Things Fall Apart Imperialism Essay

In our historical past we have come to witness the imperialistic needs of greater, stronger societies. Few books accurately portray the idea of cultural takeover as well as Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The scenario has been repeated time and time again, where a new, influential, powerful force has destroyed and oppressed the culture of a native land. Not only does Things Fall Apart tell the story of Umuofia’s downfall, but it accurately portrays the devastation that occurs in the battle of primitive versus advanced ideals. One of the many historical events related to imperialism is the pioneering to North America in 1620. While major differences between both events are evident, the basic intention of both of the advanced cultures is identical. The takeover of the Ibo tribe’s primal culture began in the same manner that the Europeans planted their “seed” in the native land. First seeming harmless, the pilgrim’s official disembarkation in Plymouth rock was their introduction to the Native American culture. Because of their small size and harmless nature, the Native Americans had no reason to see the pilgrims as a threat. The Ibo tribe is somewhat hostile against the new missionaries when they
In the battle of primitive violence versus peaceful Christianity, the primal, barbaric culture cannot coincide with the morals and ethics of a new, expanding society. The Americans forced out the Natives out of the land they once owned-an event that did not parallel events in Things Fall Apart- for the sole purpose to create their own society. Though the missionaries in the novel were able to persuade the Ibo people to convert to Christianity, the last cinder of the traditional Ibo culture disappeared with the death of Okonkwo. Things Fall Apart accurately represents the colonization that several cultures have succumbed to several times, as history will