Effects Of Colonization In Things Fall Apart

Colonization has changed the world for better or for worse. The effect of colonization is seen in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Chinua Achebe uses the conflicts between Okonkwo and his tribe against White colonizers by comparing and contrasting Religion, Customs, and Government. These conflicting views are viewed after a long section which focuses on Ibo culture and how Okonkwo lives in it. Once the English arrive this perspective soon changes. With the introduction of Christianity, Courts, and Humanism. The culture soon falls apart. Religion is core theme during the latter part of the book. Christianity and its effects can be seen almost immediately when Nwoye first hears the missionaries. When first hearing the missionaries, Achebe describes Nwoyes mind as, “drops of frozen rain melting on the dry palate of the
Okonkwo has a clear view of this tribal government as he describes titles. Titles are a major status of power in pre-colonial Ibo society. When Okonkwo returns home after his exile, he finds the new colonial government already a rival to the established societal order. Okonkwo says, “They had built a court where the district commissioner judges cases in ignorance.” Okonkwo’s hostility to the new government is mainly caused by the new governments indirect interference with Okonkwo’ s process to become a high leader in the tribe. This mixed with the continued hostility with the church, causes Okonkwo and other leaders to be arrested by colonial forces. During his time in jail he describes being beaten and not fed, causing Okonkwo to “Choke on hate.” When the leaders are finally released, they meet in the marketplace to discuss what to do. Eventually messengers of the court attempt to end the meeting, causing Okonkwo to behead one of them with his machete. This conflict, and the lack of the Tribe of wanting to fight back, causes Okonkwo to hang