Igbo Metaphysics in Chinua Achebe ’s "Things Fall Apart" Author(s): Jude Chudi Okpala Reviewed work(s): Source: Callaloo‚ Vol. 25‚ No. 2 (Spring‚ 2002)‚ pp. 559-566 Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3300586 . Accessed: 14/11/2012 22:35 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use‚ available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps
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Things Fall Apart-Universal Appeal Confronted with a global conscious filled with hazy‚ negative conception of the African reality‚ appalled with such one sided works as Heart of Darkness and Mr. Johnson‚ Chinua Achebe determined in 1958 to "inform the outside world about Ibo cultural traditions"1. One can appreciate then‚ Achebe ’s inclusion of universal themes and concepts in is novel as a means of bridging the cultural gap with his audience and reiterating that Africans are in the end‚ human
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twenty two miles apart‚ are the birthplaces of two extremely different authors both culturally and age wise. Although very different‚ these authors‚ Chinua Achebe‚ author of Things Fall Apart‚ and William Shakespeare‚ author of Macbeth‚ both wrote popular stories in which the protagonist’s downfall is caused by a common flaw‚ a misconception of masculinity. To Okonkwo and Macbeth‚ masculinity equates to power and power equates to success. Okonkwo‚ the protagonist in Things Fall Apart‚ vows to be nothing
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As the acclaimed author of Things Fall Apart‚ Chinua Achebe once said‚ “Art has a social purpose [and] art belongs to the people… The total life of a man is reflected in his art” (Popova). These words hold true in Ibo culture‚ for whom the presence of art is essential. The tribe often uses masks‚ carvings‚ and tattoos as forms of artistic expression (“Igbo”). Tattoos are essential to Ibo culture as they convey the tribe’s identity. Yams signify honor and masculinity‚ traits the Ibo idolize. Achebe
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Creatures Historically Africa has been partly constructed by journals‚ books‚ etc. written by white hand. It is believed by many that one cannot truly talk about the land‚ unless they have lived the land. Two particular novels and oral epics that depict this perspective‚ the perspective of the colonized‚ are Things Fall Apart‚ written by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe‚ and Sundiata by author Djibril Tamsir Niane. At the end of Things Fall Apart‚ the District Commissioner‚ who was the British colonial
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century and ending through the years of British Imperialism‚ “White Man’s Burden” was a common term used by Europeans to state that the white race is superior to all races and were obligated to civilize all non-white people. When one is reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe‚ they may ask themselves what makes the missionaries want to “help” others? Or what makes them think their way is better than the norm? Throughout the novel‚ readers follow the life of Okonkwo and his family as they learn to
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Change can be looked on in different ways. It can be seen as undermining to what is already established. However‚ it can also be seen as progressive or the path of the future. In Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe these views are shown. The negative view is seen by characters like Okonkwo‚ where the establishments being undermined are the huts or the overall way of life. The positive view is seen by characters like Nwoye‚ where he is drawn by the acceptance of Christianity. Either way change is definite
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Imperialism is “the policy‚ practice‚ or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation.” (Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary‚ 1999) Anti-imperialism is the counteract of imperialism. Achebe’s novel‚ “Things Fall Apart is an example of anti-imperialism because he writes about how the village of Umofia was forced to change and conform. He shows us the resist to European imperialism through the emotions and thought of Okonkwo‚ the leader of the Umuofia village. Okonkwo fought until the
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novels Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Antigone by Sophocles‚ this idea is portrayed perfectly. The way that Achebe developed Ezinma throughout the novel‚ I believe‚ is what was used to show readers the softer and gentler side of Okonkwo. In conjunction with that‚ Sophocles used Ismene to be the more tame and obedient side of Antigone. Through the descriptions and ways that these two female characters affect the main characters in each of these novels‚ Ezinma from Things Fall Apart and Ismene
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Things Fall Apart Analytical Essay Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart” is the story of the Igbo culture on the verge of a revolution; it shows the collision of the Igbo people’s traditional way of life and the “winds of change” that are introduced by British colonials who have recently moved to their region. Within all of the confusion and discomfort throughout the Igbo people who are unsure of how to react to these new cultural practices and beliefs‚ is one of the main characters‚ Okonknwo
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