Imperialism In Things Fall Apart

Imperialism is a weapon. The policy of imperialism directs towards expanding a country to create an empire. One historical period known as the Age of Imperialism extends from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Many countries were losing their land to another country. As a result, an imperialist country can be enriched. Postcolonial studies is an occurring or existing period after the end of colonial rule. Two examples of postcolonial art would be the book Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, and the movie Ip Man, directed by Wilson Yip. Things Fall Apart is a narrative, told from the point of view of colonized people, about European colonization of Africa. Ip Man is a movie based on a true story in China that falls into the time
Okonkwo is a very strict man when it comes to their religion. He does not like the men who are “women.” He said, “An Umuofia man does not refuse a call, he may refuse to do what he is asked; he does not refuse to be asked.” (Achebe, 134) Okonkwo had a useless father who had feminine characteristics. In fear of femininity, Okonkwo works hard and tries to be as masculine as possible. He becomes very successful and achieves great titles such as leader of the tribe. Okonkwo respected those who were strong. He detest those who were weak. Like Okonkwo, Ip Man was well known in his town. He was a wealthy man and didn’t have many worries except his bad connection with his family. Ip Man’s wife didn’t like how Ip Man was always either fighting duels with others or doing something related to martial arts. She wanted Ip Man to connect with his son more because his son was at a very young age. Ip Man cared for his family, yet he still valued martial arts. There was a scene where the Chinese officer said something like the times are changing and martial arts is just an irrational behavior. Ip Man replied, “We martial artists are energetic. Sometimes we can be a little loud, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t civilized people. We’re all civilized people.” Ip Man’s response explained how martial arts doesn’t change the fact that they still shared the same
The Igbo tribes have conflicts with the Europeans because they don’t agree in the belief of only one god. Akunna said to the missionary, “You say that there is one supreme God who made heaven and earth, we also believe in Him and call Him Chukwu. He made all the world and the other gods.” (Achebe, 164) This quote denys Europeans’ belief of only one god. China was also being invaded by a different country. China was invaded by Japan not to spread a religion, but to expand their territory. In Ip Man, the region Foshan was captured by Japan. Foshan fell into poverty after the Japanese invasion. They both tried to protect their village or town by doing what they thought was best, like Okonkwo killed the court’s messenger and Ip Man fought with the Japanese commander. Okonkwo and Ip Man didn’t get assimilated by the other country’s influence into their culture. They both held onto their culture firmly like how Ip Man said to the Japanese commander, “I’m just a Chinese man.” The reason why Ip Man said that was because he defeated ten of the Japanese commander’s men and the commander took interest in him and wanted to know his