Things Fall Apart Igbo Culture

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences," (Lorde). Reading books placed in different countries can open eyes to observe and appreciate other cultures and societies. In Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe in 1958 Igbo culture is introduced to the reader through setting precedents in the protagonist and the characters around him. Igbo culture, practiced by Okonkwo's tribe, contains polygamy, tolerates domestic abuse and celebrates traditional titles. Analyzing the text while considering modern culture can help to gain a new understanding and insight to the story.
Societal structure is determined by different means in Igbo culture than in modern society. In modern society one earns respect or idolization through popularity or amount of income one earns. While in Igbo culture respect is earned through “acquisitions of traditional titles” (Brooke). Titles earned from achievements based on mostly talent, fame can be easily learned or lost. Instead of going through college and getting a prestige job, Okonkwo “fame rested on solid personal achievements” (Achebe). Earning this fame throughout nine villages and getting social status and wives made Okonkwo a
Being a large component of the Igbo culture, the more wives someone contained the more they were respected. The general homestead in Igbo culture is " composed of a man, his wives and children" (Amadaiume 3). A very respected figure, like Okonkwo, "had three wives" (Achebe 1). Creating this precedent, leads to the objectification giving them a determinable value. This common practice in a society can support oppression and the view of woman as property. Gaining wives using material values versus values of human life can generate thoughts of determining worth based on if something is behaving the way you want it to. Value people for things other than