Things Fall Apart Quote Analysis

“Until the Lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” Hearing this quote challenges one’s thinking because even if they think they know the other side of the story, or the hunt, a primary source is the only way to actually gain the perspective of the lion. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, was written not with a protagonist or antagonist but with first person perspective of each character as he or she has either succeeded or gone through bad events causing the story to have no real antagonist. In the beginning Okonkwo was the main character and was portrayed as a good person but a strong temper who only wanted to better his village. However as the chapters went on he is seen as an angry too quick to temper man who doesn't respect any of his fellow clan
members unless they are just as rich and abusive as he is. Then the church is added into the story line and with it comes Nwoye’s defiance. Through his father's perspective he is a horrible son for leaving his for the new religion. But in Nwoye's eyes his leaving was forced because of Okonkwo and how he could not handle being beaten like he previously was. Last but not least some the church leader Mr Smith and his conflict with Okonkwo. As Okonkwo burns and destroys his church he calmly and silently watches and waits for justice to take its place and act for him. So by the end there truly is no antagonist as all the main characters are shown under two lights.
Mr Smith and Okonkwo are practically the same people just with different religions even though they despise each other and never gain either one's respect.
Mr Smith is a prominent member in his religion and community as he only fights to better his cause by destroying the other clan within the community. That other clan being the clan of Umuofia, has Okonkwo fighting the same way Mr. Smith is with violent actions and diplomatic decisions up until the end when Okonkwo kills a missionary and himself. Both Okonkwo and Mr. Smith hold themselves above everyone else in their community and except themselves to do extremely well in whatever they do. This is shown how both of them are so relentless with their cause and will stop at nothing to accomplish it. Even if it means desecrating a major religious figure by ripping off his mask or burning down the opposing church compound. One can clearly see how Chinua Achebe has added Mr. Smith because if the new religion did not have a temper ridden impulsive character like Okonkwo which would have made it seem to one sided in the fact that the church would start to be seen as the only good religion because it only had good
people.