Christianity In Things Fall Apart, By Chinua Achebe

The novel, Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. The book deals with Okonkwo, as the main character, and how he approaches Christianity. The novel shows the impact of a western culture on the Ibo society and how the citizens have to adapt to the new changes and beliefs. Achebe, wanted to show readers that, culture and ideas do fall apart and diminish after a while. White men arrived in Africa as traders and missionaries. Is the Ibo culture civilized or barbaric? Was the arrival of the white missionaries in Things Fall Apart positive or negative? Each of these are different influences on the ibo culture by the christian religion.

Christianity influenced the ibo culture is so many ways. When the missionaries came they set different beliefs
When christianity first came about many Umuofians decided to convert to becoming christian, they felt more comfortable and free. When the Umuofians converted they had become know as the outcasts, outcasts were simply people with no title or imperfections. Such as the people that are mistreated in the ibo clan, the transfer to christianity gave these people dignity, this helped them find their true identity. The missionaries survived in the evil forest, saying that “We have been sent by the great god to ask you to leave your wicked ways and false gods and turn to him so that you may be saved when you die” (pg 220). When the missionaries survived in the evil forest where the unfortunate people, twins, and the “ogbanje” children are thrown, their power grew. After some time the ibo people started the think that converting to
The ibo rules apply to not only the tribe members but also the people who do not wish to convert to christianity. The imposition of an alien legal system confused the ibos and later adds up to the ibos hatred towards the missionaries. People in the ibo clan soon learned that the missionaries had not only brought religion but also government. Also with this the ibo people said the missionaries had built a place of judgment in Umuofia to protect the followers. When learning about the new missionaries they said they hung one man that killed a missionary. "Before the coming of the white men, decisions are made by the heads of the clan, the men with high titles. But now, these men have lost their place and there is the police to pass laws and give final verdicts and punishments. The new legal system proves to be neither just nor deserves praise". The ibo members do not fear the christians, nor the new legal system and its laws. With the building of the new christian church and the establishment of the new legal system with western laws, gradually the colonial government destroys traditional beliefs. Proving the western culture is interrupting the running of the ibo