Things Fall Apart
In Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe there are several moments throughout the novel in which there are changes in social attitudes and traditions. In particular, male vs. female and change vs. traditions are just some of the prominent themes within the novel where Achebe wishes to modify these changes. On the other hand, there are certain techniques such as the use of language, point of view, and historical setting that the author uses to influence the audience’s viewpoint of the novel. To begin with, in Things Fall Apart, readers are able to see that there is a continuing conflict between women and men within the Igbo society. Throughout history, women have always been portrayed as being inferior to men. In the Igbo society, women
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Okonkwo himself represents traditions, in which he has rank within the Igbo society, holds certain beliefs of reputation, and manliness with high confidence. Once his surrogate brother came into place, they had grown on each other and began to do everything together. Ikemefuna was taken from his homeland, and Okonkwo was ordered to take him in as one of his sons. Okonkwo really appreciated Ikemefuna’s presence and had really become very fond of him by helping Nwoye to become manly. However, when the Chielo comes, Okonkwo is forced to kill him and really does not want to. Yet, because of his traditional morals, he knows he must obey the Igbo’s traditions. Once this happens Nwoye not only looks at his father differently, but the society as well. After Ikemefuna’s death, Nwoye begins question the aspects of Igbo’s society causing him to join the Christians later on. Towards the end of the novel Obierika and Okonknwo questions the Christian’s presence by saying: “Does the white man understand our custom about land? … How can he when he does not even speak our tongue? But he says that our customs are bad; and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs bad” (Achebe 176). This is where change came about; the people that were once part of the Igbo society began to convert over to Christianity. These people now have a change in their beliefs, and
Okonkwo himself represents traditions, in which he has rank within the Igbo society, holds certain beliefs of reputation, and manliness with high confidence. Once his surrogate brother came into place, they had grown on each other and began to do everything together. Ikemefuna was taken from his homeland, and Okonkwo was ordered to take him in as one of his sons. Okonkwo really appreciated Ikemefuna’s presence and had really become very fond of him by helping Nwoye to become manly. However, when the Chielo comes, Okonkwo is forced to kill him and really does not want to. Yet, because of his traditional morals, he knows he must obey the Igbo’s traditions. Once this happens Nwoye not only looks at his father differently, but the society as well. After Ikemefuna’s death, Nwoye begins question the aspects of Igbo’s society causing him to join the Christians later on. Towards the end of the novel Obierika and Okonknwo questions the Christian’s presence by saying: “Does the white man understand our custom about land? … How can he when he does not even speak our tongue? But he says that our customs are bad; and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs bad” (Achebe 176). This is where change came about; the people that were once part of the Igbo society began to convert over to Christianity. These people now have a change in their beliefs, and