Things Fall Apart Change

“Change before you’re forced to change” (Goodell). The historical novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe revolves around Okonkwo and his struggles with adapting to the new cultural collision that is presented to his village with the arrival of the colonist. The novel starts off by explaining the daily life of Okonkwo and his village prior to his exile and eventually leads into his accidental murder of a clansman which results in his exile. As the novel progresses, colonists arrive in Okonkwo’s village and change the culture there to their own, much to the dissatisfaction of Okonkwo; however, he attempts to stop the colonists by killing one of them only to create more trouble for his clan and ends up taking his own life. Numerous characters in the Things Fall Apart experience a change in character as the novel progresses, specifically Nwoye. At the beginning of the novel, Nwoye is perceived as a disappointment to his father for lacking the masculine qualities of a man and these expectations eventually lead his character to change as the novel progresses. Towards the end, Nwoye converts to Christianity much to the displeasure of his father and leaves his village to study their culture. Through thorough examination of Nwoye’s development throughout the novel, Achebe develops the theme that one should live life the way he or she desires and not what
others want for them. From the beginning of the novel, Nwoye is seen as a disappointment to his father due to his similarities to Okonkwo’s father. As a result, Okonkwo expects very little of Nwoye and worries about his future in the tribe where appearing masculine is essential. While having a discussion with Obierika regarding Obierika’s son, Okonkwo claims that he is “worried about Nwoye” and that “his two younger brothers are more promising” (65). Nwoye continues to try and live up to his father’s expectations much to his displeasure since results were scarce. This need for acceptance in Nwoye’s character develops the theme of the novel since his character wants to please Okonkwo, but at the same time, wants to not. These expectations eventually begin to place Nwoye in a state of conflict as to why he must follow these them. In addition, as the novel progresses, Ikemefuna’s death places a heavy toll on Nwoye’s psyche as he was not sure why he had to be murdered. This mindset eventually influences him in converting to Christianity when the priests arrive in the village to preach about their religion. During the public preaching, the Ibo tribe ridicules the priests for their strange ideas that conflict with their own beliefs; however, the priests’ ideas baffle Nwoye’s mind. Nwoye was not captivated by the logic behind the foreign religion, but the “poetry of the new religion, something felt in the marrow” (147). This new foreign religion provides the answers that Nwoye desired regarding his questionings of Ikemefuna’s death and the Ibo culture in general and as a result, he converts to learn more about it. This change that Nwoye decides to partake dramatically defines his change in character as he decides to not live life the way his father wishes, but rather how he wants to. This change in character helps develop the theme of the novel since Nwoye decides to change for his own good and explore something foreign. Furthermore, towards the end of the novel, Nwoye visits his father’s home much to his displeasure to find out that Okonkwo does not want him to be a Christian and attempts to choke him to death. However, his uncle saves his life by telling Okonkwo to release him and Nwoye leaves Okonkwo’s home. As he was leaving, he felt “happy to leave his father” and would “return later to his mother and his brothers and sisters and convert them to the new faith” (152). This event in the novel shows Nwoye’s growth as a character in refusing to live the way his father wishes him to and rather live his life his own way. It also connects to the theme of the novel and supports it since Nwoye now sees his choice as a correct one and changes for the betterment of himself. Throughout the novel, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Nwoye’s character development greatly develops the theme of the novel which that people fear change, but change may be for the better.
Towards the beginning of the novel, Nwoye is fearful of changing himself and not being able to live up to his father’s expectations; however, as the story progresses, Nwoye comes to terms that he is his own man and lives his life the way he wants to, much to the reluctance of his father. As a result, he converts to Christianity which he views as a positive choice to him since he is now free from his father’s
expectations.