Things Fall Apart Nwoye Identity

From Columbus to Magellan, exploring and conquering nations is a colossal part of Earth’s history. The primary goal is to circulate faith and acquire resources, causing Christianity and European influence to spread worldwide. In Things Fall Apart, the second and third sections of the book are all about how Western culture impacted Igbo society. Specifically, the character of Nwoye and his reactions to the introduction of European visitors, and the questioning of his identity thereafter shapes the overall theme that cultures have an inevitable death. Nwoye responds positively to the new Christian culture, consequently creating a conflict to the views of his native people. Okonkwo, the central character of the book, has harsh expectations of
his sons based on his distaste for his own father’s failed legacy according to the standards of the Igbo. This created a toxic environment for Nwoye in which he was so eager to stray from; thus causing the arrival of mysteriously peaceful Christians to be particularly intriguing because they offered an answer to the “persistent question that haunted his young soul” (141). He could not fathom why anyone would throw out twins or why his adopted brother was so brutally slain by his own father for the sake of the society (141). At first he questioned his thoughts of deviation from the clan, but ultimately abandons his family to follow the faith (145). Okonkwo became furious to the point of almost killing his son (145), and most elders were disappointed that Nwoye and others followed a religion that seemed utterly wrong. Nwoye’s identity was no longer a shadow of his father, but transformed into a young man with peace found in his Christ-like beliefs. Nwoye became so engrossed in his current character that he denies his physical identity by saying, “He is not my father,” the utmost dishonor for the Igbo (137). One definition of culture is a way of thinking or behaving.
The Igbo have a solid, seemingly unmovable set of moral and intellectual laws, including the belief of honoring ancestors and keeping order in a man’s house. But with the simple act of Nwoye drifting from these once inarguable truths, it goes to show that his cultural identity holds no water when put to the test. Achebe utilizes this plot for the intended effect of displaying that culture has an inevitable death. To further substantiate the claim, one must look at a short period of America’s existence from 1900 to 2000, where you see a multitude of changing ethics, standards and ways of life that prove the cultural cycle of life and death. For example, the conservative ideologies of women’s roles as homemakers only and the taboo of any talk about sex in the 50’s have since been ousted; this created a period of uncertainty and opposition conclusively leading to a transition away from usual customs, which is exactly what Nwoye’s storyline demonstrates. The response of Nwoye points to the fact that the everyday conventions of the Igbo were bound to disintegrate either way, just as some of America’s traditions have. Humans have a natural need of understanding, identity and freedom, all of which form a cycle that promotes the creation of new culture, and inducing the end of another. Nwoye exhibits the desire for these things: investigating what he does not know, belonging to a place where he gets to know himself and the
ability to run risks. These three components contribute to an instinctive, inescapable shift in culture. The shocking conclusion of Things Fall Apart symbolizes Nwoye’s vital role in the conflict, the dominant theme, and motive of the book. Achebe uses the separation of Nwoye from the Igbo as the tipping point for the downfall and eventual suicide of Okonkwo, the ideal figure representing all the Igbo stood for. The theme portrayed by these acts of betrayal is instrumental to the reason for writing. Achebe wrote the novel with the intent of showing what it is like to be the victim, and what it is like to be choked by everything you know to be true. It seems as if the novel revealed the final plea and the dying breath of the Igbo culture.