the religion of the clan” (Achebe 181). He instead used their beliefs to connect and convert them peacefully instead of forcefully. Mr. Brown truly has good intentions, and he sincerely takes interest in the culture and religion of the villagers, which gives him a copious amount of respect and followers from the tribe. He even attempted to learn about the Igbo culture. For instance, “whenever Mr. Brown went to [the] village he spent long hours with Auknna in his obi talking through an interpreter about religion” (Achebe 179), although he was never able to convert Akunna, he showed interest in connecting with the villagers. Mr. Brown is one of the only missionaries who does not frown upon the Africans, or force them to convert. In his eyes, Africans were not the “White Man’s Burden”. Nevertheless, Mr. Brown’s willingness to learn about Igbo beliefs not only gains him respect among the villagers, but also an elephant tusk which is an Igbo symbol of
Brown” (Achebe 184), because he is loud and pushy. When condemning Mr. Brown’s practice of “compromise and accommodation” (Achebe 184), he quickly realizes his method is most definitely not working. He vacuously believes he can convert villagers by “force feeding” them and trying to disprove Igbo culture; but the foolish attack leads to the lack of support from his followers and the destruction of the church. It is obvious that Reverend Smith believes in the “White Man’s Burden” because he refuses to approach the villagers calmy; only assertive with no questions asked. He cannot put himself in the villagers shoes and realize he is pushing away potential followers and making things fall apart. He is overwhelmed with the fact that he cannot approach the church directly, but must take an extra step to learn about their