How Does Okonkwo In Things Fall Apart
Why do some of the villagers--even those who are not converts to Christianity--welcome the British? Note the recurrence of the phrase "falling apart" in the last sentence of the chapter."
Some of the villagers welcome the British because they are bringing in business, education, and new ideas. A fresh new face is welcoming to a culture of such tradition. People are attracted to the schools that are teaching how to read, write, become court messengers, clerks, and teachers. Palm oil and kernel sales flourish making the British beneficial economically. The new religion is attractive to some tribe members and Mr. Browns preaching has touched some villagers. The British have showed no initial threat thus far and have been peaceful. With no …show more content…
Once known as the strongest, most honorable tribesmen, the white man comes and claims his title. The other clan members begin to change when the British come, especially his own son. Okonkwo has much trouble dealing with this and is often depressed. He sees his old tribesmen as weak, alike his own father who his despised. The one thing Okonkwo hates the most is weakness he compares this to being like a women (a great insult). As the novel proceeds, Okonkwo has attempted to remain strong against this sudden tide of change, but he seems to be the only one keeping his ground. When he kills the colonial official in the end, it is his last attempt to 'save' his village from their own lack of strength and influence of the white man. He has no one to support him and in desperation, chooses the most dishonorable death possible according to his own culture, suicide, instead of allowing himself to be handed over to the white man which would be a disgrace to his beliefs. The last paragraph is the District Commissioner reflecting on the events and thinking about how his book will be filled with detail. He determines that cutting Okonkwo from the tree is a bad decision, but he does this anyway. He is aware his methods are experimental. I think the ending is justified because it is exactly how I would expect Okonkwo to react. He stuck to his own mind and remained independent and strong willed. He never became a follower and remained a leader as he had planned. He died how he felt would create the most impact and I believe he
Some of the villagers welcome the British because they are bringing in business, education, and new ideas. A fresh new face is welcoming to a culture of such tradition. People are attracted to the schools that are teaching how to read, write, become court messengers, clerks, and teachers. Palm oil and kernel sales flourish making the British beneficial economically. The new religion is attractive to some tribe members and Mr. Browns preaching has touched some villagers. The British have showed no initial threat thus far and have been peaceful. With no …show more content…
Once known as the strongest, most honorable tribesmen, the white man comes and claims his title. The other clan members begin to change when the British come, especially his own son. Okonkwo has much trouble dealing with this and is often depressed. He sees his old tribesmen as weak, alike his own father who his despised. The one thing Okonkwo hates the most is weakness he compares this to being like a women (a great insult). As the novel proceeds, Okonkwo has attempted to remain strong against this sudden tide of change, but he seems to be the only one keeping his ground. When he kills the colonial official in the end, it is his last attempt to 'save' his village from their own lack of strength and influence of the white man. He has no one to support him and in desperation, chooses the most dishonorable death possible according to his own culture, suicide, instead of allowing himself to be handed over to the white man which would be a disgrace to his beliefs. The last paragraph is the District Commissioner reflecting on the events and thinking about how his book will be filled with detail. He determines that cutting Okonkwo from the tree is a bad decision, but he does this anyway. He is aware his methods are experimental. I think the ending is justified because it is exactly how I would expect Okonkwo to react. He stuck to his own mind and remained independent and strong willed. He never became a follower and remained a leader as he had planned. He died how he felt would create the most impact and I believe he